Messages

241

Gear Talk / Re: Calling all Inflatables!!! Longevity AND to roll or not to

« on: August 11, 2017, 06:37:42 PM »

I'd say that the useful life expectancy of a top quality iSUP that is well looked after is likely at least 5-10 years in normal use, and is probably considerably longer.  Maybe double that...

My 2015 Red didn't make a year before suffering multiple defects.  Mine was twisted or became twisted.  Then a huge basketball size bubble developed between the dual layers on the deck and a side seam split shortly after.  To say my board was barely used and I treat my equipment well is an understatement.  Red had self confessed quality control issues with their 2015s and Red was pretty quick to warranty the board.

Well, it's quite possible that was a unique, isolated issue since haven't heard anything since. Looks like they hashed out all the kinks and thankfully they stepped up and took care of it.

242

Gear Talk / Re: Calling all Inflatables!!! Longevity AND to roll or not to

« on: August 11, 2017, 02:28:56 PM »

I've seen RedPaddle rental fleet inflatables fully inflated, fully abused, and stored outside in the sun for 4 + years. The deck pad begins to get unstuck in corners and the colors fade.

Ya mean like this???😂😆

243

Gear Talk / Re: Calling all Inflatables!!! Longevity AND to roll or not to

« on: August 11, 2017, 01:29:12 PM »

+1 on the ULI. Had mine early Steamroller model for 5 years and I bought it used. I kept it inflated pretty much the whole time. I rolled it when it was deflated. It was bulletproof. I think the guy who bought it from me had a problem with the valve. It was a good 6 to 7 years old by then. ULI has built tow-able rescue sleds for a long time.

https://www.uliboards.com/

PS. My brother just saw an these people in a cabin next to his pull a brand new PEAK inflatable SUP out of the box and inflate it. They left it in the sun, and took off for a while. All of the sudden my brother hears this BOOM! It blew some of the shingles off of the cabin wall, and made a big dust cloud So much for PEAK brand....

Wow on the Uli!

Disturbing on the Peak!!! I'm beginning to think when out and about or just hanging out that I should stand clear of Peak and Isle. Lol!!

244

Gear Talk / Re: Calling all Inflatables!!! Longevity AND to roll or not to

« on: August 11, 2017, 01:25:55 PM »

I've got a Red Elite 14 & an Imagine Connector that have been inflated for 2+ years with no issues. I reduce pressure when I know I'm not paddling for a bit, but they spend a good bit of the time at full inflation.

Also a KPO Yampa that's been at full pressure since September. still going strong.

My Hala boards have spent periods inflated, periods rolled, and plenty of use & abuse. All still going strong

Good to hear on the Red!!
How long have you had the Hala and Yampa?

245

Gear Talk / Re: Calling all Inflatables!!! Longevity AND to roll or not to

« on: August 11, 2017, 01:23:18 PM »

ULI lopez owned since 2013, no issues other than smashing the fin boxes while running rivers , replaced once, living with one now.

Rolled up, kept inflated for months , abused , thrown around,  flown with, been the recipient of a smoke glazing from a small fire in my shed, still holds 18 PSI no issues, still solid

Luckily both the boat, shed AND you are ok.

246

Gear Talk / Re: Calling all Inflatables!!! Longevity AND to roll or not to

« on: August 11, 2017, 09:53:13 AM »

THAT'S fantastic news! Except for the ballooning parts of course. 
I DID see a YouTube video of an Isle blow out. Apparently the board was just sitting there according to the owner.

I would imagine if the pads start peeling away anywhere, some gorilla glue would do the trick?

247

Gear Talk / Re: Inflatables-Isle, Tower, Elevate OR ?

« on: August 11, 2017, 08:24:02 AM »

Don't see anything yet....

248

Gear Talk / Calling all Inflatables!!! Longevity AND to roll or not to

« on: August 11, 2017, 07:57:25 AM »

This is a two part question for all the inflatable owners out there. Start off by calling out what brand and model you own.

1) How long have you owned yours and what condition is it in so far?

AND

2) Do you roll yours up, keep it semi deflated and standing somewhere or completely deflated laying flat?

