Messages

1

Gear Talk / 12'6 Surftech Bark Competitor - How Does It Compare To Modern Boards??

« on: July 25, 2023, 09:30:53 AM »

I've been able to play with an old 12'6 Surftech Bark Competitor on Lake Michigan this summer.  It's in great shape but has to be at least 10 years old.  I like the speed and stability it presents and am learning to surf it in after paddling out through breaking waves.  I'm curious how it stacks up with modern 12'6 open water race type boards.  Does it give up a lot to its modern peers?  What do the newer boards do better?  Thanks.

2

Gear Talk / Re: ULI Valve Replacement?

« on: July 05, 2023, 05:00:37 PM »

Photo of one of our Steamrollers' valve.

3

Gear Talk / Re: ULI Valve Replacement?

« on: July 05, 2023, 02:26:17 PM »

I had no idea ULI is back in business.  I'll reach out.  Fingers crossed.

4

Gear Talk / ULI Valve Replacement?

« on: July 05, 2023, 12:00:18 PM »

Anyone know what valve I need to replace the valves on my Ulis?  I replaced a valve years ago but cannot find any info on the the exactly what I valve I need.  Thanks in advance.  David K

5

Gear Talk / Re: 12'6" Bark Vapor, 14' SIC Okeanos, Starboard Waterline...?

« on: August 02, 2020, 07:56:59 AM »

I was wrong about the Rivera Downwinder - it was repairable!
 

But, I really want to try a Starboard Generation anyway.
Thanks for the suggestions and advice

6

Gear Talk / Re: 12'6" Bark Vapor, 14' SIC Okeanos, Starboard Waterline...?

« on: July 23, 2020, 02:24:46 PM »

Had not come across the Starboard Generation!  It seems to check the boxes. Thanks for the suggestion.

7

Gear Talk / Re: 12'6" Bark Vapor, 14' SIC Okeanos, Starboard Waterline...?

« on: July 23, 2020, 08:02:37 AM »

Just found out the demo Bark has been sold.  Also told that the Waterline is stable in 2' chop.  Dave K

8

Gear Talk / Re: 12'6" Bark Vapor, 14' SIC Okeanos, Starboard Waterline...?

« on: July 23, 2020, 06:15:51 AM »

What if the 12'6" Bark Vapor is on sale as a demo model for $900?  This really tempts me.  Although I recognize that a 14' is best it's hard to not roll the dice on a 12'6" Bark.  Years ago we got to play around on a 12'6" Bark Competitor and liked it a lot.

Boiled down we probably want something for going in and out of choppy short interval surf and swell for fun and flatter water fitness paddling. 

Our "quiver" consists of:
- Two 10' Uli Steamrollers
- 8' Uli MiniQuad
- 11'x31" Surftech Discovery
- 10'10"x27" Bic Jungle
- Epic V7 surski
- Broken 14'x26" Riviera Downwinder

9

Gear Talk / Re: 12'6" Bark Vapor, 14' SIC Okeanos, Starboard Waterline...?

« on: July 23, 2020, 04:35:37 AM »

Greatly appreciate the feedback.  Thanks.  David K

10

Gear Talk / 12'6" Bark Vapor, 14' SIC Okeanos, Starboard Waterline...?

« on: July 22, 2020, 03:57:31 PM »

Looking for a new Lake Michigan board.  It will more or less take the place of a damaged 14'x26" Riviera Downwinder.  We want a go in and out of the surf zone, maybe catch a bump or wave, capable of going up and down the coast type board. I think we want something slightly more stable than the Riviera Downwinder, particularly in side chop.  All of us weigh about 190lbs - Except me, I weigh about 205lbs.

Currently available for the amount we want to spend:
-SIC Okeanos 14'x26" or 28"
-Starboard Waterline 14'x28" or 12'6"x28"
-Bark Vapor 12'6"x26"
-Bark Downwinder 12'6'x27.2" (optimal for 190lbs and under)
-Hobie 2015 Apex 14x27.5"
-Surftech Saber 12'6"x31"
-Starboard Touring Lite Tech 12'6'x31
-SIC Sonic 12'6"x30"

Trusted midwest seller says the Starboard Waterline is very good in Lake Michigan chop in spite of its low amount of rocker.

Thoughts?  Anything to immediately rule out?  Thanks for any input.

11

Gear Talk / Replace Deck Pad on an ULI iSUP?

