Messages

16

Gear Talk / Re: Need help: flatwater hard boards for long-distance racing/touring

« on: September 07, 2018, 05:27:04 AM »

A friend ordered one last week and will get it October / November 18.

I see. Seems to be currently out of stock in Europe.

17

Gear Talk / Re: Need help: flatwater hard boards for long-distance racing/touring

« on: September 07, 2018, 03:42:07 AM »

In the last two days I was able to test the RS 14x23 extensively. Unfortunately not in flat conditions, but in wind and wave. Wind was initially about 4 bft, on the second day a little less. The waves during the first day were big enough to get some nice glides.
The board is very stable for me, as long as the waves are not exactly from the side. From the front, back, diagonal, no problem. Side waves reduce my speed massively, because then I have to brace a lot, so as not to fall into the water.
It feels really light compared to a 14x24.5 or 14x26. Accelerates well. I think for flat water it will be a good board for me.
I have tested the 14x24.5 under the same conditions, but it is too similar to the 14x26.
As a one for all solution I would take the 14x24.5. But since I already have the 14x26, the 14x23 will be a good addition for flat conditions.
I order as soon as the Nelo is sold.

Thanks a lot Mr. Proper. It is great to know that the board has enough volume and is stable enough for you. Now I am even more looking forward to the 21.5" version. I also found it unbelievably light in my hands.
BTW, a retailer told me that the RS 14'x23" will not be deliverable till Sep 20. Is the situation similar in Austria?

18

Gear Talk / Re: Toothpick, ultra narrow tippy race boards. What would you want to know ?

« on: September 05, 2018, 01:35:58 AM »

I paddled a 2019 SB Sprint 14'x21.5" at the weekend for ca. 1 km and found that I could not apply a powerful stroke. Did you experience something similar during you first couple of minutes? How much did it improve after 6 hours of paddling? Could you paddle the Sprint as hard as your All Star at the end?

I found that I could on completely flatwater (with the occasional wobble if I applied a poor stroke) but as soon as i got onto choppier stuff, no. However, i found playing with fin choice helps massively and the faster you can go, the more stable the board becomes. I think a board of this width for me can't just be hopped on after a long layoff or infrequent use like most boards but if i stuck with it, I think with a winters work I'd be ok. However, I'd be more inclined to play safe and opt for the 23 width.

That is good to know! BTW, a fellow paddler (~190cm, 90kg) of mine recently switched from a 2018 14'x24.5" All Star to a 2019 14'x23" Sprint and is happy about it. He is a frequent contestant at the 11 City Tour.

19

Gear Talk / Re: Toothpick, ultra narrow tippy race boards. What would you want to know ?

« on: September 04, 2018, 04:34:26 AM »

I paddled a 2019 SB Sprint 14'x21.5" at the weekend for ca. 1 km and found that I could not apply a powerful stroke. Did you experience something similar during you first couple of minutes? How much did it improve after 6 hours of paddling? Could you paddle the Sprint as hard as your All Star at the end?

20

Gear Talk / Re: Toothpick, ultra narrow tippy race boards. What would you want to know ?

« on: September 04, 2018, 03:33:23 AM »

Thanks a lot Bryce for the informal yet informative chat.
https://www.supboardermag.com/2018/09/04/are-narrow-race-boards-nuts-race-dr-bryce-dyer/

21

Gear Talk / Re: Need help: flatwater hard boards for long-distance racing/touring

« on: September 01, 2018, 04:24:34 AM »

Mr. Proper, would you also try the new 14x21.5 RS when it comes out? I am curious how it would perform in flat water.

Surely I will try it out of curiosity. But I will definitely not buy it. Even the 14x23 could be too narrow for me. At least the recommended maximum riders weight I'm already over it. Therefore, more for my wife ;-)
The 14x24.5, is too similar to the 14x26, so the 14x23 could be nice.

The guy who let me paddle his 14x23 RS also mentioned that he is a few kgs too heavy for it. He is about 190cm and 85kg as I gauge.
BTW what is the maximum rider weight for the 14x23 RS? I could not find it on the official site.
https://www.storesicmaui.com/boards/displacement-hull/14-0-rs-x23-0.html

22

Gear Talk / Re: Need help: flatwater hard boards for long-distance racing/touring

« on: September 01, 2018, 04:06:01 AM »

But I guess that everyone needs to exceed their limits in order to find out where their limits are. So why not get one? If you are very young, very light, or very talented, you’ll have no problem on it at all. Or if you are a very determined, wobbly oldster who paddles alone in sheltered water, you might also get away with it. If however none of these things apply to you, you may want to take a deep breath before ordering.

