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