Messages

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Gear Talk / Re: Starboard Airline Inflatable???

« on: February 05, 2022, 01:44:37 PM »

Thought I'd post a quick update. I did in fact purchase the Starboard Airline (12' 6" x 27"). My first time out on it was yesterday, and then I went out again this morning. To be completely honest, I found the initial set up a bit of a pain. This was getting the string to the correct length, getting the string stuffed in the fin box, etc., etc. But as far as I can see, this initial set up only has to be done one time, and then it is good to go for future paddles.

So what was the paddling experience like? Pretty sure this is the nicest inflatable I've paddled. Really, really like paddling this board. It's pretty fast for an inflatable, and I also found it stable and responsive. Also tracks really well. And if you step back to do a buoy turn, the nose pops right out of the water, which in my experience isn't always the case with inflatables. This is a fun board to paddle and I know I'm going to enjoy it. This board is a keeper.

Funny thing is, my wife took it out for a paddle this afternoon, and now she also wants one.

If you  are looking for an inflatable, this one is definitely worth a look.

    Thanks for the update! How was it in the choppy conditions? That's been my biggest question since I mostly paddle a few ocean spots that get messy. I had a 12"6' x 30 Naish One that had decent nose rocker that was great in those conditions but it finally bit the dust after 8 years of use.  I've been eyeballing either the 12'6" Airline or this one from Infinity that's an inch wider but since it's new with no option for demo I haven't been able to get much info about it to compare https://infinitysurf.com/collections/sup-air/products/blackfish-air 

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Gear Talk / Re: 2022 Starboard Inflatable SUPs - now in stock

« on: February 04, 2022, 03:01:45 PM »

We have a few more boards coming in March, the 12'6" Airline might be in that group. I've added you to our waiting list and will let you know.

Awesome, thank you!

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Gear Talk / Re: 2022 Starboard Inflatable SUPs - now in stock

« on: February 03, 2022, 10:33:01 PM »

 Enjoyed your review of the Airline... I've been looking at the 12'6"x27" but those seem to be pretty hard to find. Any idea if you'll be getting more of those? Apartment living keeps me on inflatables but I'm looking for something that's decent in chop and fast.

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Gear Talk / Re: Inflatable repair

« on: April 23, 2020, 01:17:43 PM »

 Thanks, that helps! It's been a great board but I end up surfing more now so it only gets a little love when I take friends out. I'm eyeballing that sweet deal you've got on the older Fanatics at the moment.

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Gear Talk / Inflatable repair

« on: April 22, 2020, 06:05:15 PM »

I've got a Naish One inflatable that I've had since 2013 and it's held up really well but I noticed some leaking in the back of it last time I took it out. I did the soap test on it to get a better look and there are several small holes around the top of the tail, and then what looks like 2 small ones along the seam behind the D ring. The holes along the top I feel like I could just patch after watching some videos but I'm more concerned about trying to repair the one along the seam. Is that something I could try myself or does that need a pro repair? It's not bad yet, but I'm a little worried about a blow out. I'm also wondering given the age of the board if the material has just degraded from use and if I'd be better off just replacing it. It's been a great board and it seems a waste to just toss it. I'm in the LA area if you know of anyone smarter than me who could repair it. Thanks!

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SUP General / Re: Lets start the bidding 2000$

« on: June 30, 2018, 10:05:12 PM »

  There's a reason I'm still paddling the same board I bought in Seattle 5 years ago....I can't afford another one!  I'd love a surf shape but every time I think there's room in the budget some other disaster pops up. I keep an eye on Craigslist and hopefully someday something right and affordable will pop up. Damn expensive hobby we've got.

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SUP General / Re: WTF Laird.

« on: May 28, 2017, 07:19:07 PM »

 What I enjoyed most about seeing his comments posted everywhere from Surfline to more general media was all the dudes in the comments who agreed with him and were all 'it's common sense bruh.' Despite all of the actual science being shown to them that proved otherwise.

 That said, I'm thinking of getting a rash guard made that says CURRENTLY MENSTRUATING or something. Sounds like a guaranteed way to have the lineup to myself. *facepalm*

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Random / Re: Surfy SUP at Costco

« on: May 24, 2017, 09:55:59 PM »

   ....hey look a surf shape I can afford!   I may have to try this out. I've been learning to prone surf but I miss paddling.  My 12'6" Naish One isn't exactly surfy. I don't have the heart to sell it but a series of financial emergencies killed my budget for buying a surf SUP this year so this could be fun 

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SUP General / Re: Charleston and Seattle Zoners

« on: March 24, 2017, 10:42:27 PM »

I love Seattle--grew up there and still spend lots of time there.  Housing affordability is the big issue, as has already been said. Lots of Portlanders have a weird hatred of Seattle, maybe because they can't admit it's as good or better in many things Portland thinks too highly of itself for.  Best thing about Seattle is its natural setting---Lake Washington and Sound, with mountains all around.  Yes, there's all kinds of things within a few hours' drive, but also plenty to like within the city. But today, I might choose a smaller city near Seattle.  Tacoma is vastly underrated.  Bellingham is great.  Anywhere in Puget Sound is great.  Then go into Seattle for your big-city fix--or better yet, go to Vancouver (BC, not WA!) for one of the world's great cosmopolitan cities.

