12'6" Race Board Reviews: Bark Competitor, Mitcho (Jamie Mitchell), Hobie Elite

[Argosi]

Here's an interesting review of the Surftech versions of the Bark and Mitcho boards:

http://supglobal.com/stand-up-paddle/reviews/209-review-of-the-surftech-12ft-6q-mitcho-and-bark-competitor-12ft-6.html

While I expected to see that the Bark was much more stable since it's 29 inches wide with a square tail vs the 27 inch wide Mitcho with pintail), I was surprised to read that the Bark was also faster in flat water, no wind based on GPS readings.

That goes against the expectation that narrower boards and pin tails would be faster. They both have pointy noses.

I suspect that the extra stability of the Bark allowed the tester to focus more on moving forward rather than staying on the board.

However, once the tester got more comfortable on the narrower board, his speed on it might improve.

As another data point, here's a video review of the Bark vs the 12'6" Hobie Elite:
http://www.paddleboardspecialists.com/info_blog.asp
They found the carbon Hobie faster in flatwater but the heavier Bark had better glide. The Bark was better in downwind conditions.

While it may not be the fastest 12'6", seems like the Bark is a very versatile board for racing and downwinders.

[greatdane]

I have heard no one who has ever paddled the competitor have anything negative to say about it... seems like one of the best "all-around" boards out there right now...

I talked to Joe Bark last winter and they had just got done flat-water testing it against several other brands...  looks like very similar data in this test too...  I'd like to try the 14' Competitor!

[Jim S]

Is the 14' Dominator the stretched out 12'6" Competitor?

[joemosq]

Shane,

The 14' Surftech Bark Dominator is pretty much a larger paddlers version of the 12'6".  It is very similar in the design and hull shape.  The 14' is 1/2" thicker than the 12'6" and the 14" is 1.5" narrower than the 12'6". Don't let the narrow width full you though, the 14 is still a really stable board that works in a lot of conditions.

Dims 12'6" Surftech Bark Competitor - 29w x 6.5" thick

Dims 14' Surftech Bark Dominator - 27.5W x 7" thick

[Jim S]

Thanks! I'm getting one next SUP season.
Next season meaning that ski season is coming up.