What's the best Downwind Board at present?

[PonoBill]

I just picked up a new Starboard version of the Ku Nalu (12'2" X 26 1/4) at Gorge Performance here in Portland pretty cheap. Starboard discontinued them some time ago, but I suspect there are some languishing at dealers--they are not for newbies unless you either weigh 60 pounds or don't mind falling in every ten seconds. I remember how I suffered on my original Ku Nalu--the first SUP board I bought.

Bottom line, as fast as I remembered, once you get the fin tuned to your weight and stroke it's really a rocket. I fell in three time the first day on the Willamette river.  I never fall on my 12'6". In my defense it was like paddling in a washing machine--the Willamette is busy with moronic power boaters (are they ALL stupid? or just drunk) any hot weekend, and Saturday was a perfect day to be on the river.

I'd recommend this board to anyone looking to get a fast, inexpensive production board for downwind or racing.