8' 6" Takayama In The Pink in Tuflite Review

In a previous post I asked about the 8' 6" Takayama ITP in Surftech's Tuflite construction and was given some advice based on someone they know of, or from their experience on the same board but different size. So I thought I should write a review seeing as there is very little on the WWW on the 8' 6" specifically.
I have, and had, more traditional longboards (Model T's and Noosa 66 in the 9' 4"range plus 10 footers, 9' 6 etc) and my aim in purchasing the 8' 6" was to get a board as short and light as possible, yet still have good paddle on, be able to trim it down the line and walk to the nose. Basically surf it like a 9' 4" traditional board without having to deal with the length and weight of a glass board.
I am 60 and 5' 7" @ 70kg and would classify myself as very fit. Ok, with that out of the way, here we go.
You know how a board might go as soon as you first start to paddle out for the first time. It felt right from here and did not disappoint. I was really amazed at the ease and glide of paddling the board out the back. Being so light, I could get it on the plane very quickly. it was equally as good paddling on to a wave. I was not expecting it to paddle as it did. On a wave it took a few waves to adjust to the lightness of the board on a wave, being more attuned to Volan glassed PU boards. But after a few waves on that first session and sessions thereafter I quickly drew accustomed, and thankful, with the lighter weight.
Bottom turn and trimming the board was excellent but felt a tad unstable and too loose with the heavily raked 8.5 fin that I put in the board (remembering I'm not going for performance with this board which it is certainly capable of). After a few sessions a went for a Eveley 8.5 Hatchet fin. Just about the only hatchet fin or similar in that size I could find that I thought would suit the 8' 6 and the style of riding I wanted to achieve from the board. Well it did the trick for me. Great bottom turn and stable to walk but I am still refining walking to the nose as the board is way smaller than I'm used to but I certainly can see its potential (or more to the point, my limitations at this stage). The board trims beautifully and when I want the board to turn sharply, the performance tail really shows what it can do.
Overall I am stoked with the how the board goes and fulfils exactly what I wanted. Less length and weight really helps with positioning and handling the board, both when paddling and catching waves , but also when recovering the board in the white water (also, carrying it down the beach). The other reason for wanting lighter board and shorter length was on reducing the stress on my body/joints. It certainly has done that too. Those wanting to surf in a more high performance way will see even more benefits, especially setting it up as a 2 + 1.

Looking forward to continue exploring the board in the coming months.

Plus 1 on the review,i had a 9.6 and it was amazing paddle power and ripped I should get another

Thanks everyone. The whole size range look good. I had the 9' and 8' 6" side by side as direct comparison. Both equally as refined. Saw the 9' 3" and 9' 6" on the rack they too look great.