im 5'7'' and 160 lbs
i was thinking about 46''

6'4'' or 7'0''

Although l am sure u will get lots of ''advice'' the real best answer is to go to a good local surf shop & discuss ur skill level, ur size & local wave conditions with the folks there. they will give u much better info than ANYBODY out here in cyberspace.Go to a surf shop, not a computer get good accurate information the folks there instead of listening to a bunch of people on the computer who have no idea where u surf. There is NO WAY anybody can give u legitimate answer to this question on line (unless they say ''go to a surf shop1'')

I. After 42 years of surfing, l still get my surfboard buying advice at good local shops in the places where l surf.
http://mckevlins.com/nopopstory.htm
Boards made in Chinese sweatshops:
http://bp3.blogger.com/_hPACOtZKKko/RkST.

nice try guys, he is talking about a skateboard. the length of the deck is only half of the equation. Even then, stance & wheelbase r more important than the overall length of the deck. l would go with any pintail u want with a wheelbase around 30-36 inches. 30 if u plan on putting ur board in a locker or something, 36 if u have a wide stance. You should go for a somewhat wide deck, probably around 9 to 10 inches. You do not want a deck that they say is flexible. You should go with something with camber in the middle of the deck. This is more comfortable for cruising than camber towards the front, which tires out ur front leg. Honestly, theres so many boards out there for what u want that it is hard to make a good suggestion. If u can afford a loaded dervish, I'd go for that.