Help with board choice please

[kodey]

hey,

I have been looking at both the potatonator and sweet potato for well over 6 months now and really cant decide which one to get (and its getting to crunch time). I was trying to figure out where to get the best un biased advice then had a brain snap, the FW forum.

Im 23 yrs, been surfing for about 2.5 yrs and consider myself a beginner verging on intermediate, during summer i go about 4-6 times a week, winter maybe once a week if its good conditions.

Im 5'11" about 70kgs.

I currently ride a Pacific Dreams(locally built board, Australia) in 6'1" x 19 3/4" x 2 1/2" Semi-Fish

I want something that i can ride in the small waste height waves and can really practice my turns on, an easy paddler would be a huge bonus aswell.

So what would you suggest, and what sizes.

Thanks heaps and let me know if there is any other information you need.

PS. i am looking for demo boards but are pretty hard to come by.

[prjwebb]

5'6" or 5'8" Potatonator would be my pick. A little more versatile and will ride a little more like a conventional board than the Sweet Potato will.

[kodey]

thanks for the quick reply, will the size difference between the 5'6" and 5'8" make much of a difference in regards to making better turns on the lip. I was thinking the 5'8" originally but thought it might be to bulky.

[prjwebb]

The 5'6" will be more responsive under your feet but if it's going to be primarily for smaller weaker waves the 5'8" will glide a little easier on the surface requiring less rider input.
I'd be looking at the 5'6" personally.

[iggy]

At your weight I will tend to recommend the 5'6", it will float you plenty. The fact that you surf that often is gonna help you to grow on the board.
The 5'8" might feel a bit too buoyant and at the beggining it will be easier than the 5'6", but you'll out grow it rapidly. As far as maneuverability goes, the 5'6" will be faster compared to the 5'8" due to the reduction mainly on the tail area

[Roger]

I have a Sweet Potato and a Potatonator and I strongly suggest sticking with the Potatonator. This board is amazing. It paddles and catches wave better than my larger Dom, and MUCH better than the chubby SP. The PN is simply a phenomenal board for smaller conditions. Highly recommended.

[kodey]

hey thanks guys,

i went and had a look at the boards again today, will certainly be getting a potatonator. looking at the sizes, the 5'8" is definatly to big. They didnt have a 5'6" in stock but was looking at the 5'4", it seemed like a really good size that i would be confortable with, although i couldnt stand it next to the 5'6" it just sort of felt right. Do you think it would be to small and make it to hard for me to get the hang of it or should i go with my gut?
They will have the 5'6" back in stock before im ready to buy so the wait isnt an issue, just not sure now.

Cheers guys, thanks heaps for the help.

kodey