Mistral Emotion iSUP

[LeeBee]

Got my new Mistral Emotion iSUP last week and have paddled it a few times, and thought some folks might be interested in my comments. The board is 14' x 28' x 6" with a volume of 374 liters. Listed max rider weight is 247 lbs. Quite flat rocker with only a little at the nose. Less than the Red Paddle race, similar to the Starboard based on pictures. Max. inflation pressure is 15 psig, and it is a good workout pumping it up due to the volume and a relatively small diameter pump. Weight is about 24 lbs.
I am 6'2" and 195 lbs. so my comments reflect that. On my local flat water lake with little wind or chop, the board seems fast with good glide. I would say 85-90% of my BlackBox UNO. It is very stable, even for a large beginner with reasonable balance. That said with the high volume I would go to the smaller 12' 6" model if you are under 175 lbs. In 15-18 MPH winds and an 8" chop it is a lot of work to go to weather, as there is a lot of windage (the rider too). The UNO might be 30-40% faster. under these conditions. This is a very big board, but it seems stiff. My comments are based on using a Gladiator Elite Fin, which just fits the fin box. Not sure when Mistral is coming to the US but this is a nice board for us bigger paddlers.

[baddog]

Always curious about the Mistral new iCross technology of a couple years ago that changed to the Equipe made in Germany technology and now their claims is;

"We could confuse you with technological jargon, but when it all comes down to it we know what you want; performance, durability, quality and value for money."
 
Do you know what technology your board is built with?  Is it made in Germany or elsewhere?

[LeeBee]

I do not have any details, but the Equipe model technology with the special German fabric and assembly in Romania does not appear to be used for the Emotion/Spirit. The board is assembled in China. That said the Equipe 14' x 28.5" model is about 22 lbs. and this is only slightly higher at 24 lbs. (with fin) which is pretty light for this large a board, and to me it feels stiff.

[baddog]

Thank leebee, enjoy your board.  Mistral was distributed here last year, but they appear to be gone again.

[capobeachboy]

That Emotion is a nice looking board. I just posted my Equipe for sale in the classifieds.

http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,30085.0.html

[LeeBee]

Just noticed an error, it is a Gladiator Fury fin, not the Elite which is much bigger. The fin box would not hold the larger Elite or Hybrid models.