Standup Zone Forum

Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: neves on January 20, 2015, 07:19:58 AM

Title: Any opinions about the Sea Eagle Needlenose iSUP?
Post by: neves on January 20, 2015, 07:19:58 AM
I'm searching for a recreational inflatable SUP for my family. We will use it mostly on flat water: lakes and bays.  I've found a site of iSUP reviews that consistently rates the  Sea Eagle Needlenose SUP as the best of it class. Unfortunatelly I've found very few other other opinions about it. Not a single mention in this forum. Does anyone can give me an experienced opinion about it?

Here is the Needlenose site: https://www.seaeagle.com/NeedleNoseSUP (https://www.seaeagle.com/NeedleNoseSUP)

Here is the review: http://www.isupworld.com/fast-inflatable-sup-review/ (http://www.isupworld.com/fast-inflatable-sup-review/)
Title: Re: Any opinions about the Sea Eagle Needlenose iSUP?
Post by: feet on January 20, 2015, 12:53:21 PM
Save yourself the grief. Look for a used Uli, Red, etc.
Title: Re: Any opinions about the Sea Eagle Needlenose iSUP?
Post by: Sac68sport on February 23, 2015, 09:41:08 PM
Haven't used one but I recently bought a Tower xplorer which is also 14ft.  But its 8 inches thick.  It's super stable, fairly fast and just a nice all around Ibig board.  I've had it out a few times on flat water and out on the River and it was great.   We also have one of the Costco jimy Stix.  Not nearly as stable but great cheep boards for the kids to play on. 
I've ridden a 12 and 14 foot Uli and the Tower is significantly more stable than the 12 and also more stable than the 14 and seemed like it was just as fast and easy to paddle and turn. Also seems to be of similar build quality.
Title: Re: Any opinions about the Sea Eagle Needlenose iSUP?
Post by: PonoBill on February 23, 2015, 10:11:50 PM
Looks good, the site is kind of traditional hard sell usually associated with crap, but the design looks decent. Hard to say anything about quality or rididity.

Tower is being pretty wise bucking the trend towards thinner inflatables. A thicker dropstitch hull will be more rigid than a thinner one, all other factors being equal.
Title: Re: Any opinions about the Sea Eagle Needlenose iSUP?
Post by: deepmud on February 24, 2015, 02:48:55 PM
(https://www.seaeagle.com/img/ActionShots/Large/342.jpg)


looks like it gets more "pointy end" in the water than my 12'6" Touring model Blue Planet  (apples/oranges caveat - I weight 290 - the Sea Eagle guy looks like maybe 200? unless he's below 5'6" or so, then he's a wee leetle manny')   - it ends up lifted out the water, and just a big flat surface presented to the water - now - I would GUESS that more length in the water is faster. I'd love to see some back to back GPS - still not scientific but it would be something.
(http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k50/deepmud/Isup%20Blue%20Planet%202014/10464347_10154311984580484_3030352874983420456_n.jpg) (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/deepmud/media/Isup%20Blue%20Planet%202014/10464347_10154311984580484_3030352874983420456_n.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Any opinions about the Sea Eagle Needlenose iSUP?
Post by: TallDude on February 24, 2015, 03:41:13 PM
Neves, If it's just for an occasional outing, it would probably work. There are cheaper ones out there of comparable quality. If you're serious and want to do more paddling, this would be a waste of money.
 
Mud, I don't think you will find an inflatable distance board that will not 'Taco' on you. I'm 240# and I push the limit on most inflatables. As mentioned, Red inflatables with their RSS batten stiffeners help, but I think its only on their narrower race boards. Plus they're only rated to 247#. The ULI's thicker higher pressure construction are probably your best bet for an inflatable. Tower, maybe? I think you should seriously think about a ridged epoxy board. That little strap on plastic nose cone (Did I say strap-on?) on the Sea Eagle is going to be pointed to the stars with 290# person on it. Their max air pressure inflated says 15 psi. The ULI's are around 20 psi.
Title: Re: Any opinions about the Sea Eagle Needlenose iSUP?
Post by: wildermind on July 01, 2015, 09:19:57 AM
I am also interested in finding out more about this board -- it's frustrating to see people dismiss it who haven't tried it -- the nose is different than many boards and for those who are interested in touring/flatwater looks like it could be a viable option...

But similarly, I can't find many reviews/comments although there site does have more than it used to now...

Title: Re: Any opinions about the Sea Eagle Needlenose iSUP?
Post by: spookini on July 02, 2015, 05:09:49 PM
I think it's just a case of caveat emptor.  Or whatever the expression is...  You're buying a blind item; you have to go on what REAL reviews you can find.  I bought an iSUP a few years ago sight unseen, based on many strong, real reviews. I'd be wary of reviews from 'review' sites that seem like are thinly-disguised paid advertising. SeaEagle seems to have 1 "5star" review on amazon.  That seems odd to me.