And I paddle (not surf) in the Sound all summer in board shorts, and sometimes swim (but that takes some easing in).  Coming back here after being in Lake Washington or the Sound, the Willamette feels like a sewer.

 THIS. I lived in Seattle for 7 years and left for LA because of my job. I miss the PNW so much it hurts sometimes, and it's been 2 years I've been gone now. (That's the Seattle skyline from West Seattle in my photo) I loved paddling Puget Sound, year round. And there are plenty of other great paddle destinations within easy driving distance. The housing cost is absurd, but I feel like that's the case just about everywhere outside the midwest these days. Like any big cities it's got its problems, but there's plenty to love too. 

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Gear Talk / Re: Surf SUP recs for beginning surfer

« on: February 06, 2017, 07:54:50 PM »

 Thanks everyone, I feel like I at least have a place to start! I really need to just go demo a few and see what happens. I think the thing I worry about most is losing control of a bigger board and launching it at someone. That's been the nice thing about the inflatable all these years (besides storage before I had garage space)  is that I could bounce off it, or bounce it off rocks in places like Deception Pass and nothing happened!

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Gear Talk / Re: Surf SUP recs for beginning surfer

« on: February 01, 2017, 09:17:49 PM »

Hi GingerR
It would help greatly to know:
What prone board you ride
skill level
What level paddler

The 12'6 is a big board, so I am guessing you don't want to go too short?

Length & width are just numbers.... it's matching the right one's for you that will make it most enjoyable.
I am a fan of being comfortable on your learning SUP.... I believe you are happier and progress faster.

   I'd say I'm an intermediate paddler. My giant board had a lot of fun in Puget Sound and out on the Olympic peninsula and I've 'surfed' my friend's 10'6" Bic a few times in smaller waves and done ok. I'm still rocking a Wavestorm for proning since I've only been at it 6 months or so....that's another board I could stand to upgrade at some point!  I don't think I want to go too short off the bat but don't want to go too big either.

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Gear Talk / Surf SUP recs for beginning surfer

« on: February 01, 2017, 10:16:14 AM »

  Yep, another one of these! I've got a 12'6" naish one inflatable that I've had for years that I bought while I was living in Seattle. It's still fun but not really the right board now that I've been living in LA for a while. I've been learning to prone surf which is fun but I know just by watching that sup surfing is way more fun!  I'm 5'7" about 130 and a woman if the name doesn't give it away. I've been spending most of my surf time either at Malibu third point or at Mondos in Ventura county which looks really sup friendly.  To start I think I'm mostly looking for stability but not super heavy and something that I can actually turn! My budget isn't huge so I'm hoping to buy used but any help on what to look for would be most appreciated.

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SUP General / Re: "You look like a p___s with a hat on!"

« on: January 02, 2017, 08:35:55 PM »

I was getting ready to go out at Privates and putting on my helmet and a bunch of young men drove by in a station wagon flipping the bird and yelling "You look like a penis with a hat on!" 

I waved and nodded in agreement. I haven't been roundly mocked and catcalled since my inflatable, it was kind of refreshing.

   Not even an original insult! Tom Hanks says that to an umpire in a game in "A League of Their Own!" https://youtu.be/Xx8cCDthsuk?t=1m36s

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SUP General / Re: Petition to expand SUP surf area at San Onofre

« on: September 06, 2016, 09:50:20 PM »

 Signed!

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Gear Talk / Re: 9'6 WaveStorm SUP: First Ride Report

« on: August 01, 2016, 08:41:02 PM »

Found a guy who is selling new 9'6's from the back of his car for $280.  So I met him in a deserted Trader Joe's parking lot at 9:20 PM, in the dark, and we struck a deal.  (Hmm, decided I should not ask too many questions there)  Board was brand new.  Has some tail rocker and pretty sharp rails, surprisingly stiff, looked promising, so I pulled the trigger.

First Ride Report: Pleasantly Surprised

Conditions:  Took it out in lame, bumpy surf on the south side of Newport pier this morning.  Waves knee to shoulder high, some walled, others mushy and gutless, every once in a while a nice hollow pealing wave, but rare.

Impressions: Deck doesn't offer enough traction; must be waxed. The thing is crazy stable, has a very strong secondary stability where you should be ashamed if you fall over. 

I was pleasantly surprised at how well it caught waves and surfed.  It's certainly not a high-performance board, but I was able to bottom turn it and ride it in the pocket.   I even managed one respectable cutback.  Foot on tail and rail is a must.

The Reason I Bought it:  Some beginner surfers paddled out after awhile and did what almost all beginners do; sit right inside of you in the take-off zone right in the way.  In the past, I would not take waves because I didn't want to take any chance of hitting them.  Today, while still being careful, I took waves and surfed around them with the confidence of knowing that, even if I fell, (didn't happen) I couldn't do much damage to them or their boards with my softie. 

GINGER: Get one, you will love it!  The guy has 4 more to sell, by the way.

 Damn, how in the hell am I just seeing this now?!   I'll keep an eye out on craigslist...