Thanks all. You have given me a good place to start. My boards are 6'2" to 7"10" (5) and I am 6', 180#. After watching the online clips I found the ic boats impressive but the hp's closer to my surfing style. I once had a decent sea kayak roll, but it is surely rusty by now. Are they similar in execution? I had an Island ski, 8'0", that I never quite gelled with,(perhaps because when the waves were good it stayed home). Also, maybe because of the sea kayak, I felt the want for more contact with the ski. It was fast,and agile, but just didn't quite push the buttons for me. Now an old, lingering knee problem has me looking closer at the kayaks. And as I would only surf a foamy board out of pure desperation I am leaning more towards composite. I don't want to sound arrogant, I just see it from a practical standpoint- going the best you can from the get go assists the learning curve. Thanks again,       John     oh yeah, is there a secret to getting posts through? this is 2nd try and hoping for success