Or should I get hooked on Speeed?
I have a Sunova Soul 9'5 which I love, but would like to go down in size.
The Soul is a great all rounder and does just about everything but due to my size, I'd like to be able to get my rear foot to the tail a bit quicker.
I've recently demo'ed the Flow 8'7, the Speeed 8'10 and the Hypernut (9' and 8'6).
Ideally I'd like single board quiver but maybe thats not going to be realistic. (unless I just stay put with the Soul and learn to dance a bit better!)
I normally surf short shore breaks but sometimes point breaks and I go out in just about any conditions.
My appraisal so far is the Flow 8'7 rides like a short board and is fairly stable but seems to yaw a bit when catching a wave. (would probably consider the 8'10 but couldn't demo one).
The Speeed is not so stable however but really shoots down the line. I can make sections easy. I love the ride but it seems to be a board for clean days. Would like one but maybe not as my only board.
The Hypernut is looking like a contender though for the single board quiver.
Although its not as fast as the speeed, it is very stable and turns good enough for me from the tail or the middle.
And I can get my back foot to the tail easy.
The 9' (2017) was too big so tried the 8'6 (2016).
In head high surf - found it easy to pick up the wave - not much yaw and handled a couple of late take offs without pearling.
Handles chop well but maybe not as good at punching through the whitewater on the way out as the others.
I like the 2017 Starlite construction but the Smurf blue is not my ideal colour.
The 2016 board has a terrible handle though and is hard to carry as it is nose heavy.
I think this has been addressed in the 2017 models and the 8'6 has slimmed down a bit.
Aahhh, the agony and ecstasy of board selection! 
I have the 8'7 Flow and 8'10 Speed, but I view them the other way round. I find the Speed very stable and the Flow just a bit tippy (I am 93 kg). Did you test them in comparable conditions?
As you say, the Speeed zips along, and you can even get up toward the nose, but you have to stretch way back to do fun turns. On bigger/faster waves I can do it "fine".
The Flow is more fun to me. (I am in FL right now on an 8'10 Flow thanks to Mike aka mdsurf!) The shape and length make it easier to get into position for fun turns. But the wave has to be steeper to catch it (at my weight), and you have to develop your paddling style so the extra yaw isn't a problem.
I haven't tried the 'nut but I have a new 7' 116L Raptor waiting at home - can't wait to try it. I think I may have to re-learn how to sup surf though.
I think we have to accept that there is no such thing as a one-sup quiver 
my two bob's worth... similarly was looking for a bit of an all rounder that can surf responsively but also not be too hard on my body (am supping due to back and shoulder problems making prone surfing too hard). I have a 7 10 deep minion for perfect conditions and love it, wanted something a bit easier for rougher conditions etc, something that i can cruise a bit on but that surfs well too... tried an 8 8 speed, loved it in certain conditions, bit more of a challenge than I was after for this board . picked up a stretch deep minion at 8 4 and am loving it, much more forgiving than the speed (bit more volume, not as thin rails, some gives and takes of course), the minion turns much easier (the speed carves great turns though and really carries speed through cutbacks, but the minion just seems to go where I want without having to think too hard) and I find myself naturally on the kicker each time with it, unlike the speed where I had to consciously keep trying to push myself further back. haven't surfed a nut but would expect it to have a bit less drive and glide than the stretch minion at the same size... in short saying perhaps throw a bigger minion into the mix... but i'm sure you can get another 50 suggestions! good luck....!
CSE . Was lucky enough to be able to try the Speeed and flow on the same day twice and you are right. The flow felt stable due to the wider deck but maybe was a bit tipper. Once I got used to the speeed it was not too bad stability wise but still nowhere near the 'nut.
I'd be happy with either the flow or speeed if I was patient enough.
Dools. I'd love to give a Minion like yours a go. Sounds great but not sure I'm ready for a custom board yet.
Hey xurfxup my mate here in vicco has the 8`10 speed and the 8`6 carbon 2016 Hypernut and i just know hed be real keen to slide you into his Hypa at a very attractive price.He bounces in at 103 kegs and the Hyper floated him fine but he only seems to surf the speed these days,just sayin.
xurfxup
Each Sunova has subtle differences, and appeals.
Without knowing your exact height/weight/age and ability, I am going on the info in your post.
Coming from the 9'5 Soul, you would get a big performance upgrade, without losing much stability, with either:
9'2 Speeed - tight tail carve or more drawn out rail turn - best paddler in the Speeed range
8'10 Flow - tail or mid board turns - yaws, but picks up waves easily
STC. I'm 77 kg 5'6" and 53 with 2 yrs sup surfing experience.
I'm just a hack but trying to get better at transition of turns.
The Soul is pretty damn good for where I am, just sometimes wish I could get the foot back easier.
xurf
Your Soul is a big board for you, but that's not always a bad thing.... big boards are fun to ride and they will teach you a lot about how to turn. They require finesse.
Here's an alternative to downsizing right now....
You might find that the issue is not necessarily about getting further back to the tail.... but rather getting your back foot closer to the rail during a turn.