If you're interested in needle-nose iSUPs, the sharksups.com "sailfish" looks interesting, IMO.

Pono, you seem a big proponent of those 8" thick Towers..  Buy one and let us know how it goes?? 
Not only does it SUP, I bet it doubles as a pretty good floating island, too.  :)
Title: Re: Any opinions about the Sea Eagle Needlenose iSUP?
Post by: southwesterly on July 02, 2015, 06:14:50 PM
 It says you'd be able to do this.
Title: Re: Any opinions about the Sea Eagle Needlenose iSUP?
Post by: wildermind on June 03, 2016, 12:20:59 PM
I wanted to send a reply because whenever I research this board -- this discussion thread comes up and I don't think anyone who has actually used a Sea Eagle Needlenose has responded.

I have been curious about this board as I've researched inflatables over the last couple of years.

I am going to copy/paste my Amazon review of my experience and will update it again as I go out more... hope it's helpful:

"I have been researching inflatable for a couple of years now -- I've wanted to check this one out but frustrated they don't have any vendors in New England. I've finally bit the bullet to try out the "risk free" trial -- which isn't really risk free because you take a big risk that you may damage the product and then own it even if you decide you may not like it.

In any case -- I currently own an Odyssey SUP Touring Board -- a hard board -- 11ft. I am an advanced beginner in that I have only been out on a few boards, I don't go super-regularly, but I feel pretty comfortable when I am out. I like the Odyssey but it was my first board -- I was able to get it used with the thought that if I really liked paddleboarding, I might upgrade at some point. The Odyssey is a displacement board and so faster than the average beginner BIC or something like that but it's still pretty wide and only 11 ft. It's a great board if you don't care too much about speed.

But for me, I am only 5' 2" and struggle to get the board up and down from my car -- in even small amounts of wind I often choose not to go out, not because of the conditions on the water -- but because of the challenges of getting it back and forth. This problem would be solved a bit if I went a few days a week -- because I'd get stronger. The other issue is storage -- we have a barn but it takes up a lot of space in it -- and travel -- the one or two times I go away -- I'd like to take it with me -- but driving for multiple hours with a SUP on the top of our car is stressful.

In any case -- I ordered the NeedleNose 116 to try it out and see if I might want to switch out boards for this one.

Here are my first impressions -- which I will update after I've gone out a couple of more times: I just received the board yesterday. First big impression -- whoa -- this is a lot heavier than I thought it would be. And when I measured myself on a scale holding it -- it seemed to be coming in more than the manufacturer weight of 24 or so -- close to 30. Not sure what is going on with that. I can carry everything on the bag on my back but wouldn't want to have to walk too far with it. It also takes up most of the back seat of our Honda Civic.

Overall, the quality seemed good. This is my first inflatable so I don't have any other inflatables to compare to. You can tell right away if something feels cheap and I did not get that feeling with the board -- maybe a little with the pump -- it's very plasticky (but that is probably a good thing for weight)...the plastic tubes for the pump feel particularly low-end.

My second noticeable experience was pumping up the board. It was not so hard that I thought -- wow, I'll never do that again. But let's just say that my weak upper-body got quite a workout, pumping for close to 10 minutes or so. Again, I am only 5' 2" so I don't have the height to put into it. I was happy to find that the board felt lighter than my hard board as I carried it to the water.

The only thing that I noticed and was unhappy with -- the fin. While the system is "easy" -- the plastic click-in system seems like something due to fail. And for mine -- I noticed I could slide out the tab just by pulling on it (I didn't need to push down the little piece that is supposed to lock it in). So on that mark -- I'd prefer something a little more substantial holding my fin in.

On the board -- so far so good. I didn't find any issue with the stiffness, which I was worried about. It might be slightly bouncier but not enough for me to notice in general -- more like when I jumped up and down on it. The speed seemed good -- I think it's faster than my Odyssey but need to go out a few more times in different conditions to really weigh-in on that. And the tracking was relatively good. Much better than a BIC beginner board but I'm not sure if it beats out my Odyssey yet. Though the length is longer than my Odyssey, because of the shape (and being a teeny bit narrower), it actually felt shorter. This is good for portability but I am not sure if I might want to upgrade to the 12'6" yet for some extra speed.

Getting it back out was easy -- deflating it was fine. When you first push the button down, so much air shoots out that it is loud and a little scary -- like you are doing something incorrectly -- I'll have to get used to that. I didn't have a problem folding it up but what I did have a problem with was drying it off -- if you need to get it right back in the car, it can be challenging to really dry the board well -- which is what the manufacturer says to do before storing it again.