My curiosity or concern is if the whole rolling up and unrolling process is taking it's toll on yours. The seems etc I'm sure get tired after a while. Who knows, maybe not.

249

Gear Talk / Re: Inflatables-Isle, Tower, Elevate OR ?

« on: August 11, 2017, 07:43:10 AM »

I’ll give it a go.

1. Not sure it applies as most inflatables have the same type of rails. Someone can correct me if they think otherwise. But definitely primary and secondary stability for hard boards.

2. I think I already answered this earlier. Red makes a quality product and it should last quite a while. You said earlier you take care of your equipment so that should further prolong the life. One other tip - don’t leave your inflatable out in the sun, especially at full pressure.

Note that I also remember reading somewhere that sand can get in where you insert the stiffening battens at the side of the board, and this can prematurely cause wear. I have no idea if this is true, but just to be on the safe side I would not insert the battens on a sandy beach. But that's probably just me being overly cautious.

3. I don’t roll my inflatable up when I store it. I partially deflate so it is nowhere near full pressure, and just store it like this.

Hope this helps.

Yep, I aaw your previous response BUT I was looking for a more consistent response which is why I'm going to start a new post for this response. Lasting "quite a while " can mean a couple of years or 5 to 10.

Good tip on the battens for sure!! Makes sense to me.

I may also create a new post on the "to roll up or not to roll up" question.

250

Gear Talk / Re: Product alert: Don't buy Bravo BP 12 electric pump

« on: August 11, 2017, 07:34:04 AM »

Interesting.

So, basically there isn't one out there yet.

Thanks for the reply!

251

Gear Talk / Re: Inflatables-Isle, Tower, Elevate OR ?

« on: August 10, 2017, 09:59:44 PM »

I don't think I got an answer to a couple of questions unless I missed them.

First one being
the stability factors. Do these have a primary and secondary stabilization like sea kayaks do?

Second one
Longevity to expect from the board? Especially since it'll be a Red Paddle.

Third
Kinda goes with two
Will all the folding and unfolding take its toll on the seams etc?

I may just start a new thread on these questions since the main reason for this thread has pretty much been resolved.

Btw, big thank you to all for the information given!!! Tremendous help.

252

Gear Talk / Re: Spring loaded fin for rocks/shallows/flatwater/rivers

« on: August 10, 2017, 02:25:47 PM »

You know, when I went to their page to copy the link, I noticed that and I could have sworn it wasn't there the last time I went to their page, LOL.  I wrote them an email about the fin and they wrote back that they are already working on better versions/ manufacturing techniques like injection molding for the base to make it stronger and a better shape for it to fit with the fin box better.  For example, the base that you see sits entirely outside of the fin box, with just the spring inside the box.  There are front and rear fin screws to hold it against the box.  So, you can attach it and if you don't check it, it can be slightly out of alignment with the board.  Now for me, whether I'm touring or taking up the rear in a race, whether I go super straight or not isn't going to make a difference!

I'm wondering if a shorter version would still be practical for those applications of really low water ways like the ones I use when sea kayaking. Luckily on my kayak the rudder pops up and onto the kayak via a rope system down the side which sits right next to my cockpit. When I'm exiting the area and want to use the rudder again, I just pull on the rope again.

253

Gear Talk / Re: Spring loaded fin for rocks/shallows/flatwater/rivers

« on: August 10, 2017, 10:31:37 AM »

Thanks for the link. I should've thought of that.

Btw, pretty sure they're aim wasn't strictly white water application since they mention,logs,rocks AND kelp. Just an fyi brudda.

254

Gear Talk / Re: Spring loaded fin for rocks/shallows/flatwater/rivers

« on: August 10, 2017, 10:00:35 AM »

2017 explorer red paddle 13'2"

255

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Re: Safety colors

« on: August 10, 2017, 08:15:56 AM »

Dude...your color blind ...that shirt is green...your hat is yellow 

Dude, I'll let you in on a secret. If you're trying to evaluate a color based on an image on
the web, you might as well be color blind In reality that color is referred to as Neon Yellow.

Dude's, the color is chartreuse...

OTFLMAO!!!