First SUP for big guy

[Orion]

I'm looking for my first SUP.

I anticipate my use to be 70% cruising inland lakes w/ some fishing, 20% cruising or playing in waves on Great Lakes, 10% on mellow streams.

I'm about 6'3", 210 lbs.  Durability is important to me, so is versatility, even if that means it's not perfect at one thing.  Want the ability to hold gear for food, water, fishing equipment, maybe (eventually) overnight gear

So far, I've demoed the Jimmy Lewis Cruise Control (11.5') and the Tahoe Rubicon. 
-On the Cruise Control, I like the more open feel of the deck for some SUP yoga and to switch up foot placement.  I also like the idea of more of a flatter bottom for versaility in waves, even if I sacrifice a bit of speed on cruising the flats  I'm a little concerned how careful I might have to be with it, so it doesn't get too beat up.
- WIth the Rubicon, I like it's durability, but the standing area seemed a bit limited.  Is there something with similar durability with a more open deck and flatter bottom?  (No 60 lbs rotomolder behemoths need apply).

Another board I'm loooking at and want to demo is the Airlite Stride HD.  I want to make sure it's stiff enough to hold me without bowing.  Even so this seems marketed mainly as a river board.  Would it be a total mismatch for me to get this boat onto lakes, even big lakes to cover some distance?

[lopezwill]

  This is a great question!  Two years ago here there would never be a thread like this.  Sorry Orion I can't help you but I'm also interested in the same type of board.

[AZriver]

Im 6'2" 230lbs.  I have the SUP ATX.  It is my first board and i like it.  It is a good deal and rides nice.  I demo'd quit a few and that one is the one i picked, it wasn't about the money either.  I use mine on lake havasu and mohave, and the colorado river.  Works great for me.

[stoneaxe]

Plenty of good boards for big guys. Despite having tried many of them I still think the Starboard 12-6 Cruiser is one of the best all around boards out there. Especially for the mix of uses you're talking about. The tuffskin is near bulletproof too. It's tough to give recommendations for anyone else though. Best bet is to demo as many as possible. Check out the board showcase on Ke nalu...a little dated but still the best place to get a broad number of opinions on lots of boards. I was the official newb big guy. My absolute favorite board was the Angulo 11-11 because it was a little better in the surf but the 12-6 is better all around...especially cruising....again...at least thats how it was for me...your mileage may vary.
http://www.kenalu.com/forums/showcase-index/

[DavidJohn]

The new 11'6" NSP or the 11'6" AST Naish would be good boards for you.

DJ

[AirJunky]

6' 1" & 215 here. I picked up a Lakeshore Paddleboard Co. Wet Willy a couple weeks ago.   http://www.lpc-sup.com/index.php

Compared to the old windsurfer I was tinkering with, it is as stable as a dock. Crashes waves & boat wakes with a big bow like a displacement hull.

Thinking about taking it & the GoPro out to the Ironman race in Coeur d'Alene this weekend. Should be interesting to say the least.

[JimK]

I'm a big guy 6'2 275#

In your case I would choose one of these three in no particular order

Pau Hana EZ Rider (11' X 30 Concave deck for balance)
Naish 11'6" NALU Nice balanced board Not the best wave rider as tail thk is a bit bulky but that adds stability
Fanatic FLY 11' Not to heavy, nice flow of volume does everything well

All these boards are main stream and can be purchased at a reasonable price

Let me know if I can be of any further help Just remember boards work different for folks over 190# It is hard to get a handle on this reading websites

[dmounts]

I purchased the Laird Coast Runner for exactly the use you are describing. 14' X 32". I put added grip fore and aft and it works great! Very stable. I have surfed it in waist high surf and it worked great as well--- just keep clear and do not go to crowded surf breaks as it is not the most maneuverable. Plenty of float for the kids or gear and has great glide for what it is. 

[Orion]

Thanks for the info!

