sup/windsurf combo around 10ft+

[bigdom]

hi from the UK

i am looing at geting a flatwater cruiser that can also be used for light
windsurfing and looking for some advice and suggestions

in the UK the following boards seem to be availiable with mast fittings

SB drive
SB whopper
SB whopper with daggerboard
Fanatic 10 HRS

anyone here doing this and can give some pointers as to what works well ?

or is the combo a waste of time and the worst of both worlds ?


FYI i am 5-11 and 87kg a comptent SUP/surfer, an out of pratice sailor and novice windsurfer

[Velasco]

I don't think it is a waste of time.

I just got a SB Blend and I've sailed it more than I've paddled it.

I'm 180, and have board sailed/kited/surfed for most of my life.

I was tired of getting skunked and now I will never get skunked again!

If there is no wind and no waves, it paddle time.

If there is wind and no waves, SUP Sailing.

If there are good waves - SUP Surfing will be the call.

If there are waves, but there is wind on it, SUP Sailing again.

Don't leave out the options of bringing kids or dogs onboard, and tying down a milk crate to the forward deck and zip tying PVC pipes inside of it so you can catch lunch while you're paddling for exercise (or even trolling while under sail).

Depending on your weight, the conditions you'll be using it in and your skill level, any of the boards you listed would work.

I basically doubled my weight (converted to L) and started looking there for the board.  I also made a decision first on what I wanted to use the board for (the Whopper's width would not help me outside the waves - I have a wide SB windsurfer and I actually don't like the feel of it). 

I also know that once the waves get good, or the wind starts cranking I won't use this board and will shift to another that is better suited for the conditions.

Use the right tool for the right job.

From what you wrote (more flatwater and less waves), you are probably better off with a SB SUPer (205L) or a Naish 11'4"(180L) - I think the drive will be a great board, but you'll need more wind to sail it.

I was out yesterday in side off 5-7 mph winds, 5.4 sail and most of the time I'd have a foot on either side of the mast.  When the gusts came, I would move back on the board, but I would also start to sink the tail (it'd go under, but not too bad). 

I'm happy with the Blend, but at 7 more kgs, I think you'd need a little more volume to do what you want to do.  The Whopper is the same volume, just distributed differently (and maybe it'll work for you - demo if you can).  The Drive is an awesome board, but I don't think it'll be a good flatwater/lightwind sail board for you (stronger winds and surf yes).

Good luck!

[bigdom]

cheers thanks for the advice

i thought naish had stopped doing masttracks on sups
but it appear they do for some - the nalu i think (see my other post!)

so the 11-4 nalu coould be good (tho they are expensive over here
and if i can find one)

anyone else ?

[eghoffman]

my experience with the whoppper was that it was super stable, but it was so wide that it took tons of effort to make it move at all - i was missing waves that i should have caught because it was so much work to get up any speed.  i'm currently on a sb element (9'8") and an 8'5" ahd wassup - both good boards, although the 10' ahd sounds like it's more your speed.

[jjue]

i am  6 foot  190 lbs .  and do flat water sup cruising and windsurfing on my BIC JUNGLE  10 foot 10 inch  on inland lakes and rivers. ,  for me it is perfect .. narrow enough to be have good straight ahead glide for paddling and excellent for windsurfing , i have had it in light winds and up to 25mph winds  with excellent results
in  heavier winds i use rear foot strap only and harness,
it has foot strap  holes on the deck .. a full mast track and removable daggerboard.