I reckon you'd get more out of the 12'6. I've been on both the 12'0 and 12'6 in flat water and up to a couple of feet of chop. The new 12'0 is a very nice cruiser, insanely stable, glides nicely, punches through chop really well and even picks up a small runner. The 12'6 has more initial tip but is a much quicker board and probably more versatile. Haven't downwinded it but have done a DW alongside DJ on his 12'6 glide and he described it as "very technical" (at least in our typical short-period DW conditions.)