Uli Fat Ass vs Bad Fish MCIT 9' ?

[D-man]

Guys I'm thinking of getting a blowup for river running and a little flat water when I don't care to drag my regular board along and I'm looking at the Badfish MCIT in 9' as well as the ULI Fat Ass quad.  Im 185 lbs. and I don't want to feel like I'm riding a fat chick when I get on it, which of these will give me the best performance on the River but still paddle flat water well enough that I'll enjoy it?

[Green Water Sports]

Hi D-man, Did you consider the inflatables from Red Paddle Co? In the size you're looking for, there is the 9'2" x 30" Surf Star and the 9'6" x 32" All Water. I would suggest the 9'6" for river riding for more stability. Both are 4" thick and feature the Rocker Stiffening rail battens.
The glide is decent and the battens keep it nice and rigid.

22lbs for the 9'2" and 25lbs for the 9'6".

Incidentally, we are offering FREE SHIPPING on all Red Paddle Co gear at http://greenwatersports.com/shop/brand/red-paddle-co

[SteamboatBORN]

Def stick with the 9' range, makes getting around rocks much easier in lower water rivers. I have tried the MCIT and its a great board, and have never heard a bad thing about Uli or Red. I am on a HALA 9' and its amazing in the rivers around here. Check them out, love this board:
http://www.halagear.com/product/hala-atcha-river-board/

[D-man]

The rail battens look like a good option for killing some of the flex the inflatables have so I may look that way but I haven't seen any real white water related post about them yet so I worry about it's ability to do more than surf.

The Hala looks to be a very interesting board but I can't get over the graphics, it looks like a child designed them.  No offense to who ever dreamed them up, but if I'm dropping over a grand on a blow up toy I don't want it to look like I spent $300 at Dicks Sporting Goods.  Maybe I'm just shallow.

Anyone with experience on the two I'm looking at?  I would just go for the MVP but I want something packable for camping or just keeping in the car.

[SteamboatBORN]

I would go with a 10' if you want to do flat water too. 9' boards are tanks and do not track very well.

[SteamboatBORN]

The rail battens look like a good option for killing some of the flex the inflatables have so I may look that way but I haven't seen any real white water related post about them yet so I worry about it's ability to do more than surf.

The Hala looks to be a very interesting board but I can't get over the graphics, it looks like a child designed them.  No offense to who ever dreamed them up, but if I'm dropping over a grand on a blow up toy I don't want it to look like I spent $300 at Dicks Sporting Goods.  Maybe I'm just shallow.

Anyone with experience on the two I'm looking at?  I would just go for the MVP but I want something packable for camping or just keeping in the car.

You have to see one in person and I agree the graphics are not the best but it has the same construction as the Badfish, minus the multi-chamber. I believe both Hala and Badfish are built in the same factory because handles, valve construction, materials, backpack, repair kit are the exact same. From what I have heard around the rivers here, the Atcha sells out fast at any place that carries them and its been used on class IV/V runs and done better then bigger named boards. Its like with skis, who cares what it looks like, graphics mean nothing when you are skiing waste deep or dropping a 20 footer, its about performance. If the best skis for me where pink and had daisys on it, i would still ski it. If you can demo one, do it, trust me.

The Badfish MCIT is an awesome board and stable. Only thing I have noticed is when water comes over the rails it can sink the front end of board but it has lower center of gravity too. It also will track better then other river boards, but thats in the 10' length.

What boards have you tried on the river?

[D-man]

I haven't tried any boards on the river yet, I live right next to the Virgin river in Southern Utah and wanted something I could ride down it.  I really like ULI's reputation for quality and one of out dealers here in Utah carries the Badfish so those were the two I had looked at.  The Hala does have my interest with it's 6" thickness as I am 185# and would hate to end up a little too heavy on a 9' board.  Wish I could get a ride on one before I decide.

[SteamboatBORN]

Its still kinda far from you (you are near St. George right?) but there are Hala Boards to rent in Moab. Might be time for a camp or bike trip in Moab! haha.
http://www.halagear.com/where-to-buy-hala-stand-up-paddle-boards-and-double-bladed-paddles/

[Velasco]

I have an ULI FAQ.  I've used it to surf overhead surf, a little paddling in rivers, and flatwater fishing.  Like any short SUP board, it sways a bit as you paddle it in flatwater (the fins are short), but if you don't mind switching sides just a little bit more than when you are paddling a longer SUP this board will not disappoint you.  I pump mine up to 18-20 psi and it does not banana where I am standing.  I weigh 185 (on a bad day) and I have no complaints with its stability.  As river paddling is what I have done the least, I cannot give meaningful feedback - but the board can take tons of abuse and not look any worse for it - I can't imagine a better board for bouncing off rocks and running white water. 

[SteamboatBORN]

I have an ULI FAQ.  I've used it to surf overhead surf, a little paddling in rivers, and flatwater fishing.  Like any short SUP board, it sways a bit as you paddle it in flatwater (the fins are short), but if you don't mind switching sides just a little bit more than when you are paddling a longer SUP this board will not disappoint you.  I pump mine up to 18-20 psi and it does not banana where I am standing.  I weigh 185 (on a bad day) and I have no complaints with its stability.  As river paddling is what I have done the least, I cannot give meaningful feedback - but the board can take tons of abuse and not look any worse for it - I can't imagine a better board for bouncing off rocks and running white water. 

I second that comment!

[UKRiverSurfers]

Can't speak for the ULI, but I tried an MCIT 10'6 the other day and it was awesome! By far the fastest iSUP I've tried in that length range.. It surfed in a stopper hole VERY well, better than any other board I've tried hole surfing on!

[UKRiverSurfers]

Here's the MCIT in action on a Ditch weir on a boiling hot evening!

[SteamboatBORN]

Here's the MCIT in action on a Ditch weir on a boiling hot evening!

What length is that MCIT? 10'?

[UKRiverSurfers]

It's the 10'6....

[SteamboatBORN]

It's the 10'6....

I must have rented the 10'6" last year, super fun board, and stable, just did not do it for me though.