A progression of my race boards over the past 5 years..

[TallDude]

I don't know why but every time I get a new race board, I have someone snap a photo of me with it in front of my house. It's interesting to see how the designs have evolved. Each board was sort of cutting edge, and I think continues to be so. My first board was borrowed from CapoBeachBoy, who has been evolved with surfing and racing SUP from the beginning. He introduced me to this addiction, and watched me stick the SUP needle in my arm. I only have a photo with me on the ULI.

[TallDude]

BTW, the last one is the lightest and fastest.....

[stoneaxe]

Beautiful mix of boards. Your board looks pretty sick...can almost tell by looking at it that it's faster. If I had to guess the speeds of them by looking at these pics I'd say yours, then the Hobie 18' 2010, then Hobie 18' 2011.
What's the stability comparison been like for them?

[pdxmike]

TallDude--I always love seeing your posts about unlimited boards--wish more people had them.  These photos are great to see.   The new board really does look fast and must be especially satisfying being your own creation.  Hope you have another 50 years of these photos coming.  

I told gorgebob I was wishing I was on an unlimited the last couple miles at Round the Rock.  I was thinking if I used an unlimited next year, the extra speed would mean I could cut the final 10 minutes or so off my time, which were tough for me.  He said "Either that or just paddle faster".  

[TallDude]

Stone, actually the 2010 Hobie was kind of dog. It was 25" wide, but really hard rails the length of it which made super stable and slow. Plus it had too much rocker. My 2011 Hobie was 29" wide with had a round bottom like a surfski, so it was faster but tippy. The 36# weight and windage was it's major flaws.

PDX, I've decided to race my 14' at the BOP. My new unlimited is just too tippy in the ocean chop for me to maintain any sort of cadence. I did the course on it yesterday. 10 miles in 1 hour 51 mins. Surfs nice, but I counted my strokes between bracing and it averaged between 5 and 10. I got wet about 4 times too. We've had some really high tides causing a lot of refractive chop. It's like boat running along side you the whole race. I'm not going to win or even place, so I'll just race my 14' along side my brother on his 14'. I doubt I'll have more the a handful of brace strokes the entire race, and have a lot more fun!