Why length is the wrong place to start
Two fish at the same length can be several liters apart, and a short, wide fish can carry more foam than a longer, narrower shortboard. If you size a fish like your shortboard, by feet and inches, you usually end up with more board than you meant to buy.
When to go bigger or smaller
Go up a size if your waves are soft, you surf less than once a week, or you are newer to hardboards. Use the newer-to-hardboards column in the weight table.
Go down a size if your waves have more power and you already surf a shortboard well. The extra width still gives you paddle; you want the board to fit the pocket.
Boards come from the Quivr catalog and rank higher when their full wave-size range covers more of the fish waves band and their power midpoint sits closer to it. Ratings only break close ties. Max two per brand. A size cell names a stock size only when its liters land within about 10% of the starting volume; otherwise it says how far the chart is from it.
Starting volume by weight
Same starting point as the Quivr app: weight in kilos × 0.60 if you are newer to hardboards, × 0.46 for an everyday surfer, × 0.40 if advanced. It is a starting volume, not a length.
| If you weigh | Newer to hardboards | Everyday | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 130 lb | 35.4L | 27.1L | 23.6L |
| 150 lb | 40.8L | 31.3L | 27.2L |
| 170 lb | 46.3L | 35.5L | 30.8L |
| 190 lb | 51.7L | 39.6L | 34.5L |
| 210 lb | 57.2L | 43.8L | 38.1L |
| 230 lb | 62.6L | 48.0L | 41.7L |
Closest stock size on real fish, by weight (everyday surfer)
| Board | Wave size | At 150 lb (everyday) | At 180 lb (everyday) | At 210 lb (everyday) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roberts Flying Hippie | Knee-high → head-high | 5'8" · 31.79L | 5'11" · 36.94L | 6'3" · 43.16L |
| Firewire Machadocado | Knee-high → head-high | 5'5" · 30.5L | 6'0" · 40.1L | 6'1" · 43.3L |
| Dead Kooks Riches RF | Knee-high → head-high | 6'0" · 31.4L | chart tops out at 33.7L — less foam than 37.6L | chart tops out at 33.7L — less foam than 43.8L |
| McTavish Vincent | Knee-high → head-high | chart starts at 39.1L — more foam than 31.3L | 6'5" · 39.1L | 6'9" · 44.1L |
| Rusty D Min | Knee-high → head-high | 5'10" · 31L | 6'4" · 37L | chart tops out at 37L — less foam than 43.8L |
| Firewire Seaside | Knee-high → head-high | 5'6" · 32.7L | 5'9" · 37.3L | 6'1" · 46.5L |
| Rusty Miso | Knee-high → overhead | 5'9" · 31.7L | 6'3" · 37.8L | 6'8" · 44L |
The boards
1. Roberts Flying Hippie
Roberts Flying Hippie runs knee-high to head-high, covering the whole fish waves band (knee-high to head-high) and not much beyond it — a specialist for exactly these days. Its soft power midpoint sits almost exactly on the typical power band for fish waves; overall the power window reads soft to moderate. Skill-wise it reads intermediate at the midpoint, with an intermediate to advanced overall window.
At 150 lb (everyday), the closest Roberts Flying Hippie stock size is 5'8" at 31.79 liters.
At 180 lb (everyday), the closest Roberts Flying Hippie stock size is 5'11" at 36.94 liters.
At 210 lb (everyday), the closest Roberts Flying Hippie stock size is 6'3" at 43.16 liters.
Quivr catalog read: The Flying Hippie offers a blend of retro vibes and modern performance, making it ideal for surfers looking for fun and versatility in a variety of wave conditions.
Category: Fish · Catalog ability: intermediate
2. Firewire Machadocado
Firewire Machadocado runs knee-high to head-high, covering the whole fish waves band and not much beyond it — a specialist for exactly these days. Its soft power midpoint sits below the typical power band for fish waves, so it should feel liveliest on the softer days; overall the power window reads soft to moderate. Skill-wise it reads beginner-friendly at the midpoint, with a beginner-friendly to intermediate overall window.
At 150 lb (everyday), the closest Firewire Machadocado stock size is 5'5" at 30.5 liters.
At 180 lb (everyday), the closest Firewire Machadocado stock size is 6'0" at 40.1 liters.
At 210 lb (everyday), the closest Firewire Machadocado stock size is 6'1" at 43.3 liters.
Quivr catalog read: The Machadocado excels in small to overhead waves, offering great stability and speed for surfers of all abilities.
Category: Hybrid · Squash tail · Catalog ability: beginner · 5.0★ from 22 Quivr ratings
3. Dead Kooks Riches RF
Dead Kooks Riches RF runs knee-high to head-high, covering the whole fish waves band and not much beyond it — a specialist for exactly these days. Its soft power midpoint sits almost exactly on the typical power band for fish waves; overall the power window reads soft to moderate. Skill-wise it reads intermediate at the midpoint, with an intermediate to advanced overall window.