So far it's a good purchase but I'm not sure if it's a keeper. I am hoping to compare it back against my hardboard as well as try out a Starboard this summer. MORE TO COME..."
Title: Re: Any opinions about the Sea Eagle Needlenose iSUP?
Post by: Ichabod Spoonbill on June 03, 2016, 03:46:23 PM
Very interesting. Thank you.
Title: Re: Any opinions about the Sea Eagle Needlenose iSUP?
Post by: tm3 on June 18, 2016, 10:54:10 AM
wildermind, thanks for the detailed post and please follow up with your impressions.

I agree that there is very little comparative info on SUPs.  Most "review" sites are just advertising.  This one looks legit, but has reviewed only a small sample: http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Inflatable-SUP-Reviews/ratings

This makes it tough for those of us looking for a 1st board.  Experts tend to recommend the high end gear that they themselves prefer, but imo telling a beginner to shell out $1600 for a board and $500 for a paddle is just not a practical answer.  It's kind of like telling someone wanting to buy their first car that they need to save up for a Porsche and until they can afford it just take the bus -- plus the Porsche may not fit their intended use even if they can afford it.

It would be very helpful for those with experience to apply their knowledge and help spell out the differences between the Isle Touring and Tower Adventurer 2 and Needlenose and other "bargain" choices.
Title: Re: Any opinions about the Sea Eagle Needlenose iSUP?
Post by: mjb1959 on November 20, 2016, 01:28:16 PM
full disclosure,
i am fairly new to isup
i have had the needlenose for 4 weeks, but have had it out at least 9 times.
i do feel slightly better on the board, but it still feels very "bouncy"?
i weigh about 195 so it should handle my size, but i am considering sending it back.
i really want to love this board but disappointed at this point...
Title: Re: Any opinions about the Sea Eagle Needlenose iSUP?
Post by: deepmud on November 20, 2016, 07:03:46 PM
I have 3 isups - all 6" (or more) thick -

the 12'6"x30" Blue Planet - pretty typical of the "touring" style (pic above on this thread) - my first board.
I've paddled it over 100 miles or more by now. I've been very happy with it. It's rated to 15psi - I put it to 18 usually, it has held up, and just 3psi makes it a lot stiffer (plus - I think it loses some after I drop it in the cool lake water).

2nd board - a 14'x36" Tower Xplorer (8" thick). I'd take this on a float down the Yukon - maybe two of them as a catamaran-raft :D My wife got it for me as a second board so I could go with my son - but it turns out he's not into sup :(  - but it's been used for friends visiting, and it's stable and easy for them to use for a first time. The downside of the Xplorer is the 8" board is really tough to climb up onto. At only 15 psi it's super solid. I can tell it's wide - takes a lot of energy to get above 4mph. SUCKS in a headwind - it's a LOT of surface area above the water.

And my newest, the 2016 Red 14'x26 Elite. I've had it out about 15 times this summer - even on of my downbreezers :D great board for me after 3 years paddling - I can stay up on it. Got my weight down to 269 this summer  - :D I'm wasting away, I know.....

And  ----- they all flex when you jump on them, even the Elite at 25psi and it's RSS inserts in place. Sure, at 155 you'll flex it less - but the "jump up and down test" - they all wiggle.

I can even see the Red flexing behind me on my Gopro paddling on flat water. This isn't "tacoing" - it's flexing over the waves - "some" - However - I don't really "feel" it - paddling on flat water, it feels solid to me. If flexing matters more for surfing ( I can imagine it does) I can't comment on it - I'm a down-breezer at most.

However - they also flex when you fall on them :D Very helpful at times.

 I'd love to a chance to ride a Eagle 14' Needlenose back-to-back with my Elite - I'm not the fastest but I'm consistent on my GPS, day after day - I think I could spot a 10% improvement (or not). I do notice it has a non-standard fin box. I'd tend to stay away from them unless I plan on carefully grinding away the glue-one mount to make room for a new glue-on fin box that I can change fins - fins matter, even on the flatwater. I could't let the standard fin be my only fin.

I followed the link to the Shark Sups - noted they are saying 25 psi  - most others say 15 or less.
Title: Re: Any opinions about the Sea Eagle Needlenose iSUP?
Post by: deepmud on November 20, 2016, 09:54:09 PM
ugh - can't edit. I have a 14' Red Race board, 2016 model  (not MSL tech) , not the Elite model.
Rated to 265 lol . Like weighing 165 and putting 100 pound of camping gear on it ... sort of ...part of why I can barely hit 5mph on it for long.
Title: Re: Any opinions about the Sea Eagle Needlenose iSUP?
Post by: SUP-Lurker on October 14, 2021, 01:43:13 PM
Sorry for re-surrecting an old thread. But the NN 126 isn't discussed in detail a lot. Does anyone here have longer term experience? I was looking into that as my first iSUP and the only downsides I can see is they use glued side-fins and a non US-finbox center fin. And the drop-stitch technology seems a bit older and makes it heavier. I'm not sure if that is good or bad, since lighter can mean it is easier to poke a hole in.

I apologize for opening an old thread, but didn't want to waste threads.
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal