2015 Red Paddle Co. 14ft Elite

[bing]

Has anyone tried out the new 2015 Red Paddle Co.  Elite 14ft ?  It looks interesting with the capability of using any type of
fin.  Curious about the nose fin and whether it really provides directional tracking.  Red Paddle is indicating it is also a good downwinder. 
It looks like from the design it will have less flex with respect to the other inflatable designs.

[Argosi]

I've tried their 12'6" version. It's a great inflatable board - stiffer than most others. I had it pumped up to about 25psi. Great in flat water and not bad in small chop, but I wouldn't use an inflatable on a downwinder unless I had no other option.

You'll notice the greater flex of an inflatable on a downwinder. It's harder to catch bumps - especially compared to my regular downwind board.

[spookini]

The other guy is on a SIC bullet...

[DavidJohn]

http://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Paddling-with-Pete/?SearchTerms=red

[bing]

Looks like it is picking up glides. A little flex. Not bad for an inflatable.

[Fog City Rider]

It's a good board, probably the best quality inflatable 14 on the market. 

I've been on it a bunch, last year's model which is 26" wide.  This year's is 1" wider which I think is a nice improvement. 

We'll have in stock in a couple weeks here in Oakland.

[Off-Shore]

The other guy is on a SIC bullet...


[/quote

I took the video of this. This is a 2013 version on the board which is wider than 2014 and 2015. I have travelled with this board all over the place and now have replaced it with a 2014 version. Is it as good as a SIC Bullet 14'? No. Is it the best inflatable around for downwinding? Probably yes. Like all inflatables they have a tendency to feel sticky on the glide because of the flexibility compared to a hard board. The battens downs the side of the RedPaddles means they are stiffer than most though. There is a technique to get the board to "unstick" on the glide which requires moving around it more than a hard board but if you want a board you can travel with this is as good as it gets IMO.

[spookini]

Hey Bing:

I did the 2014 CCBC (all 35 miles) on a Red 14 Elite.  It was a brutal day.  Many ppl quit and climbed aboard the support boats.  I made it all the way across on the Red.

(OK.., but only b/c I'm stupid stubborn.  I was on my knees most of the day.)

The nose fin definitely works.  Which can be problematic in 35miles of cross chop/swell.  Then you end up cursing the nose fin... for 35miles.

The board is "stiff", but not as stiff as a hardboard, obviously.  I also have a Red 9'2" and an RRD inflatable 10'-4".  There is more flex to the Red 14 -- to be expected given it's length.  It is not really noticeable when paddling, but if you jump up and down, you will feel the flex.

The board is very stable, even though 26" wide.  You would have to try to fall off.  I almost think they could have gone to 24"...but likely that'd scare ppl off.  The inflatable vs. hardboard construction was a big plus for a loooong distance paddle.  Absolutely no discomfort underfoot or underknee.  Built-in cushioning better than any deckpad.

I only have a little experience w/ downwinding.  You do have to get back quickly or else it will pearl.  Interestingly though, if the nose pearls, it submerges briefly and then it's buoyancy brings it back up.  So it does not bury like a traditional board.  It slows you down but not quite enough to throw you over the handlebars.   

[Off-Shore]

On the "nose fin" this is only a strip of plastic about 1/2" high and 1/4" wide and 12" long under the nose. It is not a fin. The board tracks well and does not seem more difficult to turn than other 14' hard boards.

[Green Water Sports]

2015 14' Elite is 26" wide. For 2015 it also comes with a nose runner fin on the top which aids in shedding water if the nose pearls.

In stock now and full specifications and features at: http://greenwatersports.com/shop/red-paddle-co-14-elite

I am hoping to jump on the 2015 elite in a week or two. Got another shipment coming in.

For the Zoners, giving you a heads up that current 14' Elite stock will likely be $50 off soon.

[Green Water Sports]

Also more info and close up photos and video at: http://greenwatersports.com/4385/a-quick-review-of-the-2015-red-paddle-co-14-elite-inflatable-sup

[bing]

Thanks for the input on this inflatable.  Been kicking around getting one this year to add to my quiver.  I am paddling Bark flatwater race boards and SIC downwinders and from the
input this board sounds like it is one of the best inflatables out there. Interesting comment from Spookini on the board being sticky on a glide.  Haven't ridden inflatables
enough to experience this issue.   

[Southbay]

BTW that's a F-16, not a bullet....just saying! 

[capobeachboy]

The guys from Red have been did lots of races last year and I hope to see more inflatables getting in there and mixing it up with the hard boards in 2015 because they are more competitive than ever.  I was paddling 6"/150mm thick ULI race shapes for the past few years but lately I've been using some 5" thick/120mm boards and at 190 lbs the flex is not that much more noticeable but the boards are lighter, have less windage and are more stable.  Paddlers under 130lbs could do even better with a 4" thick/100mm board.       

[Area 10]

Yep, inflatables are hard work for downwinding. Three things you generally want in a downwind board are hard rails, some rocker, and stiffness. These are the same three things that current inflatables do not have. In contrast you don't need any of these three things in a flat water raceboard. So although I can see inflatables making good FW boards I think an awful lot will have to change before inflatables will be anywhere near hard boards for DW. In decent downwind conditions, inflatables are bouncy, sticky, slow to plane, hard to control, pearl a lot, and difficult to quarter against wind and waves. Apart from that they are great.