Messages

16

Gear Talk / Re: Red Paddle's 2014 Race vs. 2015 Sport???

« on: June 16, 2015, 06:06:00 PM »

As far as I know the ULI boards can handle the same pressures as the red boards.  I run mine at 20 psi.  I use the electric pump to get to 15 psi and then use the ULI pump to top off at 20 PSI.  The kevlar strips on the ULI boards help stiffen them.  ULI charges the same for a custom boards as for an off the shelf board.  Somewhere between $1000 - $1500. Like them on facebook and you will see if they have a sale.  Sometimes they run 20% off everything, or no tax sales.  When I checked with them custom boards took about a week to make. 

I am not connected with ULI, so not positive on the info. 

Have fun, Jill

17

Gear Talk / Re: Red Paddle's 2014 Race vs. 2015 Sport???

« on: June 15, 2015, 08:54:25 PM »

I know you asked about the Red boards, but I think you should look into a custom ULI. At your size they could make a 4" or 5" board and it will be more nimble than what you have. I have a 12'6" x 26" x 4" and my husband has a 12'6" x 28" x 5", love these boards and neither is bothered by wind.

Have fun, Jill

18

Gear Talk / Re: Need help with board size

« on: May 14, 2015, 08:14:41 PM »

What about the Lahui Kai 11'6" x 29" . That is a really nice board, and I think they ship for free.

Have fun out there. Jill

19

SUP General / Re: Upgrade board for my wife - questions about volume - [first post!]

« on: May 14, 2015, 06:53:00 PM »

I agree that the 14' x 25" Sprint is a nice fast stable board. I had one and loved the speed, husband did not like me on it though, so had to trade that one for the 12'6" to keep everyone happy.

My concern though is if she wants to race. Guys can race whatever they want but even here in So. Cal there is basically no 14' class for women. Even if a few women show up with 14' boards they are not competitive. When I had a 14' board sometimes I had to race in the men's division. If you are not concerned with racing  a 14' would be nice.

Jill

20

SUP General / Re: Upgrade board for my wife - questions about volume - [first post!]

« on: May 14, 2015, 08:11:31 AM »

Ok, I will try and take a stab at this.  I am a 5'7" female 110 lbs, very active but probably much older than your wife, I am 51.  I have been paddling for about 4 years and paddle flatwater and open ocean. Here is my experience.

If she has any plans on racing, even recreationally she needs to have a 12'6" is her quiver. Sure some races will have a 14' womens class but no one will be in that class. Can she keep up with you on a 14'? I really feel a 14' will be faster than a 12'6" but recreationally the speed difference is very little.  Not like she is on a mountain bike and you are on an S-works road bike. She may have to work a little harder but this will only make her faster in the races. Best training I get is when my husband paddles an OC1, you have to work your butt off on the 12'6" just to keep an OC1 in sight.  I paddle a 12'6" x 25.5 Starboard Sprint and my husband paddle a Hobie 14' x 26.5", no problem staying together. Another trick she should learn is how to draft.  This will help her a lot for races and will make paddling together even better.  If she gets a little tired she can just tuck in behind you and take a break.  When I draft my husband my biggest worry is not running into him (he hates that).

As to what board she should be on. Sure I would like to say a 12'6" x 25" but the problem is I think it may be too big of a jump for her. She needs to move down more gradual than that. What happens on a tippy board is she will lose all her form and start worrying about balance. My suggestion is if you can find a nice carbon 12'6" x 27", low volume or sunken deck get her that. On of my favorite boards of all time was the old Naish Catalina, 12'6" x 27" super sunken deck.  That thing was perfect for small women. Once she starts moving to a narrower board I think you need to be aware of volume. Narrow boards tend to be thick to support guys that ride them. She needs a low volume board or a sunken deck. I ride the Starboard Sprint which has no volume and it is stable as a rock on flatware. I find those Fanatic boards just have way to much volume. Feel free to PM me or send me a direct email if she has anymore questions.

Also get her a nice lightweight paddle.  I use a ZRE or QB V-drive 81, both are small and super lightweight.

Have fun, Jill

21

SUP General / Re: Wife in Kayak...me on SUP

« on: April 30, 2015, 09:47:06 PM »

First let me say that at 155 you could be on a much smaller 12'6". Also a longer board never seems to help me going upwind, downwind yes but not at a slower upwind speed.

