Hey everyone, I'm looking to buy my first fish and need a second opinion on the dimensions. I'm 5'5 and 160lbs. I surf primarily small, mushy waves. I've been surfing for about a year. I'm thinking I will need around 6'0-6'7. 21. 2 5/8-2 3/4?...I currently have a 7'10. 22 1/8. 3 1/8 funboard and a 6'5.19 1/4. 2 1/2 shortboard. I want something more maneuverable than than the funboard. I have no problems paddling the shortboard, but I'm assuming I'm either to big or don't enough wave power/ ability to catch the wave's speed because I slow and sink when I hop up on it. Will the dimensions I picked work for me? Thank you
If you plan to ride it in small mushy waves, then you should consider going with something nice and wide (your idea of 21 ") sounds about right, and relaxed rocker. As far as length goes, for someone your size a small wave fish does not need to be anywhere near as long as 6'7". Incidentally, if you are trying to ride the 6'5" x 19" in small mushy waves, its probably not a board that was intended for small waves ...too narrow in the nose, and too much rocker to plane on slow waves. Get a fish, get it wide. It will work for you just fine once you get used to the shortness.
The duck dive comment is an important one. I have a 6'1" Dwart (kinda fish-ish) and although i need the volume, not being able to duck dive (easily/functionally) is a drag
Exactly, duckdiving is important. Getting hit by the white wash even though its weak it can still push you back a good bit.
im 6'2 170 and i have a 5'10, 21 5/8 wide and 2 5/8 thick round nose fish shape and it works perfect for me in VB normal mush. a Round nose fish shape is really good for the EC. its got the fish feel but with close to the same amount of drive as a shortboard. you could probably ride anywhere from a 5'3-5'9, 20-22 wide, and 2.2-2.5 wide. look up what your volume to weight ratio is as well. really helps for picking out the "right" amount of float for your board.
Some good advice here so far. Just make sure you keep the length down... don't go over 6'0. The beauty of this design begins with it's short length. For an experienced surfer, I usually advise not to go longer than you are tall, so you could easily go with a 5'8 or a 5'10 and have plenty of volume for your 160lb frame. Your other dims sound pretty good. Just know that these boards are not good beginner boards... there's a knack to riding them well. So there's going to be a learning curve, especially in steep, punchy surf. But it will make catching waves a little easier, and it shouldn't bog as easily either.
I have quite a bit more experience than you but I am 5'-8" and 160lbs. A retro type fish, a "fishy type shape" sorry bad description, and a round nose fish (smilar to the classic or present version ..lost makes) are all very different. The ...lost style Round Nose Fish is a great shape, it works good in waves thigh to head high. Its more of a performance fish and I will alsoways have one in my quiver. I ride my Tommy Moore Round Nose Fish at 5'-5" x 19 1/4" x 2-3/8" at 26.5L in volume. But my experience level allows me to ride it 3" shorter than I am tall. I have a buddy that has about two years of experience hes 5'-10" and 180lbs and rides a 6'-0" x 20" x 2-3/8" Round Nose Fish. It floats him well but in no way are these boards "grovel" boards. Hope this helps at least somewhat in choosing a size. Like others said keep her as short as you are comfortable with. I wouldn't go over 2" to 5" longer than you are tall on a round nose fish. If you are looking for something strictly as a beginer board you could go 6' being you are 5'5" but I would not go any longer than that.
you should get a longboard then. Like a 8 footer for smaller waves. But a 6'8 would be perfect in some conditions.
