Standup Zone Forum

Stand Up Paddle => Wind Powered => Topic started by: sup_romer on March 21, 2015, 04:12:38 PM

Title: Thoughts on Starboard inflatable wind surfer?
Post by: sup_romer on March 21, 2015, 04:12:38 PM
Just saw these boards for the first time. I know they aren't going to be high performance but they seem super versatile. Go for a sail, go for a paddle all in the same day. Go sailing and exporing then if the wind dies break out a collapsible paddle and paddle home.
Title: Re: Thoughts on Starboard inflatable wind surfer?
Post by: spookini on March 21, 2015, 08:16:22 PM
I think the Starboard approach is overkill... a retractable daggerboard which adds a lot of weight -- and would get underfoot during paddling and surfing.

Last season I bought an iSUP (RRD) w/ a mast insert.  I added a 2nd finbox midway on the underbelly, to help w/ upwind sailing.  I found that the 2nd finbox improves flatwater paddling.  With no fin added, the finbox acts like a mini-skeg and the board tracks straighter.  I only had the chance to sail a few times last season.  W/ a 9" fin in the centerbox, the board goes upwind even in light winds.  In higher winds, I tried it with a 5" for less drag.

iSUPs have a mostly flat rear rocker profile.  I shaved off the rubber sidebite fins and got planing, briefly, using the stock (crap) fin.  I plan on adding a better, bigger fin this year and seeing what happens.
For 2015, it looks like Fanatic, JP Australia, RRD, and Naish all are going w/ the fixed centerfinbox on their sailable iSUPs.
So basically those bastards stole my design.  ;D
Title: Re: Thoughts on Starboard inflatable wind surfer?
Post by: DavidJohn on March 23, 2015, 08:20:12 PM
My friend Michael on his new Fanatic last week.. Seem to work ok..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDMSe1h8rCU&feature=youtu.be

https://youtu.be/ZDMSe1h8rCU
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