I'm looking at purchasing a new displacement hull style 14' race/touring board and need some help? I'm 6'3" and 150kg/310lbs I've been paddling and surfing a 11'6" Amundson for the last 2 years and love the board especially for surf: 5-10footers! Most people say I'm to heavy for the board but I handle the board really good for my size and weight I would say!(I do look n bit like Jesus walking on the water since most of the board is submerge) I want a additional board for long distance paddling and have been recommended for my size the Surftech Bark/Laird 14 www.paddleboardspecialists.com/default.asp
Or the Hobie 14' E series www.paddleboardspecialists.com/default.asp
I like the look of both, and even tho they only recommend the board for weight up to 250lbs I think I would be able to handle the boards fine since I can handle the Amudson fine for the last 2 years! Any help recommendations or reviews would be Much appreciated!
OK I'm 6'2 and a little north of 120kg, fat and a bit balance-challenged and I've tested several production 14 footers of the general type you describe. I ride a 14 x 30" DC (aussie board) and have just bought a pre-loved Naish 17 Glide.
Race/touring boards are a different animal than your Amundson so extrapolating that experience won't be too helpful. For you in touring/racing boards it's going to be about width (for stability) and volume - the Hobie IMO wouldn't be a good solution for you, it doesn't have enough of either, neither will the stock Bark. 27-28" boards with volume in the mid-200's or less just aren't going to be enough board for you and they won't work as they're supposed to with 300lbs on them. They are just not designed and built for carrying that much weight.
Look for something in the bigger volume approaching 300 litres (more if you can find it) and unless you have exceptional balance and/or will only be paddling in calm water I'd suggest look for width up around 30". It'll be hard to find both in a production board. Rail shape ill also be an issue for you, look for harder rails for stability.
Possibilities:
Laird Coast Runner
Starboard Open Ocean, maybe the Coast Runner
Fanatic Fly Race 14 (320 litres)
You might also look at the 14x27 Starby ACE (390 litres!).
If you'e not wedded to 14" look at the Starby 12'6 x 31.5 Race. Or maybe even the 17' Glide (which is surprisingly stable and agile).
Demo Demo Demo what you can. Once you've tried a few and got a feel for how they work, maybe also approach Bark or Infinity and see if they can do a custom 14 with extra volume and width for your size.
I'd also suggest once you find a board - to enhance stability at your weight, look at a big surface area keel fin in like a Larry Allison Gladiator Elite or Bat Wing.
Hope that's helpful.
Hi XXLSUP, similar to Sir Cartoon, I'm 5'11 and just a tad over 120 kgs (so possibly more squat 
) and personally found the displacement hulls just a little too tippy for me, unless you were only planing on paddling flat water, any time there was even the tiniest little bump, i was wobbly as all and very uncomfortable.
I tried the SB open ocean and race, the new and old naish 14' and 12'6 glides etc. But didn't try the 17' couldn't put my hands on one at the time.
I settled and am really happy with the Angulo Shaka 14. The blue one, not the new tiger. I got the planning type hull and a good nose rocker and is really stable in the open ocean, wind, chop and for me still gets along ok in flat water (and lets face it all 3 of us arent going to beat anyone except ourselves in a race).
I also tried the coastrunner and found it stable but slowwwwwww. i was interested in the old joe bark the yellow one but couldn't demo it and if I couldn't demo i didn't buy!
Personally i thought the Hobies were overpriced 
I found anything under about 30" just wasn't going to work
Good luck & let us know how you go
Your an official member of the OFB Club (Old Fat Barstards) (we are just wiating for Laurie to make us our own category under SUP
Greg
Something like this would be good.
Or something like this if you're after something a bit cheaper.
DJ
The handling and dynamics of these narrower boards must change a lot when you're well north of 100 kegs. Especially if a lot of it's above the waistline - tiny movements have an exaggerated effect on the board compared to the folks these things are designed around. A lot more mental and physical effort goes into just keeping them upright. Width is your best friend, volume is his wingman.
A smaller mate (an accomplished paddler) jumped on a 14 Jav for the first time in a long time the other day - he said "holy crap, now I know how Stuey feels all the time"
I tried the Hobie 14 and didn't get on with it at all (although I wanted to). Admittedly in pretty lumpy conditions. Haven't been on the NSP.
XXL,
I am in the winter coat category at 6ft 3 and 120kg. I owned the Naish 17, owned the bark exp, trialed the hobie 14, bought the DC 14 Makaru and love it.
You can feel the board under your feet and it has the WOW factor, will handle another few Kg's no worries. Get one custom made and ask Dale to put an extra 6 oz glass under the feet to support the board like I did and your done.
cheers
HI Guys thanks for the advise! I really like the look of the DC 14 Makaru, I've got a place near Byron Bay maybe next time I'm there maybe I would be able to demo one! Anybody in that area that is a dealer that would be able to set up a demo?
I been thinking about the Naish 17' but live on a boat so storage is a issue, so 14' max for me. HumanCartoon, the Fanatic Fly Race 14 looks like a board I would love to give a go and like you said Demo demo demo! I'll try and get as much demo's in as possible! And keep you guys in the loop! I've used a buddies of myne old Starboard Pin allot and did not find it to tippy and handle it well in all conditions but once again with my weight I would sink the board and not get its full potenscial out of it so I think like HumanCartoon said the more volume the better and around the 30' beam.
Farquo: What did you think of the Hobie 14?
Greg: what is you thoughts on the glides and open ocean race?
DJ: What is you thoughts on the Hobie 14'
Does anyboady have any thoughts on the new 2012 Bark/Laird 14': Joe bark really rate it as the best big guy raceboard and said it is by far the his favorite board. One of the shops here in FL is going to setup a demo for me and I'll give you guys some feedback as soon as I do.
Any other advise and reviews I would appreciate all you guys have help allot so far!
Thanks
Pretty sure this guy would weigh a bit too. I'd go a custom if I were you. They don't tend to make stock boards with guys like you in mind.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Luke-longley-got-is-new-DCguess-the-board-size/
) Dale Chapman and making a short side trip to the Goldie to see him if you'll be travelling all this way anyway.
After all the info you guys gave me and speaking with a couple of people over here I'm leaning towards the Fanatice Fly race 14 and I'm going to Demo it on Tuesday, it kind of seams like the production board that would suite me for know till I want to go Custom! I also email Joe Bark about the new Surftech Bark/Laird 14' and he said it will be to small and a custom board 14' x 30" would be the better way to go. So thanks HumanCartoon for the heads up on the Fanatic, I will keep you guys posted and I really still want to try the DC Makaru!!! Maybe they should get a dealer in the US, the OZ surf culture would definitely develop an awesome board!
