Naish Nalu 10'65" GT advice from the SUP faithful

G'day SUP crew,

I'll start with the fact that i've not stepped on a board yet but;

I'm looking for advice on a board for myself and a board for the girl. The only facts I have to go off right now are those I find online. I know what i'd like in a board (recreational flat water paddle and occasional, maybe getting frequent, small to medium surf) and so far through internet research the 2013 Naish Nalu 10'65" GT fits the bill very well. I want to hear about peoples experiences with this board and also answer a few of the below questions. Also on the same track was thinking of the 2013 Naish Alana 10'65" for the girl. Here's our stats;

Me: 175cm / 78kg / High Standard of fitness (if that matters)
Her: 167cm / 53kg / High Standard of fitness

Questions;

1) GT or GS construction? Have the money for GT. Wondering about build quality, durability, possible ease of repairs etc.

2) How it glides, handles, holds a line etc. going out for a decent, long day of flat water paddling?

3) That size Alana for my girlfriend and if that's an appropriate choice?

4) How the GT surfs in comparison to the GS model, turns, holds a rail in the pocket etc.?

5) Any issues people have encountered with this board?

6) Any SIMILAR boards (not just your favourite, ha) that you feel will fulfil what i'm looking for.

Answers to these questions and input from people who have experience with this line would be appreciated. I do understand the necessity to get out and demo a whole range and will be doing just that. Just wanting to get in early and get myself on the right track from the onset so I know what I should be looking at. Rather than mindlessly turning up to demo days and lessons with no clear idea of what I should be paddling on.

Cheers guys and girls.

There is a 10'6.5" Alana. Its exactly the same board as a GS 10'6.5" Nalu, but with the girly paint job.

There is also a 8'10" Alana which is the same board as the 8'10" Mana.

The 10'6 is a great board for both cruising & surf. I have surfed one in shoulder high waves & loved it! They have a concave deck which adds stability.

My girl has the 9'5" Alana & she loves it but she only paddles flat water.

My 2 cents would be get both the 10'6.5" boards. That way you've got the same glide when paddling flat water. If you're on a 10'6 & she's on a 9'5 it will be harder for her to keep up with you if you're both putting a bit of effort in.

As for build quality of GS vs GT, I have 2 hokuas in GT & a 11'4" Nalu in GS. Nothing wrong with either IMO.

Yeah Hi, I'm a SUP newb, but long time surfer. I hired out a 10'6.5 GS a couple of times (6 surfs) and it seemed pretty good - stable, caught small waves well, etc. I ended up buying the 11'4 GT. Only ridden it a handful of times yet, but seems to surf more or less the same as the smaller board (only been surfing mush on either of them). Both paddle well in chop and the surf, although the 11'4 is obviously a bit better for my 100Kg. And yes the GS only as the single fin, which may or may not matter to you.

I haven't had the opportunity to compare boards much, but I suspect the Nalu's have a fair bit of rocker in them, so might be a bit slower paddling flat water than others??? not sure about this but I'd be interested if someone else's comments.

I was dead keen on a starboard 11'2 Blend, but I heard the deck grip can be a bit abrasive for the kids knees, etc. I never actually got to feel up one of those Blends, so went for the naish as I knew it would be good as a first board. I reckon at your weight you've got a heap of choice available to you.

I just bought a Naish Nalu 10' 6.5 GT and am new to SUP, have some surf background.
This board has a flattish Mal style nose rocker, with more lift towards the tail.
This gives the board good paddle speed and easy to turn for such a big board if you use your back foot to spin it around (I found it hard to accelerate from stationary in the surf but I believe this to be lack of technique, once going no problems.)
As I said a great Mal style shape and rides like one as well.

I am yet to buy my first board.. however have recently been training in the river with a group in Perth and in also with friends occasionally.
I have tried 5 boards now and am pretty set on the Nalu 10'6 GT from reports and comparisons... (although I actually havent tried it yet!)

I'm 90Kg and I have tried...
12'6 Fanatic Falcon
12'6 Fanatic Fly Race
Starboard Whopper
Starboard Blend
11'0 Fanatic Fly

I am looking for a board to use for BOP training, river work and can take to the beach to catch waves and terrorize children. And have spent hours and hours lurking here, and reading reviews etc etc.. and am fully set on the Nalu 10'6 GT.

This weekend I am pulling the trigger, I am so pumped and will get back to you with verdict.

Earth to DarthSUP - report on the Naish 10'6.5" please?

To everyone else -
I understand that Aus is completely out of stock of this model at the moment?
Is this because it's such a good board, general growth in the sport, other supply issues?

Earth to DarthSUP - good man, thanks for the report.
Between you and DJ's info (who is that masked man?) I think the Naish is my favoured choice so far - as much as it can be without having paddled one so far.
Looks like I've just sold my ski (to WA - I'm in Melbourne!!!), so this will help with funding a SUP, and convincing the wif that yes I really do need to add to the collection of 1 remaining wave ski, 1 remaining skiff and 2 surfboards...my version of a mid life crisis over the last 10 years.
So I'm off to the Sandy to Cerberus paddle on Sunday to make a nuisance of myself and to ask more silly questions...who know, maybe someone with a Naish 10'6.5" will offer me a paddle???
(BOP training...wtf??)