178 is not super long. It is common for advanced eastern carvers to own boards longer than 175. 185 is actually pretty common. Those 159 and 163 boards you mentioned, are they softboot boards?
That aside, Mark, it does sound like you are looking for something shorter and more forgiving. I would recommend a metal board, something like a 171 freecarve from Coiler, Donek, or Prior.