If you can get ahold of a GoPro and mount it on the nose of your board.... or have a friend film a session. it will tell you a lot about what your feet are doing. Your 9'5 will turn just fine if you move your back foot near the rail and simply shift your weight more to the back foot.
To carve back the other way, simply move your back foot to the opposite rail.
Another thing I do when I am stuck on a move, I will say before a wave, "Switch your paddle" or "move your back foot".... then that is the ONLY thing I care about on that wave. After a while, the move will become easy and natural.
Wire the turn before buying a new board.... use that time to try every board you can, so the next board will be a good fit.
here are some pictures showing my back foot near the rail of my 9'4 Acid.... not the tail, to carve a nice turn.
Select to expand quotexurfxup said..
fairly stable but seems to yaw a bit when catching a wave.
You can also learn to counter the yaw when taking off, it is not that hard.
Basically think to keep your paddle shaft vertical by sending your top hand well across the board, on the other side. With some training on flat water, you will see that you can even have a counter yaw easily.
You can also once the board is moving leaning a bit on the rail to make it turn while taking off.
You can see an example a 1:25 in the video:
Thanks for the tips guys.
Invaluable!
I kind of know it's more my technique than the board and will practice moving my back foot to each side as you advise.
I shouldn't have to "sell my soul" but will keep on the search for a smaller vessel.
Had the 'nut out again this morning and while it turns well it's got a few flaws. The main one is it doesn't punch through the whitewash too well due to its relatively fat nose and rails compared to the Sunovas.
at your size, the 8'6" Hypernut is way too big. way! and that extra size is probably what you're feeling regards breaking through the whitewater. i'm 93 kgs and completely stable on an 8'0" Hypernut. The whitewater is zero problem for me. Now I also have a 7'9" Sunova Schroom and it's got a thinner nose and is even easier in whitewater, but the tradeoff is that it is much less stable, too. I can barely stand on the thing, but that's a work in progress for me. I don't think you can go wrong with most Sunovas or the Hypernut, but getting any board that has volume equal to almost twice your weight is going to come with issues.
Select to expand quotebeached56 said..
at your size, the 8'6" Hypernut is way too big. way! and that extra size is probably what you're feeling regards breaking through the whitewater. i'm 93 kgs and completely stable on an 8'0" Hypernut. The whitewater is zero problem for me. Now I also have a 7'9" Sunova Schroom and it's got a thinner nose and is even easier in whitewater, but the tradeoff is that it is much less stable, too. I can barely stand on the thing, but that's a work in progress for me. I don't think you can go wrong with most Sunovas or the Hypernut, but getting any board that has volume equal to almost twice your weight is going to come with issues.
How do you have a schroom already? What's it like? (Sorry, shouldn't hijack!)
I have the 8 foot hypernut and love it. 95-99kgs without wetsuit and it's perfect for my local break. Fast through sections and turns quickly. i have carbon and its has some foot wells developing but I have used it pretty solidly for almost a year. Give it a go and you will not be disappointed. 
I better go , surfs looking good.
Select to expand quotecantSUPenough said..beached56 said..
at your size, the 8'6" Hypernut is way too big. way! and that extra size is probably what you're feeling regards breaking through the whitewater. i'm 93 kgs and completely stable on an 8'0" Hypernut. The whitewater is zero problem for me. Now I also have a 7'9" Sunova Schroom and it's got a thinner nose and is even easier in whitewater, but the tradeoff is that it is much less stable, too. I can barely stand on the thing, but that's a work in progress for me. I don't think you can go wrong with most Sunovas or the Hypernut, but getting any board that has volume equal to almost twice your weight is going to come with issues.
How do you have a schroom already? What's it like? (Sorry, shouldn't hijack!)
i ordered it, and it showed up. (i'm in the USA btw). since my Schroom is only 104 liters, it's a major challenge for me. but i have gotten a few waves on it and it is real fast. I think my Hypernut is fast too, but the schroom beats it by a bit. I sink the Schroom unless i find the exact sweet spot. if i could only have just one board, i'd stick with the Hypernut, but i got the Schroom to test my limits. It really is like a shortboard for me. I'll write a review once i can say more than 'i fall alot'.
Gotta agree with Beached - I am 92 pies and have the 7'8" hyper and love it.
I had the 2016 8', then went the the 2016 7'8", and have just got the 2017 7'8"- rails and nose seem to have been thinned out a bit for 2017, a substantial improvement - unbelieveable turning and think it actually gets through white water a fair bit easier, but this might be just me getting more used to the board.
Cannot rate this board highly enough, initially it was glassy conditions only for me, but is now the goto in most sup suitable conditions.
Seems like the 2017 starlite 'nuts have improved a fair bit over the earlier model. Dare I say Starboard are becoming a little more Sunova-ish?
I.e thinner profiles, similar construction principles and better value for money?
Going through a similar dilemma right now myself, planning a trip next year to either Maldives (been a few times before) or Pohnei. Surfing my 8'10" speed all the time at the moment & really likin the board, but like everyone says takes a lot to get used to getting that back foot back. Also ride a 8' L41 and took that to Maldives last year.
Have been thinking of a 8'10" Flow and was already to order one, then started reading about the Acid and thinking the 8'10" or maybe a bit bigger. Wondering what anyone's experience is. Any feedback would be great.
