2017 Bark Ghost Vapor

[Area 10]

It's not a displacement board in any way shape or form. It's pure planing all the way, with all the advantages and disadvantages that entails.

Yes, it's not fast in flat water. But it is nice to paddle anyway. It's meant for really choppy conditions, and especially small to medium downwind or in-and-out beach stuff.

[starman]

It's pure planing all the way

How exactly does one "plane" on a standup board going 5 mph

[connector14]

That's a great question.....and, if a "displacement board were suddenly moving at say 12 mph due to wind and waves....could it not also be planing at that moment??

 

[Eagle]

Here is a great vid showing what a deep vee displacement board can do DW. 

[Esteroali]

I want to do that on MY BOARD!!

[connector14]

Wow!  Pretty great balance and movement.......sure wish there was also a forward facing camera to show what the front of that board was doing!!

[Area 10]

It's pure planing all the way

How exactly does one "plane" on a standup board going 5 mph

You don't. It's designed to allow you to faster than 5mph when eg. surfing or downwinding. Paddling a board like this in flat water is like using a Ferrari to go get groceries. If you want to race your friends to the grocery store at 5 mph then get a board with a cutting bow.

[Area 10]

I want to do that on MY BOARD!!

That is exactly what the Vapor was designed to do. And it does it very well. I used to have a Dominator and the Vapor is much better for doing what you see in that vid.

[connector14]

What the video does show though is that a skilled paddler can take a flatwater specific (displacement) board and still make it do things such as ride waves and downwind.
I am no expert,  but with a little more effort I can paddle my Imagine Connector 14 just as fast as my 14 Dominator. I have also had both of them in moderate DW conditions and clearly the Connector is superior under those conditions. The Dominator was my first SUP and so I learned to use it under whatever conditions I was in at the time. I plan to keep these boards in my quiver,  but something like the 14 Red Paddle Race I'm hoping will become my "travel" board without giving up too much performance and joy. Again,  I am not a racer so speed is not my primary concern. Looking for durability and something that I will not have to be so anal about taking care of it !

[FloridaWindSUP]

Nice board Esteroali! Yeah, nothing is going to be as light and fast in flatwater as the Hovie Comet ZXC boards, but your Bark definitely looks great for the Gulf. When you get more used to the feel of it, where to stand, etc., you may also start to close some of the gap on the flatwater speed of your Hovie. The blunt nose and rocker on your Bark may also help it draft nicely off of other boards. So in the next race just get behind Cindy and draft until the end when you can sneak around and strike.