I will surely try it out if I get the chance, maybe after spending a substantial amount of time on a 14x23 RS first. But before that, it would be interesting to know other people's experiences.

23

Flatwater and Touring / Re: NELO is in for the games with Light Signature Race

« on: September 01, 2018, 03:49:57 AM »

To get back on thread, I have recently been given the chance to test both Nelo's.

Nice. Then you would be able to compare their Signature 2.0 to the SB Sprint 14'x21.5". I would be particularly interested in the performance of the GT.

24

Gear Talk / Re: Need help: flatwater hard boards for long-distance racing/touring

« on: August 31, 2018, 02:01:52 PM »

Mr. Proper, would you also try the new 14x21.5 RS when it comes out? I am curious how it would perform in flat water.

25

Gear Talk / Re: Need help: flatwater hard boards for long-distance racing/touring

« on: August 30, 2018, 03:45:47 AM »

A fellow paddler of mine tried out a 2019 SB All Star 14'x23.5" yesterday and found it more tippy than his 2019 SB Sprint 14'x23". He attributed the instability of the All Star primarily to the reduced tail width (14.4" vs 15.8") and the higher standing area. Said he would go for a 24.5" wide All Star instead.
Unfortunately I couldn't joint the ride. Still it sounds awkward to me for an all-water board and a flat-water board of similar width from the same brand.

26

Gear Talk / Re: Ultimate hydration pack suggestions? What do you use?

« on: August 29, 2018, 12:46:40 AM »

Lake, I missed your question. Sorry. It does have some bunnies you can use for a leash.

Thanks a lot Ian! It is great to know that!

27

Gear Talk / Re: Ultimate hydration pack suggestions? What do you use?

« on: August 29, 2018, 12:44:06 AM »

I looked for  quite  a while  and  got the Osprey Syncro 3.

https://www.osprey.com/us/en/product/syncro-3-SYNCRO3A_543.html

I've used Osprey packs for a while and really like this one. Straps are thin but comfortable, 2.5L bladder and a pocket that will hold my iphone and a couple  of gels.  it also has the magnetic holder on the chest strap so the hose never moves while paddling.   I've dunked it a couple of times, just give it a fresh water  rinse and  good as new.

Thanks 10generation for sharing. The Osprey Syncro 3 does look like a nice backpack. I was surprised to find out that they discontinued it in Europe. How do you like the Osprey Viper 3? Their specifications are quite similar.

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Gear Talk / Re: Need help: flatwater hard boards for long-distance racing/touring

« on: August 27, 2018, 01:52:59 AM »

its fun to paddle fast  but not fun when its unstable to paddle 

I agree. I would take it for touring though, just for the excellent glide.

29

Gear Talk / Re: Need help: flatwater hard boards for long-distance racing/touring

« on: August 26, 2018, 01:47:44 PM »

Today I had the opportunity to set my feet on two boards: a 2017 Sprint 14'x21.5" and a brand-new 2019 Sprint 14'x23", in a narrow river with 2---3 kph flow.
As Eagle already mentioned in this thread, the 21.5" was one step tippier than the AS 23" that I tried some time ago. I managed to stay dry while drafting a fellow paddler who was on the 23". The glide was absolutely amazing but frequently making small direction adjustments to follow the paddler ahead was not easy for me.
I found the new 23" less stable than the SIC RS 23" that I paddled last Sun. The owner tried to explain to me how messy it could be at a mass start like the one in the 11 City Tour and started accelerating (he is a ~90kg power machine). We went head to head for a few meters before the wake sent me swimming. Definitely made his point.
I do not think I will race with a Sprint any time soon but paddling it is quite some fun, well, as long as I am not drafting. I was advised not to try any pivot turn due to the width of the river so I will have to wait for the next time.

30

Gear Talk / Re: Need help: flatwater hard boards for long-distance racing/touring

« on: August 20, 2018, 01:46:27 PM »

Nice!  Good to see the RS23 working out.  Sounds like a solid design if more stable than the AS23.  Mark seems to have found the right formula again. 

Unfortunately I don't have access to that AS23 anymore. Otherwise it would be interesting to do a head-to-head comparison.