OK I'm 6'2 and a little north of 120kg, fat and a bit balance-challenged and I've tested several production 14 footers of the general type you describe. I ride a 14 x 30" DC (aussie board) and have just bought a pre-loved Naish 17 Glide.

Race/touring boards are a different animal than your Amundson so extrapolating that experience won't be too helpful. For you in touring/racing boards it's going to be about width (for stability) and volume - the Hobie IMO wouldn't be a good solution for you, it doesn't have enough of either, neither will the stock Bark. 27-28" boards with volume in the mid-200's or less just aren't going to be enough board for you and they won't work as they're supposed to with 300lbs on them. They are just not designed and built for carrying that much weight.

Look for something in the bigger volume approaching 300 litres (more if you can find it) and unless you have exceptional balance and/or will only be paddling in calm water I'd suggest look for width up around 30". It'll be hard to find both in a production board. Rail shape ill also be an issue for you, look for harder rails for stability.

Possibilities:
Laird Coast Runner
Starboard Open Ocean, maybe the Coast Runner
Fanatic Fly Race 14 (320 litres)
You might also look at the 14x27 Starby ACE (390 litres!).

If you'e not wedded to 14" look at the Starby 12'6 x 31.5 Race. Or maybe even the 17' Glide (which is surprisingly stable and agile).

Demo Demo Demo what you can. Once you've tried a few and got a feel for how they work, maybe also approach Bark or Infinity and see if they can do a custom 14 with extra volume and width for your size.

I'd also suggest once you find a board - to enhance stability at your weight, look at a big surface area keel fin in like a Larry Allison Gladiator Elite or Bat Wing.

Hope that's helpful.

Something like this would be good.



Or something like this if you're after something a bit cheaper.

DJ

XXL,
I am in the winter coat category at 6ft 3 and 120kg. I owned the Naish 17, owned the bark exp, trialed the hobie 14, bought the DC 14 Makaru and love it.
You can feel the board under your feet and it has the WOW factor, will handle another few Kg's no worries. Get one custom made and ask Dale to put an extra 6 oz glass under the feet to support the board like I did and your done.

cheers

His boat seems large enough to come collect it.....

HI Guys thanks for the advise! I really like the look of the DC 14 Makaru, I've got a place near Byron Bay maybe next time I'm there maybe I would be able to demo one! Anybody in that area that is a dealer that would be able to set up a demo?
I been thinking about the Naish 17' but live on a boat so storage is a issue, so 14' max for me. HumanCartoon, the Fanatic Fly Race 14 looks like a board I would love to give a go and like you said Demo demo demo! I'll try and get as much demo's in as possible! And keep you guys in the loop! I've used a buddies of myne old Starboard Pin allot and did not find it to tippy and handle it well in all conditions but once again with my weight I would sink the board and not get its full potenscial out of it so I think like HumanCartoon said the more volume the better and around the 30' beam.
Farquo: What did you think of the Hobie 14?
Greg: what is you thoughts on the glides and open ocean race?
DJ: What is you thoughts on the Hobie 14'
Does anyboady have any thoughts on the new 2012 Bark/Laird 14': Joe bark really rate it as the best big guy raceboard and said it is by far the his favorite board. One of the shops here in FL is going to setup a demo for me and I'll give you guys some feedback as soon as I do.
Any other advise and reviews I would appreciate all you guys have help allot so far!
Thanks

xxlsup said...


Greg: what is you thoughts on the glides and open ocean race?

Personally I just never found comfort on any of the 12'6 and 14' glides when there was any bump. I fell off the 14' glide in flat water in front of a big group which was just a little embarrassing.........and that was that ruled them out straight away

As for the open ocean, i paddled across our bay with a tinly little swell and some chop, and seriously my legs were that wobbly i couldn't wait to exit, in fact did about 5 times in 1 km! For your information I paddled the DC Makaru and would have bought that on the spot from my mate except he sold it the bay before. I am thinking they might be hard to come by in the US as their a home brand and are effectively a custom order as I understand.

So I settled on the Shaka and its a keeper, I like the nose rocker, paddled open ocean in a 1 mtr swell no problems, but as they say its horse for courses and demo demo demo

After all the info you guys gave me and speaking with a couple of people over here I'm leaning towards the Fanatice Fly race 14 and I'm going to Demo it on Tuesday, it kind of seams like the production board that would suite me for know till I want to go Custom! I also email Joe Bark about the new Surftech Bark/Laird 14' and he said it will be to small and a custom board 14' x 30" would be the better way to go. So thanks HumanCartoon for the heads up on the Fanatic, I will keep you guys posted and I really still want to try the DC Makaru!!! Maybe they should get a dealer in the US, the OZ surf culture would definitely develop an awesome board!