Messages

1

Downwind and Racing / Re: What makes someone easy or hard to draft?

« on: February 22, 2017, 04:57:31 PM »

You did cover it conceptually PB, the bean-counter in me was just looking for numbers. 

I think I get it, there is zero reduction in work load, if you speed up to the new theoretical hull speed.

We did some (unscientific) testing in messy upwind chop a few months ago on a 50 stroke run the 1st draftee was taking 35-37 strokes.  This is with experienced racers and drafters working near aerobic threshold

Further to Pono's awesome explanation can confirm that the extended waterline affect works. When it happens the leader gets a push equivalent to what you experience in motor-racing but waaay slower (think NASCAR draft trains)

2

Gear Talk / Re: 2017 Allstar 14 reviews???

« on: January 23, 2017, 03:45:12 PM »

It really depends what you want to do. If your serious about hydrodynamics you probably want to go as fast as possible, so if you can balance on the 24.5 then that will probably be better for you.

Best bet is to test both of them and see how you feel.  Personally (at 220lbs ) I wouldn't buy the 27 unless it was a second board specifically for downwinding/surf races

3

Gear Talk / Re: 3pcs travel paddle size option ?

« on: January 15, 2017, 06:17:51 PM »

Ernie,

  I'd recommend the 86
 
 I have paddles ranging from  110 - 81 and my go to paddle is the 81 for racing and downwinding, and I'm a a good chunck heavier than you. I'd surf it as well but its too long,  I surf with an old 100 that I shortened for my kid, but I'm thinking about getting a smaller paddle for that as well

4

SUP General / Re: Locking Tie Downs

« on: January 15, 2017, 06:08:36 PM »

I've had the same problem as Lucabresi. For that matter, it's always been extremely hard to pull the cam closed enough to lock the straps. Pretty annoying. The Kanulock cams don't like cold damp climates either and mine show corrosion. So they aren't perfect for sure. It's just that I haven't found anything better.

 I've had some problems with mine, but they are getting on 5 years old.  I gave the locks on mine a dose of WD-40 and they are working fine again.

 Also when downwinding make sure you get your straps back not  someone else's, the key doesn't work so good

5

Downwind and Racing / Re: "Low budget" race board options

« on: September 22, 2016, 12:27:53 AM »

A couple more from the same vendor.  Opinions?  Though to get a 14' board, I'd have to figure out how to store it...


It lists the construction of the Starboard as AST.  What is that?  It only describes the carbon version.

This looks like they are clearing old stock, so its good way to get a deal on a new board. If this vendor is nearby go and see them and try some of the boards out, you'll get a feel for which ones you like. The Sprint is a pure flat water board, should be great for river and small lake work, but it has limits.  The Race you posted before was a fore-runner of the current All Star

AST is Starboards non-carbon construction technique. Perfectly fine if you aren't going to get super serious about racing and a good chunk tougher than carbon boards.

6

SUP General / Re: Pin Hole Repair on Carbon Board

« on: September 20, 2016, 12:38:56 AM »

or if your a bodger like me just get some marine filler and slap it in there

7

Gear Talk / Re: PFD's Questions????

« on: August 31, 2016, 07:58:11 PM »

If you are going out in gnarly conditions, then I recommend a full kayaking or surfski type PFD. Fiddling with a pull cord, having to switch the belt around from your back to the front may be just too much in an emergency situation

I agree with you Off-Shore, we generally only take PFDs out when we feel the need i.e. we are taking them as a safety devices not just for compliance (generally not an issue here).  That generally means conditions where if the leash broke  you are going to need a buoyancy aid.  The idea of trying to inflate and rely on a belt PFD in this situation is questionable.

I had an experience earlier this year where I took a tumble off my board and smacked my ribs on the rail. Very, very painful. I was wearing a waist belt which of course didn’t offer any protection at all for my ribs. After recommendations from another Zoner (I think it was Eagle???) I purchased a Kokatat Orbit PFD. It is low profile and not obtrusive at all. I now wear it every time out. Was a great investment!

https://kokatat.com/product/orbit-tour-pfd-lvuobt

I've been there myself.  In a recent downwind race, running hard against a friend we nasty situation where his board landed on the back of mine and I took a knock to the head.  Totally screwed my balance and I struggle to get the board in through the overhead break.  Its got me thinking that bad stuff can happen out there and really I need a PFD that WILL float me if go into the water feeling less then 100%

8

SUP General / Re: Best way to make a case to local leaders that SUP should be allowed on lakes

« on: August 16, 2016, 04:56:35 PM »

At this point (being the year 2016) if they really don’t know what SUP is (and cant’ tell the difference between a SUP board and a sail/windsurf board) then that speaks volumes about their competence and how familiar they are with the world around them and if they should even be doing the job they’re doing.  That being said, don’t step on their toes telling them how stupid they are, ha ha ha.  There has to be a way to show and explain to them that SUP boards are paddle craft just like canoes and kayaks.

Take it out kneel on it and call it a canoe

9

Downwind and Racing / Re: Which 14? SB Ace 14 x 27 or SIC X14 Pro x 26 or Naish Javelin Carbon 14' x 26?

« on: August 15, 2016, 07:25:57 PM »

So, the time came to sell on my trusty and wobbly Think XO 14' prototype to someone much younger with better balance, and time to buy a new board to race and to train on... The dilemma I have is which one to go for of the following?

