WharfRat, that's one (Prevail 12ft) I was thinking about. I've seen it a couple times at tackle shops and asked about it - "Is it a good rod?". No one's given me a very positive reply. One salesman said something about it not being very good for casting - but casting a long way isn't my main concern. Maybe it wasn't clear what I wanted the rod for.
Penn makes some fancier surf rods which I don't think we get in this country. There's a Penn Carnage rod that sounds good (not available here). I'll have another look at the Prevail, if there's one still around. I can't remember if it's got Fuji guides.