I've got a 14' x 29" DC cocomat which I downwind, BOP, ocean and flat race. But when I try to surf it it just doesn't want to turn, just wants to charge down the face of the wave. It's great fun until there's someone in the way and I have to bail because I can't go around them.
What would a 100kg 6' bloke transition to for waves up to head high that has never surfed before? I was thinking maybe a Sunova 12' Search or an Atlantis 12' Venom or should I go shorter? Don't want to do tricks, just want the stoke and preferably out wide and away from the line-up.
Any advice/experience would be appreciated?

If you want something for waves and getting better at turning, I would go a surf shape, higher volume 10'-11' traditional style Sup. Heaps out there to choose from as most manufacturers do this type of board, so try to demo a few to see how you go with different widths and stability.

There's a good chance your turning problem will be mostly because of the fin.. and you'll also find technique has something to do with it..

I've a 14' DC/nsp which is great fun surfing small stuff, your never going to carve big bottom turns or smash the lip on it, but they will turn, just get on the back of it.

Technique? So I can't blame it on boxy parallel rails as an excuse to get yet another board? Damn, oh well - back on the water.

Surfing a 14' can be done, but requires some surfing experience, basically you need to walk to the tail.

As others said, a 10' surf shape would be a good board, 11'-12' would paddle a tad faster but will be harder to surf (avoiding nosedives in normal waves). On the other hand, a 12' board will allow you to go to gentle barely breaking waves without any surfer on them, if you have these kind of spots at hand, like the waves often seen in DavidJohn videos.

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Husat said..
Technique? So I can't blame it on boxy parallel rails as an excuse to get yet another board? Damn, oh well - back on the water.

You can blame the board! You should get another one for the surf! 14 footers really are really difficult to surf well compared to dedicated surf shapes. The boards you mention are nice, but I'd still suggest a high volume surf shape (or a cruiser that is aimed at also being a surf-oriented design).
Just for example, some of the Blue Planet range looks good... www.blueplanetsup.com.au/ala-moana
There are many others out there too. I've dealt with SurfFX (Gold Coast) and Ocean Addicts (Sunny Coast) and those guys can be trusted to give good advice re boards (at least in terms of what they stock).
Get another one!

Remember this a 14 ft board you are talking about. To turn the board you need a combination of the right sized fin, plant your back foot as far back on the tail as possible and a fairly soft/fullish wave or you will eat it big time. With practice it is very possible to do.

Practice often

Come on Husat , think about it. As Wazza says this is a 14' board, its not going to turn unless you know how to do it and the conditions are right.
If you want to turn a SUP get one for that will.
I occasionally surf my 14' Glide, but usually when returning from an open ocean paddle, its easy enough to get on a wave but then you have to be well down the back, plant the paddle and lean hard to get any sort of turn out of it. it is fun though.
Someone said practice, that is my advice too.
Practice makes perfect.

ET.

Yeah I have a similar problem with my JP 8'10 Surf. I am getting dropped at my local races. Is it me? Please help.