At 150 lb (everyday), the closest Dead Kooks Riches RF stock size is 6'0" at 31.4 liters.
At 180 lb (everyday): chart tops out at 33.7L — less foam than 37.6L.
At 210 lb (everyday): chart tops out at 33.7L — less foam than 43.8L.
Quivr catalog read: The Riches RF is a versatile twin keel fish that excels in a variety of conditions, offering speed and drive.
Category: Fish · Catalog ability: intermediate
4. McTavish Vincent
McTavish Vincent runs knee-high to head-high, covering the whole fish waves band and not much beyond it — a specialist for exactly these days. Its moderate power midpoint sits almost exactly on the typical power band for fish waves; overall the power window reads soft to moderate. Skill-wise it reads intermediate at the midpoint, with a beginner-friendly to intermediate overall window.
At 150 lb (everyday): chart starts at 39.1L — more foam than 31.3L.
At 180 lb (everyday), the closest McTavish Vincent stock size is 6'5" at 39.1 liters.
At 210 lb (everyday), the closest McTavish Vincent stock size is 6'9" at 44.1 liters.
Quivr catalog read: The Vincent is a versatile hybrid board that excels in a range of wave conditions, offering smooth gliding and nimble performance.
Category: Hybrid · Swallow tail · Catalog ability: intermediate
5. Rusty D Min
Rusty D Min runs knee-high to head-high, overlapping the fish waves band from knee-high to head-high. Its soft power midpoint sits almost exactly on the typical power band for fish waves; overall the power window reads soft to moderate. Skill-wise it reads intermediate at the midpoint, with a beginner-friendly to advanced overall window.
At 150 lb (everyday), the closest Rusty D Min stock size is 5'10" at 31 liters.
At 180 lb (everyday), the closest Rusty D Min stock size is 6'4" at 37 liters.
At 210 lb (everyday): chart tops out at 37L — less foam than 43.8L.
Quivr catalog read: The D Min is a versatile board that excels in smaller waves while providing maneuverability and ease of paddling.
Category: Hybrid · Diamond tail · Catalog ability: intermediate · 5.0★ from 4 Quivr ratings
6. Firewire Seaside
Firewire Seaside runs knee-high to head-high, covering the whole fish waves band and not much beyond it — a specialist for exactly these days. Its soft power midpoint sits below the typical power band for fish waves, so it should feel liveliest on the softer days; overall the power window reads soft to moderate. Skill-wise it reads intermediate at the midpoint, with a beginner-friendly to advanced overall window.
At 150 lb (everyday), the closest Firewire Seaside stock size is 5'6" at 32.7 liters.
At 180 lb (everyday), the closest Firewire Seaside stock size is 5'9" at 37.3 liters.
At 210 lb (everyday), the closest Firewire Seaside stock size is 6'1" at 46.5 liters.
Quivr catalog read: The Seaside is designed for fun in smaller, weaker waves, offering a skatey and loose feel while still allowing for tighter turns and carves.
Category: Hybrid · Swallow tail · Catalog ability: intermediate · 4.9★ from 21 Quivr ratings
7. Rusty Miso
Rusty Miso runs knee-high to overhead, covering the whole fish waves band and running past it to overhead, so there is headroom when a set stands up. Its soft power midpoint sits almost exactly on the typical power band for fish waves; overall the power window reads soft to moderate. Skill-wise it reads intermediate at the midpoint, with a beginner-friendly to intermediate overall window.
At 150 lb (everyday), the closest Rusty Miso stock size is 5'9" at 31.7 liters.
At 180 lb (everyday), the closest Rusty Miso stock size is 6'3" at 37.8 liters.
At 210 lb (everyday), the closest Rusty Miso stock size is 6'8" at 44 liters.
Quivr catalog read: The Rusty Miso is a versatile fish that excels in small to medium-sized waves, offering a fun and responsive ride.
Category: Fish · Full tail · Catalog ability: intermediate · 4.8★ from 11 Quivr ratings
Compare these picks head to head
Live Quivr comparison pages for pairs in this list — same spectra, side by side:
FAQ
What size fish surfboard for 200 lbs?
Start near 42 liters if you surf most days, or near 54 liters if you are newer to hardboards. For example, the closest Roberts Flying Hippie stock size is 6'2" at 42.27 liters.
Should a fish be shorter than my shortboard?
Usually, yes — a few inches shorter, because the extra width and thickness carry the volume. Compare liters, not length.
What size fish for a beginner?
A fish is not the easiest first board. If you are newer to hardboards and still want one, size it from the newer-to-hardboards column so it paddles well.