Hi.
I am 80 kg dry, usually ride 6'8" board.
Now looking for a long board for small waves.
Did hear good things about McCoy boards.
So not sure whether to buy standard 9' - 9'4" long board ( usually around 23"wide and 2.5"thick) or McCoy 8'2"/22"/3.5".
Will the McCoy 8'2" be catching waves as well as 9'4"??
Even if it thick because it's shourte i presume it should be a bit easier to turn??
Pls, any thoughts would be appreciated as i have no experience with long boards.
Thanks.

The deffining question is do you want a Longboard or something a bit more like a "mini Mal" (though you can't really call a McCoy a Mini Mal).

A longboard should catch waves sooner - having said that it's got a bit (a rather large bit) to do with how hard and fast your willing to paddle.

As for turning, longboards just take a bit more finness and foot movement to the right spot to get them to turn quickly, but you'll never rip it around like your shortboard.

My partner rides a 9'1" Walden Wahine, and it seems to go pretty good for her.

Longboards don't rip, but the rider can


not taking the pi-s but imho you can ride it like a shortboard

mac

McCoy boards, especially the Nuggets have a lot of bouyancy which gives them that extra wave catching ability.
This means that you can catch waves earlier and still treat them as a shorter board. They are very good when you need a bit of short(er) board maneuverability(?) especially in beach breaks.

Having said that, my McCoy is currently on the shelf and I am riding a 9'3" McTavish Fireball. Unbelievably loose for a board of that size. The McCoy does come out to play at times.

So, the question is how do you want to surf?

The McCoy takes a bit of getting used to but still a good board. The bigger boards are initially easier to handle but as time goes on you get a feel for what they can do.

Select to expand quote

62mac said...

Longboards don't rip, but the rider can


not taking the pi-s but imho you can ride it like a shortboard

mac

Show-off

But it's a freaking good shot.

Is that MacTav a triple stringer or are they just the graphics?

There the real deal obct

I guess if you're going to play like that, then you probably need them.

I recently had a crack on my mates 8'6 Southpoint board on the weekend, giving him my 7'2 hybrid for a few sets. As I am picking up my 9'6 Fireball next week thought i would try a bigger board than my 7'2. Wow! It was so good really felt that was the way I wanted to surf. Loved the early takeoff and using foot placement to get the board going. Had no problem ripping a few nice bottom turns and even had a crack at the closeout section so I reckon just about any board can be ridden loose if you give it the time. I cant wait to get the fireball out and get to work on it!

Mate, You really need 2 more boards to add to the quiver and cover all bases....

Personally I would avoid a 9' McCoy and go for one around 6'10 -7'4". These boards have heaps of volume so you can surf shorter than you might think you need.

A McCoy style nugget, or some McTavish carver etc. could serve you very well for beachies etc. and a nice slender 9'1+ length longboard for points etc. Heaps of shapers design other user friendly boards nowadays (like the McCoy) - the choices are endless.

Why not aim to pick up 2 second hand boards in good nic?.... you'll be happy in all conditions and will pick up more waves overall.

My quiver includes a kneeboard, 7'4" Stubby and 9'1" mal plus an SUP. I have 90% of conditions covered.

Happy Hunting!