« on: April 19, 2019, 10:48:13 AM »

I need to replace the deck pad on a 10 foot ULI Steamroller.    I have some pretty basic questions:
Where do I get new deck pad material? 
What's the best way to prep, cut, glue, etc.? 
Hope a Zoner can point me in the right direction.   
BTW, I've reached out to ULI a few times over the last couple weeks via emails and have yet to hear back.  I hope all is okay with the company and they are just very busy, all at a trade show, on vacation, or similar. 
Thanks in advance.

12

Gear Talk / Re: Great Lakes Board - Time for an Upgrade - What are you using?

« on: June 21, 2018, 01:25:20 PM »

All, thanks for the replies. 

We stay in Holland, south side of the pier.   I've been going up to the general area for over 40 years.

Until recently it made more sense for me to have inflatables instead of rigid boards.
 
I do not know if a Simmons style board would work.  I have never tried one.  Based on my Uli inflatables I know that  I prefer the longer and slightly skinnier Lopez to the FAQ and Mini Quad.  The small fins on the quad Ulis seem to make it hard for me to surf and break out of the surf zone.

The Bic Jungle is a bit of a beast even though its only 10'10.  It is not very stable and does not glide very well but is okay at riding waves.

We tested several boards on flat water a few years ago.  Loved the 12'6 yellow Bark but think that this next purchase should be a good all all around style lake board.
 
We do prone surf when conditions are right.  We primarily use a 9 foot foam board and an 10 foot NSP longboard.

Picture shows four of us last summer.  My youngest is paddling out on our Uli Steamroller.  Two other kids are prone surfing and I am the kook riding the Bic (I think I was prone surfing it as I do not see a paddle).

Thanks.

DK

13

Gear Talk / Re: Great Lakes Board - Time for an Upgrade - What are you using?

« on: June 21, 2018, 11:33:56 AM »

What are the more experienced prone boarders using at the breaks that you surf?

I wish it was nice enough often enough that we had regular experienced prone surfers.  But, its Lake Michigan, there really is no "break" to speak of and conditions are wildly inconsistent.  Fresh water beach break with wind generated waves.  When there are waves they are as a rule choppy and very short interval.  Fresh water has less float, is a bit slower and the waves are weaker compared to similar sized salt water waves.

DK

 

14

Gear Talk / Great Lakes Board - Time for an Upgrade - What are you using?

« on: June 21, 2018, 09:43:12 AM »

Looking for a new board for Lake Michigan. 

Primary users range from 170 to 200 pounds.  For several years we've had a Bic Jungle (10'10X27), and a few Uli iSups (Steamrollers, FAQ and a 10 foot Lopez). 

A few years back it seemed that the Starboard Blend might be ideal.  But, it looks like the trend has been to shorter and wider boards since then.  I wonder if a longer relatively less narrow board like the Blend might still be better suited to the choppy, short wave interval nature of Michigan?

Any hard board similar to the 10 Foot Uli Lopez?

Thanks for any suggestions or input. 
     
David K

15

SUP General / Re: Has anyone surfed an Uli?

« on: August 02, 2016, 10:47:45 AM »

Yes.  Yes, yes and yes. 

Currently we have 2 Steamrollers - one with and one without the Wiki rail.  Used to own a Mini Quad that I traded for an ultra light 10' Lopez that subsequently died from too many leaking abrasions and ultimately a blown out seam. 

Steamroller - Had it 6 years and still performs great.  It can cruise and it can surf.  Its not great at either but it is fun, seems indestructible and travels well.

Mini Quad - I had a lot of trouble getting much out of the Mini Quad.  Getting it out through choppy consistent Michigan and west Florida wind generated waves was a chore and I was unable to do much with it once I caught a wave.  It was not very fun cruising either.  But, my kids did like it and were able to surf it.  Like the Steamroller it seemed indestructible.  I wish it had been a FAQ instead of the Mini Quad. I suspect I would have enjoyed it more.

Lopez - Loved this board,  It surfed very well and cruised well.  The pointed nose, narrower width, etc., made it superior to the Steamroller.  I wish I had obtained the regular/double skinned Lopez instead of the lighter but less robust single skinned version.  I'd take another Lopez any day.  If you can already stand up paddle and do not need a super beginner friendly board then I would strongly recommend a 10 foot Lopez.   

Steamroller with Wiki Rail - Its not a Lopez but it does seem a bit better than the older Steamroller.  Might be a bit faster and surf a bit better.  To me its a subtle difference.  In fact, I can not tell which board I am on without looking.    I have had a lot of fun playing with it in Michigan and Cocoa Beach, Florida.   

DK