off brand name boards

[OUTSIDEWAVE]

I was just browsing on CL and came across what seems to be dozens of off brand name boards  like Kainalu   which are made in Oceanside.   so what is with these boards?   are they  mass produced tanks from China or   a hidden gem from  a local guy starting out?   Guys like  Joe Blair Dave Daum and Blane Chambers alliterated some where long ago.   so any hidden gems out there?

[kayakdave]

I was just browsing on CL and came across what seems to be dozens of off brand name boards  like Kainalu   which are made in Oceanside.   so what is with these boards?   are they  mass produced tanks from China or   a hidden gem from  a local guy starting out?   Guys like  Joe Blair Dave Daum and Blane Chambers alliterated some where long ago.   so any hidden gems out there?

I had one of the Kainalu 10'6" boards for about a year. They are tanks from China but I found it to be a reasonably decent board to learn on for the money. It was heavier than most 10'6" name brand boards but not so much that it was noticeable on or off the water. I sold that board for what I paid for it about 6 months ago and moved to a 9'6" SurfTech that surfs much better than the Kainalu. So if you are looking for a good beginner board or for a harbor cruiser I'd say it might be worth considering. But IMHO it won't be great at anything.

Hope that helps.

Dave

[TallDude]

It's so mixed-up up now days, it's hard to judge a board just because it's made in China or Thailand.  Search SUP on alibaba and you can take your pick. Minimum purchase 10 boards. Give them a name, a logo, and you've got your own board company.
It takes a lot more work and attention to detail to get something really good from overseas. They can do light weight quality glassing with reinforced fin boxes and v-bagged composites for extra $$$. Cobra factory does exelent work. I see more and more plastic roto - molded Sup's now days. Most of the people who buy these have no idea of what Sup's are typically made of. These people paddle mostly lakes and rivers where a 50# plastic sup is just fine. I've seen a guy who I new was a farmer from overhearing him talk to his daughter, trying to Sup for his first time on a plastic sup. After about and hour on the water he was feeling the stoke:) There is a board for everyone.  We zoner ' s tend to be a picky sort.