Topics

1

SUP General / box and ship from Philly

« on: April 22, 2015, 01:46:48 PM »

This is a little off-topic since I'll be asking for referrals for shipping a kayak from Philadelphia to Seattle, but I figure it is close enough to shipping a board that anyone who can package and ship a board can package and ship a kayak.  I'm interested in buying an 18 foot kayak from a private party who lives near Philadelphia.  I would like to find a vendor who can box it and ship it to Seattle.  I just don't know where to look for such a vendor.  Does anyone have a recommendation?  BTW, after briefly looking I found a shipper who will transport it for about $400, but they need it boxed.  Robert

2

Gear Talk / durability Ron House 12-6 carbon?

« on: November 23, 2014, 05:37:11 PM »

I own a fiberglass Riviera Ron House 12-6 race board.  I think it is a pretty light lay-up; it dings easily.  I have an opportunity to buy the same board in carbon.  I was wondering if anyone has an idea of the durability of carbon Ron House?
Robert

3

Gear Talk / Werner Nitro, Soul paddle impressions

« on: September 18, 2014, 08:26:33 AM »

Just a quick note about Werner Paddles.  I was looking for a reasonably priced second paddle for my wife and occassional guest paddler.  I have a Werner Nitro M that I like and use routinely.  I picked up an adjustable Werner Soul M from Campmor for less than $250.  The blade is fiberglass, otherwise it is the same as the Nitro.  The weight and balance of the paddle is indistinguishable from the Nitro to me.  I suspect that the Carve is similar in that the little extra weight is in the shaft where it is not felt as much.  Werner's fiberglass blades seem to quite light.
Robert

4

Gear Talk / Laird Bark 14 Tuflite impressions

« on: September 18, 2014, 08:16:46 AM »

I recently bought a used Laird Bark 14, Tuflite construction for flatwater paddling.  I'm 165lbs, so admittedly a little light for the board.  But I wanted an efficient stable board for when the weather turns bad.  I usually paddle a Ron House 12-6 race board.

First the negative:  It is surprisingly heavy (over 35 lbs).  And it is hard to control in a side wind.
And the positive: It is so stable compared to the Ron House and just as fast or maybe faster.
In balance: It will be a good board for paddling when the water is cold or the conditions are such that I feel insecure on my Ron House.  I think I will probably continue to paddle the House during warm water months on local lakes, but use the Laird Bark for cold marine water paddling and winter paddling on lakes.

Robert

5

Gear Talk / UV protection?

« on: July 26, 2014, 01:03:54 PM »

I'm looking for ideas of how to protect the bottom of my board from UV damage without using a bag or cover.

The details:  I have a Ron House 12-6 race board, I think it's a factory board.  I had a ding repair by Kody Kessler in Seattle (good guy) and learned that the bottom might be just glass over foam (no paint), or maybe glass over painted foam.  I leave it on my car unprotected and think I'm seeing sun discoloration, perhaps sun damage.  I don't want to bag it or cover the board.  I want the convenience of just carrying it around and throwing it in the water whenever and wherever I have an hour to paddle.   I'm not worried about the heat since the bottom is white and it doesn't get that hot here.  I'm thinking about painting the bottom or using some sort of product to protect from UV.  I have some "303 aerospace protectant" which claims to filter UV, but there is no way to be sure.

Any suggestions about painting, the kind of paint to use, or some other way to protect from UV damage?

Robert

6

Gear Talk / inflatable rooftop carrier

« on: June 24, 2014, 03:51:45 PM »

I just saw this inflatable rooftop carrier and wondered if anyone has tried it.  It looks like a great idea:
http://www.handiworld.com/  Robert

7

Travel, Trips, Destinations / iSUP rental in Cabo San Lucas, or San Jose del Cabo

« on: June 10, 2014, 02:16:03 PM »

Anyone know of a place to rent an iSUP in Cabo San Lucas, or San Jose del Cabo.  I'm headed up Sea of Cortez 50 miles and want to take a SUP with me.  I can't carry a rigid board on a rental car but could take an inflatable.  Robert

8

Flatwater and Touring / News on Standamaran?

« on: June 01, 2014, 03:27:42 PM »

A few years back I was intrigued by the SIC Standamaran 16' catamaran.  All the reviews claimed it was game-changer in terms of speed and glide.  Yet I just haven't heard much about them recently or anyone else trying the design.  It seems like a good idea on flatwater.  Anyone seen, paddled, or heard much about them recently?
Robert

9

Travel, Trips, Destinations / Rentals in Cabo Pulmo

« on: May 26, 2014, 09:16:32 AM »

I'm going to San Jose del Cabo and Cabo Pulmo.  I's love to rent a SUP in Cabo Pulmo for snorkle support and messing around paddling out to the reef (no surfing).  Does anyone have any info about who might rent a board in Cabo Pulmo, or may a week-long inflatable in San Jose Del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas (that I can take to Cabo Pulmo when I drive up there).  Robert

10

Gear Talk / crazy idea about a saddle or stirrups

« on: May 14, 2014, 01:08:09 PM »

I posted this comment on the flatwater site, but think it should be in gear:
"I was at the NW Paddle Festival in Seattle, home of Easy Rider Kayak.  Easy Rider is always bringing something experimental to try; I admire a company interested in trying new ideas.  They cut the top off of a kayak, put a flat plywood top on it and put an outrigger on it.  It was interesting to paddle standing, fast in a straight line.  It seems that one might want something to brace against because I think it would rock a lot in side-on waves.  I also think falling toward the ama could be disasterous."

