semi gun sizing for double OH El Porto

I have a 6'8 round pin Merrick K- step if you want to buy it. Board is in perfect condition and Will handle as big as you want

 

Don't be afraid of trying a board in the 7' range or bigger. You might just like it!

And yes, you need a bigger board then a 5'6 for waves like that.

Here in Belmar we ride 10'4 elephant guns when it gets huge. After that seldom will bring the ski down

 

I have a 6'6 that i really like for bigger stuff. Usually when traveling as when it gets big here, that 6'6 is to much board. The waves iv surfed with it maybe not quite as big as your talking. But my point in bringing this up is that it's thick. Id have to go pull it out to check the exact thickness. But it really helps add a ton of float and paddability. I have a other 6'6 that is of normal thickness and the difference between the two is extreme. Sure, thicker board is harder to sink a rail and rip a big turn off....but for me when it's big, i ain't going for turns.

 

Tyler Hatzakian at the Jetty. Google it.

 

A jet board in the 5'9" range may be the answer without having to add much length

 

Stay 7' and narrow, but a bit thick 2.7". Any longer and if you're not used to length,it will be too cumbersome. The extra thickness will add speed and momentum and get you down the face.

Or get a jet boart

 

Which board? The Tyler is a 10'0. Single fin. No leash. Tyler is a beast. That's el porto right?
Not saying go that big but a serious wave needs a serious board.

 

www.iconsofsurf.com/7-2-Dauntless.html
Something like this would be what I'd want.

 

what's the thickness and width of your other borts? you might be able to sacrifice some length if you put the volume elsewhere

 

I'd recommend a 7'0 rounded pin. That's what I ride here in North Jersey as big as it gets.

When it gets DOH, and if you feel your step-up isn't handling it, go into the semigun/minigun range. It will put more rail in the water, and at those speeds you'll appreciate the added stability and confidence that comes along with it.

 

All the cool kids do stepoffs when it gets OH

 

How big and tall are you are would help. For a legit semi-gun you are going to want to go a good 6-12" longer, 1/8"-1/4" thicker in the middle, and probably a good 1/2"+ thinner in width than your good wave board. Also, different waves are going to want different boards. If I'm paddling out at Swamis I want something that can handle a slopey wave, thicker rails, wider in the middle, fun gun vs something like Big Blacks or Harbor where I want a pointy, foiled out, speed chip. Duck diving boards like that takes practice, but it can be done. Practice with a longboard until you can get those under OH+ waves and it gets a lot easier, never easy though. You can find tons of barely used ones on Craig's. Speaking of which, I have one in San Diego in excellent condition that I could part with.

I haven't used a step up bigger than
a 6'6 since last winter. : (

this winter kinda sucks

 

That's sound about right to me. My good wave board is 6'4 x 21 x 2 11/16.

My "East Coast Gun" is 7'0 x 20 x 2 13/16... I think.

Here's something similar for a smaller guy... so it's much narrower.

 

Beautiful boart!

 

It's for sale... BO