I think a 12'6 all rounder has a lot of merit. Seems to be a fixed dimension in Races & Battle of the Paddle, etc, 12'6 and under, or 12'6 over, or 12'6 to 14.... etc....
The longer boards have an ease of picking off waves, and you can surf them in a Hawaiian laid back style. They have good paddle speed for flat water, and are also a great length for exploring off shore bomboras.... A reasonable size for a distance cruiser.... but probably a fraction short for down wind.
PS - The shaping bay looks like most shaping bays (I haven't been to Dave's though).... blue walls, 2 board stands, under pelmet fluro lighting, some air tools, tools on the shelf, and little bit of air extraction! BUT, that board in the bay looks very very interesting !!


Come to think of it, every bay I've been into has had a concrete floor also !