Hi All,
I'm interested in getting a SUP Board, it looks like too much fun to be missing out on. I'm a total newbie to the sport and have been searching a few forums and looking at some boards, I really like the look of the Naish boards and they seem to keep their resale value so i'm tossing up whether I should get a Naish 11'4 or 11'6 to start off on.
I weigh around 95kg and am 6ft tall. I would like to use the board on both flatwater and eventually surf. I was initially drawn to the volume of the 11'6 and thought this seems like a good board to start out on. Since then I have spoken to a couple of people who reckon the 11'4 will have more longevity for me and that the 11'6 is an out of date design.
How much more of a learning curve is there with an 11'4 over an 11'6.
Cheers,
Dan
Hi Dan
At 95kgs they should both be quite easy to learn on but if you want to go towards the surf then go the 11'4 it's a fun board. The 11'6 is a big board and it is fun but you will more than likely out grow it and going the 11'4 you wont have to up grade for quite some time.
Jacko
I'm 6ft tall and was about 90kg when I started on an 11'4 Naish, you wont have any trouble with this board.
Yep I'm 90kg and didn't have any trouble learning on the 11'4" Naish Nalu, I did fall off a few times the first couple of days in the waves but within a few sessions it was no worries, within a couple of months I bought a Jimmy Lewis Mano.
Whilst my JL is my go to board now, I won't be selling my Naish any time soon because it is still a fun board in the waves, you can catch waves soooo easy and it is great for flatwater cruising.
No brainer go the 11.4 Naish better board than the 11.6,however at your weight you could go for a 10.6
it will surf better and still flatwater cruise nicely
Have a look at the PSH range
I'd say go for the 11'6 as you can use it for social racing and cruising as well + catch your first waves. The 11'4 is a more focused waveboard for bigger guys which won't have nearly the same glide.
When you've progressed sufficiently and thinking of buying a more dedicated wave board, I'd plan to keep the 11'6 for cruising, racing, teaching mates on.
2nd hand 11'6's are hens teeth over here because everyone keeps them for those reasons.
The design may be a few years old but there are few if any boards out there that matches the stability, glide and waveriding abilities all in one like the 11'6.....
I'd also say go for the 11'4" especially now that you can get it in the cheaper AST model.. but.. if you plan to paddle two up with small children or with large pets I'd say go for the 11'6".. Both are great boards.. 
DJ
Definately go the 11-4",still got mine, even though i have better surfing style sup's i still jump on the old girl,on slow fat waves it's alot of fun.And it's still a reasonable paddler,i range between 85 to 90 kg,good luck and have some fun.
Both boards are awesome. I personally prefer the 11.6 even though it is a monster of a board but I had some amazing surfs on mine and its great if you ever wanna put the kids or dog on with you. If you intend to go on and surf more then I suppose the 11.4 would make more sense though but personally if I had both in front of me and had to choose which one I wanted I would choose the 11.6 (and I am a lightweight)
Hi Hex
I am new to SUP and went for the 11'6 Naish. I am also 6ft and 95kg.
Firstly, I love the board, it makes feel like i have SUPed for ages, which i haven't.
For me I see it as the board i will keep the longest as an all rounder / family board which will always go on the car when me and the kids go down to the beach ( had a classic sunday afternoon the other week with my 3 yr old on the front of the board ). The board also floated us very easily with my little girl only getting wet when she fell off.
As a responsible dad and SUPer i can report her $49 Dora the Explorer floation jacket for Kmart did its job very well with my daughter wanting more trips on "Daddies Boat" after falling in.
However, as i get better and my desire to improve continues more specialist boards will find their why into the garage and go on the car when i am either looking for waves or heading off on a down winder. But the Naish will always have its place as the cruisy down the beach board which will come out when kids, friends want a go.
I am sure it does small waves and other thinks very well i just haven't tried that yet.
So for me personally a big easy board i can keep long term, use with mates, kids, and then add to that with more specialist boards later was the way to go for me.
Mick
