Deciding on first SUP - Bic Ace-Tec Wing 11'0" vs 12'6"

[Bm88]

Hi all. I am looking to buy my first SUP. I am 30 yrs old, ~160 lb, and plan to use the board on flat water, generally for fitness and having fun.

After considering inflatables for a while, I'm now leaning towards a Bic Ace-Tec Wing (partially because I can get a real good deal on these). I'm wondering if I should be going for the 11'0" or the 12'6". The 11' seems to be workable given my size, and would be less expensive and easier to store, but I know that the longer boards have their advantages too.

Thoughts?

[Area 10]

Longer boards are nicer to paddle, in most conditions. The resale value of the 12-6 would also be better, and if you did want to do some recreational racing in the future you wouldn't be embarrassed.

[Ichabod Spoonbill]

I would go for the bigger board unless you had a strong argument for the smaller one. The advantages outweigh the dos advantages, especially with speed and tracking.

[Ichabod Spoonbill]

I meant the "disadvantages". Darn autocorrect.

[spirit4earth]

Wouldn't the 12'6 be too big for 160lbs?

[Area 10]

Wouldn't the 12'6 be too big for 160lbs?

Not too big, but maybe too heavy. I just looked up
The weights. The 12-6 is 34lbs. The 11 is 27lbs. That's a huge difference in terms of carrying. At 160lbs it would be better to have a lighter 12-6. The 11fter is still 29" wide so neither board is particularly svelt. Carrying and loading a 34lb board is going to be hard, for sure. If the OP is of fairly light frame then this could be a deciding factor.

If the particular durability of the BIC is not needed, I'd suggest buying something a bit lighter, even if that meant going secondhand (or perhaps even an inflatable). It seems a shame to have to buy a shorter board just because you can't carry the 12-6 version but they'll be plenty of people who can't carry a 34lb board more than a few yards, and have difficulty loading it on a roof rack. But if it has to be a BIC, then you might have a point about size.

[spirit4earth]

The problem with secondhand is that in some areas boards never come up for sale.  Hopefully the OP is in a better location.  I have grappled with this myself.  Good inflatables, like Red, are a lot more expensive than the Wing 11, as are lighter boards.  From what little I've been able to find out about the Wings, I think the OP would be happy with the 11', but there really aren't many reviews to go on.

[Wetstuff]

S4E,   Consider doing an advance CL search for a higher end board ..you may find something worth a few hours drive that would be much more manageable. I'd have a stable of Bics if I had a rental service. (I had a Mini-Mal that came out of a surf rental in about 2001 that I used/abused as a kite board for about 6yrs and gave it to some kids that still flog it)   

I'm about 6' x 185 ..consider myself pretty strong - 34lbs. is heavy ..then add a little breeze = No Fun. I'd have you on something maybe even less than 11.  I have both 12 and 12-6 ..but can happily paddle my 9-5 in flat water.  "Like ..where am I going?!"

For weight - I think ~24lbs is close to optimum.  ..and if you're buying used: check the mfgr's specs ..and bring a bath scale.  I'm happy to buy 'shipping damage' ..not wet.

I like this CL search:  http://www.searchtempest.com    ..think like a lawyer - put the many names for a SUP in the search box.


Jim

[spirit4earth]

Wetstuff, thanks!  I'm in a bad part of the country for paddle boarding, and believe me, I'd love to move if I had any contacts by big water.  Is your Speeed really good for flatwater?  I can't afford one, but I'm curious.  I know that Sunovas are very popular among several folks on the forum, but they're way out of my price range.  That's the attraction of the Bics----affordable and on sale.  I don't do any surfing----maybe the OP does, though.  The Wing 11 weighs 27lbs.  Not bad, but I can see the problem one would have in the wind.
I wish the classifieds were used more on the forum.  I'm sure a lot of you have boards you'd be willing to sell.

[robon]

At 285 Litres and 34 pounds, the 12'6" Bic is a big board period. I used the 12'6" last summer when my board was getting repaired and also rented two for my visiting family, and I would not recommend it for a 160 pound paddler. It will work but it's not ideal volume or weight wise. I also found the 12'6" to paddle a bit strangely too. A lot of flex, but I weigh 200 pounds+. Wasn't all that different than being on an inflatable performance wise and other paddlers actually asked if it was an inflatable.

The Bic C-tec series are something to consider as well if you want to try a 12'6" and go narrower with less volume than the Ace-tec 12'6". Amazon was blowing them out last year and I'm sure some good deals will still be popping up on the 2015 model. They get hot if left in the sun because of the exposed carbon weave.

[Wetstuff]

Spirit.. You don't want the Speeed.  For me, it's a wonderful board ..I'm a crappy surfer paddling in crossed up, multi-swells often with wind on it ..but it's wide enough so I don't get bucked off so easily and it stays glued to the top of a section of a wave instead of sliding into the pit like the fat railed, corky boards I had. Expert surfers and/or most people on long period swells can make anything work; I need a lot of help from the board.

Ping JimK (forum sponsor) in NJ ..there's a good chance he can hook you up with something suitable - reasonably  ...or take a quick auto vacation to FL or the like ..'n try-before-you-buy.  Good luck.

Jim
.

[Bm88]

Thanks all for the advice. I think I'll pick up the Bic Wing 11'0". I can get a great deal on it, so it should be fine for a first board.

Another question - I'll probably also buy a Red Paddle Sport inflatable mainly for my wife to use, and maybe if I don't feel like hauling the Bic on a longer trip. Given that weight shouldn't be an issue for this, should we get the 11' or the 12'6"? She's about 5'3" and maybe 120lb, but the speed and tracking benefits of a longer board have some appeal.

[spirit4earth]

I had an email conversation with Jimmy Blakeney at Bic this week.  I was asking about the 11' vs the 10'6 Performer.   With my dog, myself, and some water, I'd be right around the max for the 11'---170lbs.  He said this might affect stability.  He also said he loves the 11', but he rarely takes extra stuff with him.  He weighs 155, same as I do.  He mentioned the Cross as an option, but I think I would still go with the 11'.  Same with the Red----11' Sport. 
Btw, where are you purchasing your Wing?

[Area 10]

5-3 and 120 is very petite, and women generally have better balance than men. also, inflatables tend to have a lot of volume. So this is one situation where you might be better off with the shorter board. Try to get one that is fairly narrow for her too, as wide boards are tough for shorter people to paddle correctly.

In general, you have to match the scale of the person to the scale of the board.

[spirit4earth]

Bm88, when will you get your new board?