All things being equal (outline, foil, rails, thickness, rider weight, etc) and the only variable being the weight of a 6’2" fish-type board, which is going to paddle better, heavier or lighter?
I’m asking because it seems to me that I can pick off waves more easily with a board that has a bit more weight since each stroke ads to the inertia of the board and that the lighter boards do not carry momentum as well. Sure, in the most critical part of the wave, a one or two stroke takeoff is possible with either, but I’m not talking about that, rather getting in to a wave that you’re not in position for the peak but could still catch without needing to chase it for 5 yards either. Just the influence of the board’s weight.
It isn’t that simple. There is an optimal weight to catch the wave, but that weight is only for that wave. And you have to quantify how heavy is your light board, and how heavy is your heavy board.
But as a rule, ultra light boards have a harder time catching waves innot too steep, bumpy, choppy, offshore, backwash conditions. In perfect glass, with not a drop of water out of place, go light. In steep bumpy conditions, ip to a point, a little more weight is nice. But like the extreme lightweight, extreme heavy weight doesn’t work.
For me and my size, in fun conditions, (6’-6" and 210 pounds) a 7’ board weighing in at about 7 1/2 pounds is nice. Bigger surf, up to 11 pounds feels really solid.