Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: PFD Hydration combo

« on: May 19, 2019, 05:43:51 PM »

I have been using the Moke one for years. Big pockets and work really good. No wear and tear to see. not the most elegant but what pfd is.

2

Downwind and Racing / Re: 50 knot+ downwind near Marseille - video

« on: May 17, 2019, 02:33:17 PM »

Another one last week-end   

Ma famille me disait que le Mistral soufflait a 120km/h dans la vallée et 200 km/h au Mont Ventoux. Faut bien s'accrocher a sa planche :-)

3

Gear Talk / Re: Blue Planet Bumprider 14 x 28 and 14 x 30 questions.

« on: May 13, 2019, 11:19:55 AM »

Thanks Luc.

I sold my Glide, so looking for something similar for a stable go to board for rough water touring and down winding. Strongly considering the Sunova Expedition right now after getting some feedback from Norm. Maybe a 28" wide bump rider and 30" wide Sunova for the long tours.

Yes Norm really like his Expedition 28.5. I am going to try the 27" at some point but having no $, it is not a rush.

4

Gear Talk / Re: Blue Planet Bumprider 14 x 28 and 14 x 30 questions.

« on: May 13, 2019, 10:02:51 AM »

Hey Mel,
Talk to Arne on FB https://www.facebook.com/arne.gutmann?fref=pb&hc_location=friends_tab
He just got one and he is a long distance and touring paddler and downwinder.

Cheers,

Luc

5

Gear Talk / Re: Coiled leashes any negatives?

« on: May 04, 2019, 05:27:28 PM »

One good word for the design work of DJ on the Balin Monster Coil leash.
I just purchased a second one. I use them with a belt and cannot be happier. All the small details that make you forget about the leash and that are super useful and show that the person that made the suggestions know what he is talking about and what is useful.

6

Sessions / Re: May 1st a few mellow waves

« on: May 03, 2019, 07:19:09 PM »

Beautiful day Bob.
I have always wondered in Long Beach would be a good spot to really paddle away from the parking lots and get some privacy :-)

7

Downwind and Racing / Re: Recent Races; Average Paddler Weight and Average Board Width

« on: May 01, 2019, 11:45:32 AM »

Meet UGKM, the British stallion of SUP racing....160 lbs is very short off the mark :-)

8

Downwind and Racing / Re: M15 & the Easter Bumps - First downwind of the season

« on: April 26, 2019, 05:46:56 PM »

Fin? Could not recognise the fin on the last frames. Looks longer than a GTS.

9

Gear Talk / Re: Help me decide on my next downwind board

« on: April 24, 2019, 02:28:14 PM »

The price I have seen for a Rail in the USA kind of make it a no brainer !!!!!

That’s why i sold my Allstar, Luc Not the only one though.

Yes but at $1,200 it is an incredible value for a good board with a great construction....difficult to fault that.

10

Gear Talk / Re: Help me decide on my next downwind board

« on: April 24, 2019, 02:26:45 PM »

The price I have seen for a Rail in the USA kind of make it a no brainer !!!!!

I know, it's almost like you have to buy just because. I was close to pulling the trigger just to have one as a backup.

$1,200 for a brand new Rail.....of course they do not ship/sale directly to Canada.....so it is for the US guys only.

11

Gear Talk / Re: Help me decide on my next downwind board

« on: April 24, 2019, 01:51:53 PM »

You could also check the Ian Balding Albatros. A 14' gun that looks so very nice.
His web site seems down right now.

https://distressedmullet.com/2015/11/14/custom-board-candy-ian-balding-albatross-standup-paddleboard/

If we had really strong wind more often I would be so very tempted....

https://www.facebook.com/pg/ianbaldingpaddleandsurf/posts/?ref=page_internal

But of course, you are like me starved for big and clean conditions 

12

Gear Talk / Re: Help me decide on my next downwind board

« on: April 24, 2019, 01:28:50 PM »

The price I have seen for a Rail in the USA kind of make it a no brainer !!!!!

13

Gear Talk / Re: Help me decide on my next downwind board

« on: April 24, 2019, 09:53:46 AM »

Yes we do not really have clean conditions very often here but more confused, crossing bumps. Once in a blue moon. The silver-lining, is that when we have something clean, even if it is not super strong, it feels like a million dollar.....
There is a balancing act between something with a little bit more volume to help in lighter winds and something with a volume that is uncomfortable in confused conditions.

14

Gear Talk / Re: Help me decide on my next downwind board

« on: April 24, 2019, 09:50:03 AM »

Double post....

15

Gear Talk / Re: Help me decide on my next downwind board

« on: April 24, 2019, 09:47:59 AM »

These two are wildly different boards, so I think you’d have to let us know a bit more about you, what you want out of your board, and the conditions you paddle in before we could advise you properly.

My own preference would probably be the JL. But I paddle in extremely messy and windy conditions, and I don’t race. And I LOVE downwind “surfing” rather than piloting a board: the sense of control and carving that a gun-shaped DW board gives. I also surf my 14ft boards quite a lot. But if I paddled milder conditions or was interested more in speed than surfability, I might get the Downtown. I suspect that most people paddle conditions that are less extreme than mine, and would want a board that might be ok as an occasional flat water racer too, whereas I have a big quiver of boards, so can go more specialist.

Thanks Area! Conditions I paddle in are probably like this - 200 days flat --- 120 days chop (knee high bumps) and the rest is downbreezer/small waves. We don't get those epic dw conditions here and our winds are normally 15-25 mph. Rarely we get winds crossing 30 mph barrier. I do prefer the feel of the downwind board even in the flat water - racing in the flat doesn't appeal to me but it is nice to have a board that can move somewhat more efficiently through the water. I love boards that can carve on the bump and Rail will deliver I am sure. My concern is how sluggish it is on the flats. On the other hand, Downtown concerns me with this big volume up front probably very similar to my Allstar that gets pushed easily in the sidewind and chop. Price wise, Rail is the buy now - the deal is just amazing good - while downtown comes in at a higher price - it might be a better board for my conditions. I demoed dugout downtown and hated it.

One of our Swiss paddler member of the forum swears by the Rail and find it "fast" on the flat. I tried it only once but by then I had moved into boof noses (Vapor, Maliko...) and just did not want a pointy nose.