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Am, :naughty very similar size and weight.

My favourite board is a Fly Surfer Fly Door 170.

Use the board from 10 knots to 25 knots in flat water, surf.

Just change my kite to suit.

Does everything well.

BigD wrote:I will probably advance onto a foil board at a later stage, but the places I ride at the moment have shallow sand banks so I would like something in the interim.

I currently have a 10m, 13m, 15m and 18m so I already have the big kites so that's not a concern. My current board works so I'm not looking to go bigger, I just want a slightly more advanced board.

Get a short mast for the foil then. Or a surfboard, North Nugget or something like a Vanguard with more volume than the ones they usually sell. I think Firewire does bigger sizes than most companies sell...

12m tube is pretty much the biggest tube I use. If I need more kite, I'd rather have something that goes upwind nicely e.g.. a foil kite.

Why is a bigger board like the Mako 165 better for folks over say, 200 pounds? Even a big board like the Mako 165 King has very little actual flotation and will sink like a rock when a 230 lb dude steps on it, much less a 280 pounder, so why is it better for "big guys"

I'm similar size/weight. Started on Shinn King George III (now King Gee) 150x50, then went F-One Trax Carbon LW 145x45 which I found was too flexible in stronger winds due to loads I was putting on it. Essentially what lighter riders need in lighter wind isn't what you or I need. Did similar process to you, but sent emails to couple of companies. Simon from Nomad said no problem, I'll change lay-up & rocker and recommend 140x43cm. I've had it 2 years now and v happy. Mine is his mid-range Prototype model. Like others have said, use of surfboard and foil gives added flexibility and riding in lighter conditions. Use the Nomad 14-36+ kts.

stenner wrote:Why is a bigger board like the Mako 165 better for folks over say, 200 pounds? Even a big board like the Mako 165 King has very little actual flotation and will sink like a rock when a 230 lb dude steps on it, much less a 280 pounder, so why is it better for "big guys"

Surface area

Thanks everyone,

I have decided to wait to try out the board instead of ordering anything online, even if it means I must wait a bit longer, make sure it is the correct board at first.

Does anyone know if there is a dealer for Shinn in South Africa?

matth wrote:

stenner wrote:Why is a bigger board like the Mako 165 better for folks over say, 200 pounds? Even a big board like the Mako 165 King has very little actual flotation and will sink like a rock when a 230 lb dude steps on it, much less a 280 pounder, so why is it better for "big guys"

Surface area

I was hoping for more of an in-depth explanation, there's got to be me nuance to the reasons than just surface area. Otherwise why not a 4x8 sheet of plywood?

stenner wrote:

matth wrote:

stenner wrote:Why is a bigger board like the Mako 165 better for folks over say, 200 pounds? Even a big board like the Mako 165 King has very little actual flotation and will sink like a rock when a 230 lb dude steps on it, much less a 280 pounder, so why is it better for "big guys"

Surface area

I was hoping for more of an in-depth explanation, there's got to be me nuance to the reasons than just surface area. Otherwise why not a 4x8 sheet of plywood?

Float is useful when you are not moving quickly, but once you get planing speed, then projected surface area is important.

I am a larger lad and have found float, width and rocker significant ....... width and rocker more important than float.

I have a 23 inch wide (3 inch thick) fish. Almost no rocker by surfboard standards, so it's projected surface area is huge ...... Brilliant is low wind conditions because it planes well and gives me float during the wind lulls. A Nugget (which has significant volume) is good in low wind as well because it planes well and gives me float during the wind lulls but works well also in 25 knots. Firewire Evo is the equally as good as the Nugget.

I find the Mako King has too much rocker in low wind conditions, as does the Cab Tronic, but both are good when there is 15 knot or more but they do not project significant surface area because of the rocker.

I have a CrazyFly Cruiser (150x50) and CrazyFly Door (160x44) and both are good and have very little rocker. But the 150x50 Cruiser is just a little bit stiffer (and hence less rocker) and wider so I feel it goes better in lighter winds then the door. No volume at all, so in big lulls you sink.

I generally ride the Crazyfly Door with just a deck pad like a surfboard, works a treat. If there are larger waves, I will ride the Nugget or an Evo.

But for super low wind (10 knots), I foil.

stenner wrote:

matth wrote:

stenner wrote:Why is a bigger board like the Mako 165 better for folks over say, 200 pounds? Even a big board like the Mako 165 King has very little actual flotation and will sink like a rock when a 230 lb dude steps on it, much less a 280 pounder, so why is it better for "big guys"

Surface area

I was hoping for more of an in-depth explanation, there's got to be me nuance to the reasons than just surface area. Otherwise why not a 4x8 sheet of plywood?

Because the weight of the plywood would break your knees

More planing area makes it easy to get and keep going. I've a Mako 150 and due to the rocker and my ineptitude, it's more like a 135 TT for me...

Disregarding what board you chose, the most important factor is width.
Of course ocean waters are more difficult than lagoons and lakes.
At your weight, the smallest width I would recommend you is 45cm, especially under 18 knots.
For winds over 18 knots, 42 cm width should be enough.