Thoughts on Starboard inflatable wind surfer?

[sup_romer]

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.

[spookini]

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. 

[DavidJohn]

My friend Michael on his new Fanatic last week.. Seem to work ok..

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