I've got the big Naish for the flat water, the distance stuff, the odd surf and for others to learn on and am getting a custom Stonker board that I hope to use in the surf. I guess the beauty of getting something custom made is that you have a bit of a say in getting the board you really want while supporting the local talent. What's your other board?

I have the 11 6" Kalama which I started on and used 99% In surf and 9 6" naish which is a great surf sub

I would go a JL surf model 10 to 10 8 and a JL alrounder 11 they are really good boards. Or Starboard 9 8 and 12. So many choices.

I recently went from one board to 5 in what has to be record time. I've been paddling a Starboard 12-6 for a bit over a year and love the board (a very special gift from my brother). I'm a big guy with balance problems so I needed all of it to start with. I think its one of the best big boards out there...very fast, great glide and actually still surfs surprisingly well..especially at my size.

Then i bought my wife the Oxbow 11-0 in May. It's a great board for her to cruise on but I always thought it was a bit big for her in the surf (she's pretty small). The board handles her instead of the other way around. I've had some fun on it in the waves though. We're going to give that board to my oldest daughter who has been bitten by the bug.

A couple of months ago the folks at Starboard asked me if I would consider doing demos for them here in Massachusetts in return for a steep discount on boards. Since I was already saving to buy an 11-2 I jumped on the offer and also ordered a 9-8 for my wife. Just got the boards last week so I've only taken the 11-2 out a few times and the 9-8 for just a total of 4 waves....4 great waves...

Almost at the same time a very good friend gave me a brand spanking new C4 10-6 (I know, I know...one hell of a friend) A great board...stable, fun to ride, such a change when I dropped down.

It's a great feeling to finally have a quiver. The 12-6 is in the process of being completely restored. She's one of the original all wood veneer sportech's. I'm fixing any dings, repainting, new clear coat, and a new pad. She'll be my distance/crusing/downwind board and be babied from this point on. The 9-8 will be the go-to board when its big and clean. The 11-2 and 10-6 will alternate depending on the mood...the 11-2 is fun to walk on, the 10-6 turns so easily, both will get lots of hours on them.

Please note...take my comments on the abilities of a given board with a grain of salt...I'm a newb of the 1st order. These are just how they feel to me.

The only addition that i can see that I'd like is a true downwind racing board.

Really hard to go past an 11'6 Kalama for serious flat water paddling - fast and stable and tough as nails. If paddle speed isn't such a priority but you want stability and economy then the 11' NSP is also worth a look - it also surfs pretty well for a bigger board. As for the "shortboard" maybe check out a 7S Uber fish. They are very, very stable for a small board (9'8) and surf unreal as either a quad or 2 + 1.
That's my 2 cents worth - good luck with it. Borrow and try as many as you can before you buy.

Hey DJ good to get your feedback on the NSP. I know you have been chomping to get on one for a while. I have owned one for a few weeks now and am really enjoying it in short paddles in flat water and in the surf. My missus really loves it because it is incredibly stable in flat and even quite choppy water and she doesn't fall off in the river everytime a boat goes past :) And a big bonus for her is that she can actually carry the thing with it being so light. There are certainly better paddling and surfing boards but for such a competent all-rounder at that price - WOW. Great value supping hey.