Race ISUP - need advise

[saxmax]

Hi there

I am interested in buying a race ISUP however the more reviews I read the more confused I am ;-) I am from Europe and in the area where I live, there is no SUP shop closeby where I could test the various boards that are available on the market.

Perhaps someone here can give me some advise? I am 65 kg (145 lbs) and 5″10 tall. Skills: advanced. I can only paddle on lakes where there are no waves (unfortunately). My budget is around USD 1,000.-

I was thinking of this baby here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IMAHIMS/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p468_d0_i5?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=05TEA14GW05CM0BG7BHV&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop

what do you think?

best
saxmax

[Fog City Rider]

145 lbs. w/ advanced skills?  For racing in flat water?  Go narrower.  That's a no-brainer. 

[Alkasazi]

agree, go narrower. I paddle a Red Elite 14 for most of my flatwater & downwind paddling. I'm 5'10, 200 lbs.

[capobeachboy]

ULI makes all their boards in the USA and does a lot of customs for team riders.  They're currently selling off some demos and have a 12'6" x 24" x 6" with a standard fin box that would be perfect for someone your weight for flat water.  It's the board with the green deckpad in the middle and it's very lightly used.  The other two ULIs in the photo are also for sale and they're about 27" wide.  Pink deck has a fixed urethane fin with flat water rocker & the yellow one has a standard box and a little nose kick. These would all come in a couple hundred bucks under your budget so PM me if you're interested and I will get them back to the shop so they can do the transition and ship when everyone gets back from the Payette River Games next week. The boards are extremely rugged and can handle 20 psi and they kevlar reinforcement makes them very rigid.     

[saxmax]

Thanks a lot.

capobeachboy, I will get in touch.

Any other boards that I should have a look at?

Cheers
gregor

[levity]

just a comment:  At your weight you do not need a 6" thick board.  A 12'6" board that is 4" thick (100mm) will be plenty to float you as long as it's 25" or more wide.  A thicker board will just put you higher above waterline and may feel "corky".  I'm 160 lb and paddle a 12'6"x28.5"x4" Uli with 30 lb. gear on lakes and rivers.  My wife's 12'6"x 26.5"x4" Uli also floats me fine in flatwater with no gear.  A 4" board will feel more stable and will be lighter than an equivalent 5" or 6" thick model.  The problem with older 4" thick boards was that they were not sufficiently rigid, so the simple and cheap fix was to go thicker.  Uli's advanced construction technology and use of reinforcing kevlar strips top and bottom gives a 4" board that is plenty stiff for up to ~170 lb. especially since they can easily handle 20+ psi (unlike some others).  Capobeachboy can advise further on this.

[saxmax]

Tx, appreciate your comments.

[viatormundi]

There are two brands which have more advanced iSUPs than the rest. Both come from Europe. Red Paddle Co. and Mistral. I would recommend their race models.


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[2Rivers]

Any other boards that I should have a look at?

Cheers
gregor

Here are the stiffest iSUP 12'6 boards in production in ascending widths...

Red Paddle Co - Elite @ 26"
Fanatic - Fly Race Air @ 26.5"
Uli - Special Edition @ 27"
Red Paddle Co - Race @ 28"
Mistral - M1 @ 29"

I agree with the others, that going narrower than what you posted (12'6x30") is more ideal for racing. I know my list above is not staying within your budget, but you wanted advise about specifically racing iSUPs, so that's what's currently the best available imo.
There are several other brands offering iSUPs in 25"-27" widths, but the are not nearly as stiff as compared to ones listed above. Staying within your budget, I'd check out the Shark Sailfish 12'6x26" for $999... https://www.sharksups.com/inflatable-sup-paddle-board/racing

[airSUP]

airSUP 12'6 is under your budget and weight is only approx 19lbs (under 9Kg)

Most brands either weigh a ton or cost the earth

http://air-sup.com/os/index.php/boards/airsup-12foot-6inch-inflatable-sup.html