1. 2017 SB Ace 14' x 27
2. 2016 SIC X14 Pro x 26
3. 2016 Naish Javelin Carbon 14' x 26

I'm no longer the hard core racer I was, and so making sure I have something that I can race and paddle upwind and downwind and in cross-chop in non races is something I'm keen to have. I'm no longer able to make the podium, so it's all about competing for me now on something fun rather than something fast.

I've read so much about the Ace being a great downwind and downbreeze board that I am veering towards this, but it obviously won't race as well as the SIC or the Naish.. Having a SICMaui F16v3 and SIC Bullet 14v1 TWC, I'm good for pure downwind boards and touring boards respectively so keen to get a Zone perspective on these choices.

I'd encourage you to rethink that last statement. The ACE doesn't turn as well as a flat board so there is a disadvantage if your racing really short buoy courses and it really doesn't work too well in pure surf races (for the average skill set).  But
- It is blisteringly fast upwind and into chop
- It handles the sloppy conditions you find in races really well
- It catches downwind bumps well
So meets a lot of your aims if you are prepare to put some time into learning how to paddle it.

As an example we have a regular week night 3km race with between 8 and 11 buoy turns, that runs in conditions from dead flat to wind blown head high bumps. We have a high proportion of the elite paddlers in the country turn up to this race and the ACE would be the most popular race board, a lot of the regular crew have race board quivers and choose to run ACE's rather than kick turn capable flat deck boards.

That said there are a fair few 14x25" AllStars, dugout NSPs and a hand full of Naishs and SICs being paddled pretty fast

10

SUP Safety / Re: Make sure you have a life jacket with you.

« on: August 01, 2016, 02:30:30 PM »

it is very sad and I am am shocked at how many people die in lakes that at first glance seem pretty calm. Or does the wind come up and play a part?

I'm no expect on this but lakes can behave in really weird ways.  I know lake Windermere in England is notorious for having all sorts of crazy currents and undertows. My gran used to live there and we where always told not to swim in the lake it was that dangerous. 

 I suppose its all about appropriate knowledge and experience.  I can remember sitting on a beach in the UK (one of the few with surf) and a a mother telling here kids to swim in the rip because 'its calmer there'. 

 But as to the thread I think overall safety for beginners is a real challenge. They really need to be wearing PFDs and a leash

11

Downwind and Racing / Re: M2O - 2016

« on: July 31, 2016, 08:12:10 PM »

Good to see Sam Thom rocking in at 15th on his first try. Hell of a nice guys and the worlds most insane cadence

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SUP General / Re: What does your SUP carrying vehicle look like...?

« on: July 28, 2016, 06:04:15 PM »

One of our local paddlers. Proper old school mini with a 14"

13

Downwind and Racing / Re: Is this part of what Jim Terrell warned us about?

« on: July 21, 2016, 05:26:28 PM »

I would argue no. 

Dugout boards like the Starboard ACE have been around for years (before Jim wrote that article) and are very effective in sloppy choppy conditions, going up wind as well as downwinding. Take a look at the videos for the King of the Cut everyone was on dugouts.

As to your specific points
1) They only hurt more if you fall on the edges, I haven't managed that in several years of paddling ACEs
2) Actually I can get on a dugout faster than a flat board. I wrap an elbow over the edge and just lever myself on. You can also catch the board as you fall by grabbing the raised edge
3) Yeah they really suck when they fill up and the drain hole usually only work when they are moving

And they really don't surf. When you catch a wave you have to just straight line it and hang on. Our national downwinder ended at a beach with dumping overhead, I was really happy when I didn't take the drop on the set wave I tried for as I got to the beach, but I still got worked over in the white water

14

SUP General / Re: Race Board Volume - pro's and cons

« on: July 09, 2016, 04:25:10 PM »

Hi gm,

  Being a similar weight I keep running into volume questions my self when trying to  find a fast narrow race board.  I don't have a good answer. 

  I was talking with Travis earlier this year about using high sided boards downwinders and the new dugout NSP downwinder and he said that the sides give 'reserve' volume. My interpretation is he is talking about having usable volume in the right place at the right time in rough conditions where there are differing volume of water at different parts of the board.

  Personally I found the 24" 2016 AllStar to be quite nice, even though it claims to be designed for a max weight on 90kg. Where as I found the 2014 23" ACE to be really corky and the 2102 27" ACE to be a barge with just way to much volume (90 litres more than the 25" of that year)

15

Downwind and Racing / Re: An example of how not to regulate raceboard design

« on: July 06, 2016, 06:00:29 PM »

Regulation needs to have a clearly defined goal, and any rules need to be focused on achieving just that goal (a small set of goals). Much like effective performance measures for a business.

The best set of rules I have competed under where for 2 litre saloon car racing. Fundamentally the rules where based on normalizing the potential performance of different types of cars, the easier and cheaper it was to get horsepower out of your engine the heavier the car's minimum weight all providing a nominally equal power to weight ratio.

This meant we had a wide range of vehicles capable of winning and to a reasonable degree the people at the front where the ones who put more effort in and could drive better.

If we have to have rules they should be limited to this sort of philosophy (anyone up for a minimum board and rider weight