inflatable 9-10 ft help

[55NSup]

So I took a short vacation to the Silver coast of Portugal with 8 yr boy and wife. Stayed at obidos lagoon at Foz do Arelho. Beautiful flat water spot, small waves in lagoon opening and monster waves ( same week Nazare went off) outside. No SUP rentals, everyone closed. Boy and I wanted to explore the lagoon, but no luck.

Down at Baleal I tried an RRD 10 ft inflatable in the choppy shore break with no success.
I paddle a All wave 9-2 at home in similar chop and dont have problems.  but found the flexy soft feeling really difficult.

Still, attractive thought to have a board for travel...so research back home tells me a Red 9-2 or Surf 10 or a ULI Lopez 10 are the choices.
Red has those battens ( hate that spongy feel)  but Uli has the wiki rail.
Anyone ridden both?  Any significant differences? 
im 80 kg, want to ride small waves and be able to explore around a bit.

[JimK]

Since you already have a Fanatic connection I HIGHLY recommend you back to them and check out the 2014 Fanatic Inflatables. They are as close I have found to hard board performance and I'm a BIG guy The Premiums feel the best for me but maybe you'll like the STD (Blue/Wht) and everyone seems to ike the 6" thks best

Good Luck and have fun
JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

[upwinder]

We have a 10' Hobie that is quite good for lighter players, my wife and kids really enjoy it but it's too soft for me at 125kg.

In looking for an inflatable for myself I tried everything available where I am, including Hobie, Starboard, Naish, Uli and Red. The ULi and Red were the standouts for stiffness and performance. There's a bit of a weight penalty with the Uli and Red construction but they are SO much better IMO. I bought the Red.

[spookini]

55N, I'll 2nd what upwinder said... i own a Red and the inflation psi and stiffening battens sold me.  Though the new 2014 Fanatic inflatables look pretty nice also.  (The Red does have rubber fins vs. real finboxes, a negative perhaps if your'e picky about your fins.)  You're correct that having a board you can deflate and toss around in the parking lot w/o fear of dings is a great feeling.

[Green Water Sports]

Hi 55NSup,

You may want to also consider the 9'6" All Water by Red Paddle Co. It'll be much nicer for general cruising and the smaller waves. The 9'2" Surf Star is very wave oriented with its narrow tail vs the wider and extra stable tail of the 9'6". It also has the RSS battens for added rigidity. Red Paddle boards inflate to an industry leading 25psi and feature double the amount rail protection. Like upwinder said, there may be a small weight penalty for the seriously bomb proof construction, but the added psi and rigidity mean the board doesn't drag or sap your paddle strength when out riding. Which more than makes up for any weight.

9'6" http://greenwatersports.com/shop/red-paddle-co-9-6-all-water

Julian

[TEX_SUP]

Red Paddle boards inflate to an industry leading 25psi

Julian

Do they use the industry standard pump and valve configuration?  If so, how exactly do you get them to 25 psi?

Only asking because I have two inflatables and it is a pain just to get them to 15 psi.

[Green Water Sports]

Hi TEX_SUP,

Red Paddle Co use the standard twist to lock nozzle and push and turn valve. The pump is a thinner cylinder meaning more weight over a smaller area aids in getting higher pressure. Think stand up bicycle pump.

See it here: http://www.redpaddleco.com/2012/10/the-ezee-pump-hp/

There is certainly a technique involved in getting to the higher pressure on the standard pumps. I can get to 20PSI on the standard pump - the last 5PSI is the hard part.

Julian

[JoeK]

55NSup

Don't know if you've seen this thread on the Red Paddle 9 6 all water. I'm a definite fan.

http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=21695.msg217397#msg217397

[spookini]

I can get to 20PSI on the standard pump -

Julian,  if you are getting 20 PSI with the standard pump, pls keep your cardiologist on speed-dial.  Kevlar underpants might be a good idea also (safeguard against complete herniation )

[TEX_SUP]

I can get to 20PSI on the standard pump -

Julian,  if you are getting 20 PSI with the standard pump, pls keep your cardiologist on speed-dial.  Kevlar underpants might be a good idea also (safeguard against complete herniation )

I would like to see the video of someone using a standard pump on a 12'6 touring inflatable going from empty to 20 psi in one pumping session.

[upwinder]

I can get to 20PSI on the standard pump -

Julian,  if you are getting 20 PSI with the standard pump, pls keep your cardiologist on speed-dial.  Kevlar underpants might be a good idea also (safeguard against complete herniation )

I get to 22 with the standard pump 

[JimK]

Guys do it the EASY way... Get an ELECTRIC PUMP!

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

[capobeachboy]

My advice is paddle & surf as many as you can AND put the manufacturers pump on the board at full pressure and see how it works.  Thats a bummer getting to a great spot like that and not having a decent board.  Let us know where you are located and maybe you can arrange a demo from a shop or zoner.  

[Green Water Sports]

Julian,  if you are getting 20 PSI with the standard pump, pls keep your cardiologist on speed-dial.  Kevlar underpants might be a good idea also (safeguard against complete herniation )

Spookini, it's a workout, but I get it there.

[Green Water Sports]

I would like to see the video of someone using a standard pump on a 12'6 touring inflatable going from empty to 20 psi in one pumping session.

TEX_SUP, the 12'6" Explorer would need a fair few pump strokes! I timed myself with the 10'6" Ride and the 10" Surfer.

4min47sec for the 10'6" Ride to 20PSI. No pause other than shifting pump footing and pulling up my pants. No video, but article here: http://greenwatersports.com/1293/red-paddle-co-106-inflatable-sup-review

3min56sec for the 10' Surfer to 20 PSI, which includes a pause for the RSS battens, no video, but article here: http://greenwatersports.com/2043/review-of-the-red-paddle-co-10-surfer-inflatable-sup

If you want a video of a no pause pump up, I could arrange one for my next review. Which will hopefully be a 2014 12'6" race board as they should be along soon. I'll try to get any 2014 Red Paddle Co info to Zoners as soon as I can. Also keep an eye on http://greenwatersports.com/news for any info that comes to hand about Red Paddle Co 2014 and their model line up.