I took a few hours off work and drove 3-1/2 hours to demo a Stride Arlite HD (inflatable).  It seems marketed primarily as a whitewater river board (not my main use), but I was interested in it's durability and for use as a fishing platform.

I wanted to see if an inflatable board could have near the same rigid feel as a "regular" SUP.   This is only the 3rd board I demo'ed, so my insight may be limited.  There was noticeable sag under my feet which made balance much more difficult the other boards.  Part of it may have been due to underinflation, but a couple ladies (120 lbs'ish) were demo'ing at the same time and seemed to have similar issues.  Tracking not straight on flatwater versus the other boards...good manueverability for whitewater I suppose, but probably not the best for my own uses.

Looking hard at the Jimmy Lewis Cruise Control, but also the Rubicon.  A local guy carries and demos Starboard, Jimmy Lewis, and Tahoe products...these things are to pricey for me to buy w/o demo'ing.  A local shop carries Surftech products, but I don't think they demo them.

If a board doesn't have pre-installed tie-downs, is using the adhesive anchors hassle free?

[PonoBill]

Orion, at 6'3" 210 you don't really qualify as big. At least not in my book. There really isn't a mid-to grande board that you wouldn't be happy on. I'd focus on the uses you want to apply this board to and prioritize them. You can surf a 14 footer, but you probably don't want to. I just saw a brand new Amundson that might be really good for you. It's a 12'6 cruiser that can double as a race board, but really aimed at expedition. Durable, and cheap--around $1000 if I heard right. It was at the Hood River Wind Fest. I think this board hasn't made it to dealers yet, but its on the way in quantities. Straight rails, canoe nose, and surfy bottom. I liked the looks of it. I was going to demo it but I had to shuttle folks back to their cars after the race.

[lucabrasi]

Hi. I am also looking for a board to fish from and also a beginner. I was going to get a Hooked Sup from Alex Aguera but they are delayed. I was looking very hard at the Rubicon also but have ended up getting a Surftech R. French 11'6" model. It will be here later this week. I am 6'3" and 230 lbs. and just want to cruise and fish lakes here in the Rockies. I know it is a softtop but I have been told I can make some good attatchment points on this board and have felt very good talking to the people at paddle board specialists, who sell the Rubicon and the Surftech. I must say I may have gotten the Paul Hana Big EZ if I had seen that before. There are no shops near my location so demoing a board was not an option. I hope to hear what you end up doing and more on the Rubicon and will let you know my experience.

[RL]

I'm 6'6" 250 and got a Starboard Big Easy as my first board and have been 100% stoked with it since day one. I rode a few boards first and determined what size I wanted and already knew what time of construction I wanted for a strong, trouble free board and the Starboard was it.

[Easy Rider]

I am at 205 lbs now. 

There are SO many good boards for what you are looking for.

Starboard Big Easy
Starboard Cruiser
Naish Nalu 11'6"
Jimmy Lewis Cruise Control
Hobie ATR 11'6"
Surf Tech Laird 12'1"

and on and on.

If you are concerned with durability - stick with the slightly more durable constructions - Tuff Skin / AST / etc.
Do demo as many as you can - but don't get so wrapped up in demoing boards that you forget to buy one.
For the most part any "apples to apples" board comparisons will end up with you best liking the one you buy.

Have fun and Welcome.

[robcasey]

i'm 6-5 and 220lbs and have great stability on my 12-1 laird softtop.  great for surfing, flat water, downwinders, etc.  in teaching sup lessons, my students who use rental boards usually end up using mine for the first time stability.  wish i had 2!

[paddledaddy]

Whatever you get remember that all else being equal: width adds stability and lenght adds glide. An average all around board for most beginners is around 11 to 12 feet long and about 30 inches wide. This often becomes a usefull all purpose board you'll keep in your fleet even if you add another board or two later.

I hope I'm not being too oportunistic, but I have a Starboard Cruiser I just posted for sale in the classified section for $1000 with a paddle. It also has a center fin box to add a center fin if you want to windsurf it or add stability while fishing.