Hi all,
I am interested in user experiences on the Naish Mana 10.5 x 35"? As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am researching a new board and am new to SUP. To rehash - I am approx 106/108kgs, 6'3" tall and looking for a board suitable for lake paddling, cruising a few local bays and playing around with on a few small waves. I would like something stable to take the dog [mid size] on from time to time as I have a lake / Dam just 5 mins from my farm. I had originally been thinking I would need a board 11'6-12' x 30"+... I have come to see that many people starting out often go into a board in this range and soon find they are updating once they have got a little experience under their belt...
After some much appreciated information from an experienced and helpful forum member, the 10.5 Mana was mentioned and I am keen to look further into this. From the little information I have read so far - the Mana would be good to learn on, is very buoyant, turns fairly well, handles flat water and waves well for its dimensions... [could even fish from it] Measuring the top of the tail gate to the bottom of the tray behind the seat at approx 7' of my [Commodore] ute, I am thinking it will be easier to transport too. Also I tend to like to buy well and hang onto things, I think it will be a handy long term fun board. Allowing later a long board to be added and maybe a dedicated wave board... I am retro at heart and somewhere there will have to be a timber/laminate board...
I know Demo is the way to go. I am approx 2 weeks away from getting to Perth and being able to demo, so want to research as much as possible. I did find some info on the net and saved to file, Now find out I can't open the word document which is now corrupt! s@@t!!! So would appreciate any info people have on their experiences and thoughts of the 10.5 Mana? Thanks.
Cheers,
Cam...
Hi mate.
This was my first board......it lasted a week and I took it back.
An absolute barge and inferior long term quality....it's an AST type construction called ASA and terrible......the design print comes off the deck easy too.
I'd suggest it and the Starboard Fishermen are for obese slobs or for 3 people party supping only.
The 10' Mana would be the Naish for your ute (in wood by the sounds) but the 11'6 Naish Nalu as I've said on here several times is the best all-round start up board out there IMO.
Happy SUP'n. 
I agree and disagree in part with surfanimal. I personally believe that AST construction is awesome and I have rarely seen any problems with it - and a couple of the worlds biggest sup producers use this construction and stand by it.
However - I really do have to agree re board choice. Do not get conned into going shorter because the only way you are going to cope with a 10ft ish board to start on is by adding a massive amount of width which will make it paddle like a pig and be very awkward to carry and load on the car. A 10.5 x 35 board is going to be so slow to paddle that you will get the sh#ts with it on the first day and you will be changing sides with the paddle every half a dozen strokes (or maybe even more often) just to keep it going in some sort of a straight line. If you are seriously looking at buying a naish then the 11.6 (in any construction) is a fantastic board and is equally at home in the flatwater as it is in the surf. It is not a board you will grow out of in 3 months - and even if you do really get the sup bug and want to get a smaller surf sup in time you will probably never want to sell the 11.6.
People (especially on this site) will tell you that there are much smaller boards that will support your weight and with a bit of patience you will master them and be ripping in no time - I say "bollocks" to that - get a comfortable, well made and capable fun board that feels right on day 1 and get into sup the right way - and by that I mean "it should be easy and fun every single time you go for a paddle".
Just my personal thoughts - take from it what you will.
I agree Billboard..... I should clarify that the AST is good stuff (I have the 12' Glide in AST) but the ASA 10'5 is a poor cousin. Sorry if I'd not worded that too well.
Had a learner on my 11'6 Nalu this morning. First SUP session and she paddled from Bundeena to Cronulla and back no probs on it and rode 2 runners in her first session......not bad at all and the Nalu takes plenty of credit for that.
Hi Cam, I am 100kg 6'2" and purchased 10' mana a couple of months a go, floats my weight in surf no problem. I can paddle on flat water with my 5yold daughter standing in front of me and we don't get wet,
Last week took a 11'6" nula out for a paddle in a lagoon me and my 5y old standing in front and my 3y old laying on front great stability.
Had a go on the 10'5" mana didn't like it
Hey Guys,
Thanks for the input. I appreciate your thoughts and views. As of the past 2 days, I am working on plans to import a retro Mal style 12' long board, in June / July as I have discounted shipping then. Not set in concrete yet, a few logistical things to clear up, but looks good. Originally I was looking to a long [11'6"+] board to begin and learn with, but this above opportunity arose and I cant justify 2 boards suiting similar purposes. So I thought of a shorter board for now. ie: around 10'6", that is easy to cart around without requiring tray racks to tie it to. I can take to the lake close to home to paddle and to the beach when I have the opportunity. By mid year I can decide then to either keep it or sell it. I know the 10.5 Mana is wide and I am new so cant judge from my experience and appreciate your views. Tho I do know not all these wide boards are being ridden by obese guys or learners. 2 guys I know are using Starboard Whoppers for similar tasks as I am looking at. I also have a friend in Venezuela [in my Avitar pic] who has several sup boards. He is assistant manager of a resort hotel in Venezuela, where the 10.5 Mana is used extensively with Patrons. Yep a beginner board. He is about 80kgs, 6' and chucks that thing around like its one of his balsa short boards, so everyone keeps telling me. I do know he uses it to paddle between Islands off the coast too. Some are only 100s of meters apart, some much further. I am trying to touch base with him now to find out why he likes it, but have to wait as he is in Brazil on holiday. Anyway it had me thinking when the 10.5 Mana was mentioned, that I should find out more as I originally hadn't considered it.
I am sure the Naish 11'6 is a great board. I have ready many positive posts on it. Tho have also read several from people who felt it wasn't right for them. I know there is no ultimate do everything holy grail board – short, mid or long, just trying to find a good compromise and hear all the pluses, minus's and potential options for something under 11'... I have been following this forum and Stand up Zone a few weeks or so - They are a great source, tho gets a little confusing at times being new and reading so many differing views. But that's research and learning... Thanks guys...
