OB step up recommendations?

not that this is apples to apples in any way but I am 6'5, 210 and my step up is a 7'2. although it is a bitch to duck dive with i have found the extra length helps get into the outer bar waves earlier, which can help. i can't speak to dimensions too much but I wouldn't be afraid to move up in length a little bit from 6'4....

I'm about the same size as you: 5'7, 150. My normal shorty is a PU 5'10 x 2 1/16 x 18". I still ride this up to HH.

My step up was (got chopped in half by closeout) a PU 6'4 x 2 5/16 x 18 7/8. I've had a 6'6, but it was hard getting my back foot on the sweet spot every time. Personally, a Firewire that's 2 1/2" thick would be too floaty for me. I still want to be able to duck dive my board. If you don't want to go thicker, you can get a board with 6oz glass.

I think my next step up will be a 6'3 x 2 1/8" eps/epoxy. I want to go thinner, without sacrificing float and paddlebility. Like i said before, being able to duck dive a board is also really important to me. When you're staring out at 4 rows of white wash and you can't sink your board, there's no chance of making it out.

Good luck.

PS: I used my 6'4 for 1-3' OH max. That's my pain threshold at SFOB (I'm a good paddler, with a not so good aerobic fitness level).

Hey, Talk to your local shaper they will hook you up & you will support your local business at the same time.
You need to talk with him about what you want, how paddle fit you are & what waves you are looking to score etc etc.
Dont be put off by getting a bit more size, it can sometimes be a game changer with strong offshore winds & OB conditions in the TOH range..
I am 250 lbs & 6' 4" & ride a 7' 8" when it gets Big .. and it rips, gets me in early and out when i need.
I am used to my old shaper who is awesome but from way down south.
To be hounest though i have not found better boards for what its worth.
Call Tim Bessell get him to shape you your magic board i sugest his Pocket Rocket desingned by John Roseman & shaped by Tim.
I have 5 of his from my shorties up to my Rhino chasers always does me proud.
Good luck.

Funny you asked as Ive been debating the same thing. My current step-up is a 6'10" x 18 7/8" x 2 3/8" rounded pin. I'm 200 lbs so the assessment is very different. I think it comes down to your weight, physical endurance (it's OB) and surfing skillz. I'm ordering a 7'0" for my semi-gun. I think I would do shorter, thicker with my stepup.

At the end of the day, I think it requires experimentation with the factors mentioned above as it relates to you (or someone you know who knows you and can calibrate for you).

I'm about the same size with a couple more pounds. My step-up is 6'6" x 18 3/4" x 2 3/8" rounded pin. I've used this up to double OH+ here, and also my main travel board.

I love the 6'6 for its versatility. Enough length to paddle and get you into waves, yet loose enough to throw around like you're usual shortboard.

Main shortboard is 6'2 x 18 3/4" x 2 1/4" . After the 6'6" is a couple 7'0s, a 7'2", and a 7'6"

i will agree with OB Brit. there is always value in talking to a local shaper. that is where i got my 7'2 referenced above and where my next board (6'8) is coming from. james at sunsent shapers is my guy - go check them out.

I am 6'0" and 160 lbs. I ride a 6'2" x 18 1/4" x 2 1/4" thruster. Ocean Beach isn't really a racey wave when it's head and a half. It's pretty shouldery as far as beachbreaks go, actually. So I find the thruster to provide a certain level of control in the pocket. A quad will run ahead of the pocket a little bit too much for my liking. I stick to a narrower tail (13 3/4") rounded pin. Lotsa rocker obviously. That's about it. There are several other subtle nuances that I won't go into for this little recommendation, partially because I don't fully understand them.

If volume/planing area remain about the same, it seems to me as if a wider shorter boards drags you more than a narrow longer board when both paddling and when getting mauled by the clean-up set.