Had both boards the Hokua a far better board, less volumn but feels better not so
corky. More nose lift and finner rails makes the board out perform the Mc Tavish.
Dave

DJC said...

Had both boards the Hokua a far better board, less volumn but feels better not so
corky. More nose lift and finner rails makes the board out perform the Mc Tavish.
Dave

+ 1. The naish is wayyyyy tippier but if you can get over that it's a way better board IMO. (I have only had one small surf on the naish and found it a tad wobbly but much less corky than the Mct - wouldn't take long to get your legs on it. )

I've just bought a 9' Hokua as well. It is slightly narrower and thinner than many 9' boards but does surf very well. At 68 kgs I find it very stable even in chop, I think the slightly recessed deck and rocker shape make a difference. So stable that I was a bit worried that I was buying too big a board, but the extra length helps in catching less powerful waves.

ossie71 said...

Hi, I currently have Nalu 11'4" and would also like to get a shorter board to cover different conditions and like the look of the Hokua 9'5" but wasn't sure if I would be suitable as my weight is 98kg and 6'1". Only being doing SUP for a year now and having a blast and keen to add a shorter style board. Have you guy's tried the 9'5"?

Ossie we prolly should start a new topic... But Im the same exact build as you, no problem on float for the 9'5" Hokua. I demo'd the old 9'6" Hokua and the new 9'5". Unfortunately when i had the 9'5" no waves to be found. Both boards Should float you fine, 9'6" was sweet in the waves, 9'5" looks like it would be unreal. My only concern is that the new 9'5" seemed noticeably heavier than the 9'6".... More Wood maybe?
Im curious if someone can compare the discontinued 9'6" Hokua to the new 9'5" in terms of wave performance.

I have had a 9'0 Hukua for 12 months now and they are great in waves, can be a little tippy in chop but as soon as you're on a wave the frustration is worth it. Later drops, looser turns etc... You can adjust fins depending on chop to assist stability. Concave deck also helps. Narrow nose assists with going through waves and reducing 'corky' feel through turns I reckon. I'm 93kg and 6'2. 9'5 is heaps more stable, the 2012 model has more volume than 2011.