Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: parrysurf on February 05, 2009, 07:42:59 PM
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Hi,
I have been scanning your forum and the rest of the web for the best SUP board for me. I would like to find a used one(financial reasons) but most of all I want to get the right board for me to learn on.
My stats: 40, 6'2, 240#, have been surfing for 30+ years, I am looking for a board to ride/exercise on the small days/take to the lake for paddle and wake chasing.
Want a stable board that will float my fat ass...and still give me some good performance on the wave.
Thanks for any advice,
Parry
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Lotta big boards out there but I would say you couldnt go wrong with the big 12' Laird. Definately would float you and surfs ok for a big guy.
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Definitely a good number of boards that would work. The laird is one as Tracy mentioned another is the 12-6 Starboard, the Naish 11-6 is another. These are probably the big boards that you are most likely to find used. I have a few inches and pounds on you and started on the Starboard 12-6. It surfs surprisingly well for a big board when you step back onto the tail and is one of the best cruising boards out there. i have a lot of boards to choose from today but still use the Starboard for cruising and even for surfing when I need/want to. Both of these sessions are on the 12-6. One cruising, one surfing (if you can call that surfing.. ;D)
http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=3070.0 (http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=3070.0)
http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=3120.0 (http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=3120.0)
You can also take a look at the board showcase on kenalu to see what other big boards might suit you. I was the official heavyweight newb tester last february when we did the showcase.. ;D. Any comments you see from the 260 lb beginner on the big boards are mine. You might get lucky and find one of the others listed there used. Make sure you read the intro text on the 1st page so you understand the subjective nature of the showcase....Good Luck.
http://www.kenalu.com/forums/showcase-index/ (http://www.kenalu.com/forums/showcase-index/)
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One other great choice is the Jimmy Lewis 11', Stable, easy to surf. Not the best cruiser, but not bad.
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I'd get the big Laird- anytime I'm giving a lesson to someone your size it's my go to board- wide, stable, buoyant and it surf's good too if you've got the weight to throw it around. Also, the thing can take some good hits- they're built pretty well (Surftech).
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Hi parrysurf,
We've taught hundreds and hundreds of people in our demos and lessons...
The best bang for the buck board for a 250 pounder on the planet is the Starboard "Big Easy" in TufSkin...
12' x 32"...handle and full deck pad...super durable...light for it's size...great glide and surf rocker...we have a few left at $1099...I haven't seen anything out there of this quality at that price...
http://surfingsports.com/images/tufskin_mr_easy2.jpg
http://surfingsports.com/images/starboard_mr_easy_tufskin1.jpg
http://surfingsports.com/images/starboard_mr_easy_tufskin2.jpg
Here is a pic of the '08 next to a wood '09...if you didn't have the budgetary constraint, another bigger board to consider is the 12' Hobie ATR...
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My buddy is 250lbs and rides the Starboard 12'6" like it's nothing. At 180 the same board feels good to me too.
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I recommend the Bill Foote 11' 0".I'm 225,not quite 250,but that board is real nice for a big guy,it turns amazingly well for a big board,and stable to boot even in chop.Highly recommend it!My 2 cents
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Wow thanks for all the input. I will be keeping my eyes peeled...sounds like there are a bunch of good choices out there, now it's finding one on the cheap!
Thanks again ;D
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any one know if this would work well or float me?
http://www.islesurfboards.com/120isleepoxystanduppaddleredstripes.aspx
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Regardless of performance...durability should be a key element in choosing a 1st SUP...especially, for a "value shopper"...
"Cheap" is relative...if a fin box blows out because it was set in white , fluffy, cooler foam without reinforcement...it prolly won't be cheap to repair it...
Manufacturers should be willing to lift up the hood and let you L@@K inside...and inspect QUALITY parameters...
The standing zone on a SUP should be reinforced to withstand heel dents and knee impressions...
The rails should be reinforced to withstand paddle strikes...otherwise, chunks of gel coat will get knocked off and your shiny SUP will L@@K like a woodpecker has had it's way with it in no time...
A 3D cutaway schematic will help level the field...can't judge a book by it's cover...
A shiny paint job and gloss coat are not 2 structural layers...
A sandwiched , vacuum bagged board is stronger, and generally lighter...
L@@K for layers of fiberglass...higher density foam...Divinycell...wood veneer...etc...
Recessed handles, pads, good fin(s), double leash plugs, and vent plugs add value...
So does a warranty...the Starboard product has all of this and more...
http://surfingsports.com/starboard.asp
Construction, performance, durabilty, and overall quality should matter to a value shopper...
Anyone advertising a "cheap" SUP would have had to make compromises in one, or more, of the above board attributes...
We were the first company to work with Sean Ordonez (Maui) to bring molded, epoxy, production SUP's to market several years ago...to my knowledge, most, if not all of them, are still alive and kicking...and they still L@@K pretty decent...
I've seen a few that have basically lived outside on car racks for 3 seasons...and L@@K better than some brands after 3 months...
They were built at the Sumitomo factory to high standards...same construction as the Bill Foote 11' x 30" SUP's that paddlur recommended...we carry them...great product...we were able to provide design and color input to Bill...love the Thunderbird green...
http://surfingsports.com/images/foote2.jpg
http://surfingsports.com/images/foote1.jpg
http://surfingsports.com/gbeach_sup/index.html
They are priced competitively at $1399...handle, pad, & fins...
http://surfingsports.com/2008/10/bill-foote-sups.asp
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i dont know islesurf - they may be fine but if you are on a budget
i would suggets you get a 2nd hand board - lots around
making a large composite epoxy board is complex (see the starboard
post above) - a cheap board may be fine for flat wter
pottering but will not handle well in surf or last very long
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SUPsports thanks, I will try and come up to your shop this week...with my credit card. I am in Ventura, so you are close. Thanks again...see ya this week.
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Hi parrysurf,
Kewlio...
Our 100% SUP store is open 7 days/week...10AM - 5PM +...
Google map link is on the site...
FYI...you won't be the biggest guy in Ventura area doing standup...there's a guy named Scott up in Oak View who we hooked up...he is 300ish...
C-ya...
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Add the big 11'6" Naish to the list.. I've seen some big Boom-ba-larda's on them and they love it.
DJ
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Hey Parrysurf,
I have a 12' Isle and it is an ok beginner board... if I had to do it again I'd spend a few extra dollars on something higher quality. The Isle is holding up ok considering how much I have beat on it. But I did rip out one of the small side fin boxes early on. It also has heel dents where I stand like SUP sports mentioned. I have definitely got my $600 out of it. If you can though... shop local.
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The Kalama 11'6" by NSP is fast, stable and surfs good. you may be able to find one used by now
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Wow, for completeness of argument and clarity I'm voting Wardog as the guy I would choose if I needed an advocate. Of course it helps that he's been there and done that for a while now. And there are no truer words than cheap isn't cheap. All these years of beating stuff up have taught me that in spades. You always want to buy the right stuff, get value for your money, and get the highest level of quality that you can manage (note I didn't say "afford", most of the stuff I still love I couldn't afford when I got them). Every corner you cut is one you live to regret. Every thing you acquire because you appreciate the degree of effort required to create it is a thing that will give you pleasure as long as it (or you) last.
The easiest way to simplify your life is to pare down your junk (things you don't love) and preserve those rare things that make you smile every time you use them
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choose once choose wisely