Im 90kegs, been supping for 5 plus years, local break is beach, but travel to surf reefs.
I too have similar tastes
Started with a 9.2 Speeed
Now have a 8.8 Speeed which I absolutely love and a 8.7 Flow
The Flow is quiet different to the Speeed but is great in really clean conditions
Get your foot back on the Speeed and it turns on a dime
I take my Speeed to Bali regularly and am thinking of taking both boards when we head back over in a few weeks
Love to hear a bit more about the Maldives ??
Funny - so many on a similar journey. I am 92 Kg, heading to the Maldives in April, and want the right board.
This will be my third Maldives trip (second on SUP). It is a great place to surf. The waves don't have the killer instinct that you find in Indo (only one trip there). Nice fast rides across the reef and then a mellow shoulder. We go from spot to spot on a boat.
My 8'10 speed was great last time, but I found myself speeding along the reef more than throwing fun turns. (I was 86 kg, too many cakes since then....) I had my 7'10" Minion as well, but I found I missed a few waves (often windy on our trip) which sent me to the end of the queue...
B56: I didn't know they were readily available - they aren't on their site. Look forward to a review.
Select to expand quoteTWs said..
Going through a similar dilemma right now myself, planning a trip next year to either Maldives (been a few times before) or Pohnei. Surfing my 8'10" speed all the time at the moment & really likin the board, but like everyone says takes a lot to get used to getting that back foot back. Also ride a 8' L41 and took that to Maldives last year.
Have been thinking of a 8'10" Flow and was already to order one, then started reading about the Acid and thinking the 8'10" or maybe a bit bigger. Wondering what anyone's experience is. Any feedback would be great.
Im 90kegs, been supping for 5 plus years, local break is beach, but travel to surf reefs.
IMO.... go with the Acid....it is the highest performing Sunova.
Perfect for steep hollow conditions and just as good in small, weak waves..... it surfs amazingly easily in everything.
It can be turned from the middle more than the Speeed (pics above)
it is very easy to pump down the line as well as go vertical or do snapbacks.
The Acid has decent width for stability, but is much narrower through the hips and tail than the Flow.... I prefer that when in hollow, fast waves.
The Acid has almost as much kick in the nose as the Speeed, which is great for late, steep takeoffs or coming off a floater.
IMO, you need to ride a longer Acid than Flow.... so I would suggest you consider the 9'1 Acid.
If you have good balance skills, the maybe the 8'10 Acid.... it has enough float for you, but I personally find the Acid a bigger balance challenge than the Flow because of the narrower hips and tail.
The Acid paddles straighter, but the Flow's wider hips make up for that when catching waves.
I find the Flow faster on a takeoff, because of the wider hips, but the Acid pumps faster down the line than any board I have surfed.
I also find the narrow tail of the Acid is great when you need to control a late drop.... you can sink it and stall... even on a steep face.
TWs - I would have to agree with STC.
I started on the 8'5 Speeed (I was closer to 90kegs back then but I've subsequently dropped approx 10kegs) & I now ride the 8'2 Speeed as my day-to-day board & I tend to use the 8'5 when conditions are less than ideal. I previously owned both the 8'10 & 8'8 Speeed & the smaller you go, the easier it is to turn the board without having to worry about your back foot placement.
I also briefly owned the 8'7 Flow which is a great board however there was too much volume from me so I trialled the 8'10 & 8'7 Acid & settled for the 8'7. I would rate the stability comparable to my 8'2 Speeed (it's a different kind of stability because the Speeed has good secondary stability where you can save yourself from going for a swim vs the Acid which once you pass a certain point, you're going in the drink) however it feels more twitchy vs the Flow & the performance on critical waves is unreal.
As SCT mentions, you should probably aim for 1 size up on the Acid vs the Speeed so if you're happy on your 8'10 Speeed, then go with the 9'1 Acid but if you think the 8'8 Speeed could be a better option, then maybe the 8'10 Acid is the board for you.
For a 2 board 'holiday' quiver, the Speeed & Acid make perfect sense & will have you covered in most conditions. PM me if you want more details
Hi SUPbru and Supthecreek, thanks for the info & for confirming what I was thinking, The Acid looks just what I'm after, i need to spent time getting my balance & core back in shape. Had a lower back injury durning the year & 3months of struggling to walk around the block has taken its toll, and putting on 5 plus kg. Feel like a complete novice paddling around, Falling off all the time, no issues once on a wave which is good.
Just got down to the coast where my boards are and pulled out my Speeed, its an 8'5" so thinking the 8'10" Acid will be perfect
no no wonder I've been wobbling around on it with the additional kg I've been carrying
Well after much demoing and seabreezein decided to sell my Soul and go with the Flow
Picked up an 8'10 and loving it. Not noticing the yaw effect of the 8'7 and find that it's plenty stable for me.
A bit of a challenge when it's choppy but getting better each outing.
The performance improvement over my Soul is similar to when I went from the hobie ATR to the Soul.
It turns like Bert says "with mind control " and I can get my back foot to the kick pad easy.
Have I got my one board quiver?
Maybe..