But what I really want to say is let her be faster for once. Use it as a work out but let her keep in front. think how she must always feel if she is in the back, just how you feel now. Guys always wonder why their wife or girlfriend does not want to go out with them. Bingo! Just had to get that off my chest. Go have fun and buy yourself a 12'6" x 26". You will do fine

22

Gear Talk / Re: Surftech Universal 10'6"---good price?----opinions wanted

« on: March 19, 2015, 10:56:46 AM »

SeaMe. Try it you might love it!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

23

Gear Talk / Re: Surftech Universal 10'6"---good price?----opinions wanted

« on: March 19, 2015, 08:48:44 AM »

Ok, go with 30" wide.  You will do fine.  I am not a salesperson or any way shape or form associated with ULI except I have one and my husband has one.  But really consider getting a custom ULI before you purchase a RED.  Capodiscoboy is a rep for ULI and can help you out.  They will make you anything you want in about 7 days.  So say you want the touring board but in 11' x 30 full deck pad at 4" thick they will do that.  Or heck go 5" thick.  My advice is not to go over 5" thick.  I know everyone will say 6" is stiffer, but when the inflatable is made correctly 5" is plenty.  Especially at your weight.

But I have to say that Surftech flowmast seems to be perfect for you.  11'6" x 30" for $840.  Cannot go wrong there.

Jill

24

Gear Talk / Re: Surftech Universal 10'6"---good price?----opinions wanted

« on: March 19, 2015, 08:05:54 AM »

OK, got it.  How did we get on the idea that you were in Cali!  Yep this does make it much more difficult for you. 

One thing I would really watch out for is the width.  At 5'4" female any board over 28" wide you will really start to notice the width.  Just hard to get that paddle vertical.  I would lean toward a narrower longer board rather than a short (under 11') board wide board.  This would also give your dog room to move around and get away from your paddle.  I have 2 race boards (ocean and flat water) and one custom ULI inflatable, and if I could only keep one it would be the ULI.  They really just really fun boards, sort of just changes your whole mindset of the paddle.  Mine has the wiki rail and when I travel on the freeway with it I just put that part up front.  I actually find that the inflatable travels on the car rack better than all my other boards. 

Here are my suggestions
ULI 12'6" x 28" x 4" thick with full deck pad, d-rings, and wiki rail.

Hard board suggestion, check out http://shop.surftech.com/CLOSEOUTS/Surftech/Surftech-1106-SUP-Flowmaster-Ylw
$850 and 11'6" x 30  with tie downs,  looks like it would work perfect.  Says they charge $75 shipping which is still great. 

I hope this helps.  Also remember the paddle.  Keep yours eyes out as I am going to be posting a KeNalu Kohini 85 paddle for sale here this afternoon.

Hope this helps, Jill

25

Gear Talk / Re: Surftech Universal 10'6"---good price?----opinions wanted

« on: March 19, 2015, 07:30:59 AM »

I have to agree that in Cali I would go for a used board or a custom ULI.  Where are you in Cali?  Male or Female?  Do you do any other sports?  Does your weight vary from 145 to 175 or are two different people using the board? And finally to you think you might race the board?

Cheers, Jill

26

Gear Talk / Re: Inflatables?

« on: October 06, 2014, 07:26:51 PM »

ULI makes custom inflatables that are fantastic.  I am 110 lbs and paddle a 12'6" x 26.5" x 4" thick, and love love love it.  I have attached pictures of me paddling the ULI with about 40 lbs of gear on it.  You are right about the inflatbable just being easier to handle.  Sometimes it is so nice to take the inflatable and not have to worry about the carbon board.  And with the ULI custom boards you can have the deck pad extended for the dog, add extra D-rings, or special handles.  If we had a fire in the garage, the one board I would save is my ULI! 

*I am not affliated with ULI, just a very happy customer.

Have fun!  Jill

27

SUP General / Re: Wavestorm for BOP

« on: September 29, 2014, 07:46:05 AM »

Do it!! 

Even if I had a nice carbon race board, I would use the wavestorm or an inflatable for the open race at Salt Creek.  Just go out there and have fun.

Cheers, Jill

28

Gear Talk / Re: Entry level race board recommendation...

« on: September 28, 2014, 08:07:18 PM »

Not sure of your size but I really think this plays in on the 14' race board decision.  For a guy the 14' class is stacked and super competitive.  If you are a smaller guy that is comfortable on a 12'6" board it may actually be easier to get on the podium with the 12'6" board.  Even though a 14' board is faster, you are competing only against other 14' boards. 

Paddle what you enjoy paddling and get out there and do some races for fun. 

Cheers, Jill

29

Ke Nalu / Re: Ke Nalu's New Konihi

« on: August 19, 2014, 08:15:53 PM »

Really difficult to tell from the pictures but it looks like the winglets on the Bote paddle are much larger than the Kenalu.  The winglets on the Konihi are very small, not sure you could even tell in a photo. 

I am really loving the Konihi. 

Cheers, Jill

30

Gear Talk / Re: Recommend a stable, not-too-heavy board for choppy river conditions please

« on: August 07, 2014, 07:55:13 PM »

Maybe I missed it, but what is your height and weight?  How long have you been sup'ing? 

For choppy conditions with boat wakes I would recommend the NSP/DC boards.  Get a board designed for rough conditions and you would be surprised how much less you fight the board. 

Cheers, Jill