iSUP Recommendations for Wife Please

[ATX Golder]

I have an all around fiberglass board, SUP ATX 11'6" Navigator.  My girls love going out on the board with me.  Now I'm looking to get my wife an iSUP.  She is not super excited about it, but she is willing.  I'm thinking iSUP because she is tiny and she would never deal with carrying a fiberglass board so I'd have to do all the loading and unloading.  Also I'm getting pretty comfortable with strapping my board to the rack on my minivan but I don't think I'd like stacking two boards up there.

Like I said she is tiny (5'2"), generally athletic but not a huge water lover.  We went for a 1 hour paddle on a crappy rental board and she did OK but she was very slow.  I'm hoping she improves quickly.  If there are boards with better glide than others that would be a big priority.

Paddling will be on the lakes around Austin.  Rarely in the ocean for a trip to the Gulf.  I'm also thinking that maybe I'll use this if I ever do a river overnight trip where using the fiberglass board would be risky for damage on rocks.

Anyway what are your recommendations for a good iSUP, hopefully no more than $800?     

Looks like there are even a few decent options on Amazon:

iRocker 10' - looks like a bit more touring shape
ten toes weekender 10'
ISLE Airtech 10'

[SlatchJim]

I'd give her more time on yours, and demo a few options before plunking down 800 on an inflatable.  My wife was not "completely sold" on her first outing, and she's very game for most things.  It took her 2 or 3 sessions to enjoy it, and the first wave she caught sealed the deal. 

Rivers, lakes, and a bit of ocean; you have a lot of different environments to satisfy with one.  Why not try a costco board?  Not perfect anywhere but at least you're only out of pocket $350 and you'd probably be able to sell it for most of the investment or return it when it "snaps in half" due to mysterious circumstances. 

Finally, with some decent straps and good technique, I wouldn't worry too much about 2 boards on a factory rack.  I've had as many as 4 on both a highlander and 4 runner with factory racks and no problems. Use the force. Trust the minivan. 

[jjdub]

I just saw this video today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT_UNYipNog

[Green Water Sports]

Yes, Lokahi have released their WE (water explorer) boards. More info on them here: http://greenwatersports.com/shop/brand/lokahi

[ATX Golder]

Wow that Lokahi 9'5" looks downright tiny and not very stable with the guy on it in the video.  I see that there are bigger thicker options, if I go for this one I think I'd go for the 10'6", the prices on these are very nice.

One thing I've noticed is that many of the cheaper iSUPs are light on tie down points which makes them useless for a potential overnight trip (which I think is a stretch anyway).  The iRocker has extra tie downs that are also positioned so you can use them for a kayak seat you can buy.  Not sure if the wife would appreciate sitting as an option.  It seems most of the iSUPs on Amazon have many great reviews, but not sure I trust a brand that is mostly selling through Amazon. 

I'm also considering the SUP ATX inflatable, I would trust it much more than the Amazon options and its only a bit more expensive.

Anyway I'll be thinking on this one for a while.

[Fog City Rider]

I'd consider a lightweight hard board for her.  Stacking two boards on your roof is no biggie once you get used to it.  IMO it beats pumping up an inflatable every time you go out.  Also hard boards perform better & if you get her some small, cheap inflatable, she'll prefer using your board anyway. 

[LeeBee]

Consider tie Imagine Icon I've seen the board in the better DLX (inflatable) construction for as little as $700 (new). Your wife should be one on either size but think the 10'2" version would be better for her long term.

[switters]

I've been through this with bicycles and paddleboards with my GF. 

LIghtweight and easily abused/loaded by her, I'm with you on the inflatable.

Something to consider before buying though.  If you are on a hard 11'6" board and she is on a 10'6" inflatable she will never keep up with you unless you are paddling at the most unfun of paces.  You get bored, she gets frustrated, not good.

This spring we replaced two waterlogged 12' soft tops with inflatables, a gusu touring 12' and an isle explorer 11'.  I was looking forward to the gusu, I have spent the last 3 months exclusively on the explorer.  We are much better matched in speed, which is why she wont let me have the longer gusu board back, even though it is a bit heavier than the isle. 

Try as many as you can and hopefully you can try some longer inflatables with her so she isn't paddling at a sprint just to keep up with your normal pace.  Otherwise buy yourself a non gliding mini-barge for the time you two spend together.   

PS we keep the inflatables in the garage, inflated.  I find that about ten pumps each once a week keeps them at the 16 psi range I want.