The board with outrigger will not tip easily, but if it tips enough that my center of gravity falls outside my foot placement, I will lose balance and fall (perhaps on the ama).  I've paddled a canoe from standing and have just this same problem, so I take a wide stance.  What if one put stirrups like those found on windsurfers on the board.  Or a high saddle with long horn between my legs to brace against (some ski bikes are designed this way to give more control).  This probably sound crazy to a surfer, and maybe even to flatwater paddlers.

Robert

11

Flatwater and Touring / thinking about a couple of 14s

« on: May 14, 2014, 12:52:03 PM »

I'm about ready to move from my 12-6 Ron House race board to a 14 board for fitness and exploring.  I'm in Seattle and want a board that will keep me out of the water when it's cold, and that is efficient, good glide, at 3 knots.  I paddle in big and little lakes often shared with motor boats, and want to get out into Puget Sound more often (water is always cold).  I weigh 165 lbs.  I've paddled 2 boards that I like: Laird Bark 14 and the Stand on Liquid Revere.  I can't really tell that one is better than the other from my short test paddles, but one is $400 less than the other (that's real money to me).  Any opinions?
Robert

12

Flatwater and Touring / outrigger SUP from Easy Rider

« on: May 13, 2014, 09:44:41 PM »

I was at the NW Paddle Festival in Seattle, home of Easy Rider Kayak.  Easy Rider is always bringing something experimental to try; I admire a company interested in trying new ideas.  They cut the top off of a kayak, put a flat plywood top on it and put an outrigger on it.  It was interesting to paddle standing, fast in a straight line.  It seems that one might want something to brace against because I think it would rock a lot in side-on waves.  I also think falling toward the ama could be disasterous.  Robert

13

Flatwater and Touring / cross wind and rail shape?

« on: May 12, 2014, 12:58:47 PM »

I went out this morning for a lake paddle, wind from the north at 5mph.  So I paddled into the wind hoping for a gentle assist on the return.  On my return the wind shifted to an easterly 10-12 mph, with a mile of fetch, creating some wind waves off my beam (my least favorite wind direction).  The lake is still very cold and I didn't relish swimming and have to admit to taking a knee for part of the return paddle.

I was wondering about the rail design.  My board has pretty boxy rails.  Do softer rounded rails handle the side-on waves better than hard boxy rails?

Robert

14

Gear Talk / Some 14s and inflatables

« on: May 12, 2014, 10:12:03 AM »

I went to the NW paddling festival in Seattle and had a chance to paddle a few 12-6 touring inflatables (including an Imagine, Raven, Naish), as well as a few rigid 14er’s: Stand on Liquid Revere, and the Lakeshore River Rover.  I found the inflatables to flex along the long axis which made them feel a bit less stable and less fun; but they seemed to be quick enough.  Both 14ers felt very stable and had good glide.
Lakeshore River Rover has a boxy cross section, completely flat deck, minimal rocker, and a fine bow.  (14’x31”x5”, 297 L, 35 #)  It moved through the water with little effort, had good glide, and tracked well.  Even this high volume wide board felt fine to me.
Stand on Liquid Revere has a double concave bottom, rounded rails, minimal rocker, and a fine bow.  (14’x30”x6.7”, 309 L, 32#)  It moved through water with little effort, had good glide, tracked well.  This felt a little more efficient than the Lakeshore board.  It was plenty stable and the volume was not a problem.
I did not paddle the Laird/Bark 14 this time but it is the board by which I judge all other 14s (it is the best board I've demoed for my application - lake and Puget Sound fitness paddling)

I would be happy with the SOL Revere and feel is compares favorably with the Laird/Bark.  I don't think inflatables are in my future this year.  Perhaps soon I will demo one that really feels good, but haven't found one yet.

Robert (165 lbs, 68", I like a stable board, currently paddle a Ron House 12-6 race board)

15

SUP General / recommendation for rental in San Diego

« on: March 10, 2014, 08:57:41 PM »

I'm looking for a place to rent a board for a few hours for some flatwater paddling in San Diego.  I was wondering if there are other places other than Mission Bay to flatwater paddle?  I'll be there Mar.20.  Robert