NFA 9/10 or Karmen 8'9?

[Balthazar]

Hello

I have been SUP'ing for about a year in small waves (knee to chest high) on a BIC Performer 10'6 with 185L. I'm doing well on that but would like a board more suited for waves. I once tried a board with the dimensions 9'0x30"x3.9" (volume unknown) in knee high waves, glassy conditions - and that was going very well.

My height is 1'76 and weight about 76 kg.

I am primarily surfing in Løkken in Denmark with small mushy waves with low periods (5-8 seconds). And from time to time going to Klitmøller were the size is bigger.

I am considering buying the NFA 9 or 10 or Karmen 8'9.

At the moment i am lending towards the NFA 9, but I am a little worried that the 120L will be to low volume for me at the moment. If that is the case I am considering the Karmen 8'9 og NFA 10 with 140L.

So my questions are:
1. I am pretty sure 140L will be enough volume, but will I be okay with 120L?
2. Is there a big difference i manoeuvrability between NFA 9 and 10?
3. Whats the biggest difference in the models NFA vs. Karmen apart from the noseride ability on the NFA?
4. Ultimately - whats the best choice for me?

Kind regards

Christian

[coolas]

1. I am pretty sure 140L will be enough volume, but will I be okay with 120L?
2. Is there a big difference i manoeuvrability between NFA 9 and 10?
3. Whats the biggest difference in the models NFA vs. Karmen apart from the noseride ability on the NFA?
4. Ultimately - whats the best choice for me?

1. You should be. If you were OK with a 9'0x30"x3.9" I guess it was also around 120l, since the 120l NFA is 9'0" x 30"1/2 x 4"1/16
2. for your weight yes: the 10' will require you walk more on the board to turn it
3. the NFA will feel stabler, as it has more surface, but the Karmen will turn more easily, smoother, without having to move a lot on the board, and be easier to handle chop and steeper faces
4. the Karmen is the best choice if you are not into noserides, it works in 99% of conditions. Given your experience and condition, the 8'9" seems the best choice, as the extra volume will help in weak waves, and the Karmen turns very easily even with some extra volume. In the NFAs, for your weight, the 10' will allow for a retro noseride style with maximum glide, the 9' a mix of noseride / modern turns.

The Mob could be the best board for your conditions, but after some more surfing experience - or if you already have previous prone surfing experience - as it paddles slower.

[Balthazar]

Thank you for the advise, coolas.. Karmen 8’9 it is

One additional question: when it comes to paddles - whats the main differences between the 30% Carbon and 100% carbon?

[coolas]

The 100% carbon is more efficient, and more pleasant (lighter).
But the 30% carbon is also a great choice if you have a low budget.

The 100% is quite strong in use, but you must take care to avoid shocks on hard things on land, e.g. store it in a bag and not leave it unprotected in the car while driving for instance. The 30% is more sturdy.

[MagW]

I think the Karmen 8'9 is to big for your weight. It is 80 cm wide, quite wide for you.

The Karmen 8'4 is better, but a bigger leap from your current board. But if you surf mainly in glassy conditions with little wind it will be great.

I think you will be better of with a NFA, especially if you surf in windy conditions. With the 10' you can do nothing wrong and it actually handles bigger waves fine. The 9' is more of a challenge in the beginning but its easier to handle than the 10 when you get more experience. The wide nose on the NFA makes it really stable and the glide is great in slow surf.

If you surf when its not windy, glassy conditions, then either Karmen or NFA will work. But I think the Karmen 8'9 is to big for your weight.

The perfect combo would be a NFA10 and a Karmen 8'4!

If you keep your BIC you can use it when it is choppy and buy the smaller boards. But if you sell the BIC you might be better of with the bigger ones.