Looking for a new inflatable

[Bryan]

Greetings,
Looking at replacing a Laird Hamilton 12.1' x 31.5" all-around with an inflatable.  I have a couple surf specific SUP's so I am looking at an inflatable for shallow river touring including swifts up to class 1, beach day fun with friends family and kids, and exploration.   Extra points if it can grab a small wave while doing the family beach thing.  I was looking at the Starboard Astro Blend and Drive but that plan fell through.  Looking at a ULI Lopez 10', Uli Steamroller 10', Red Ride 9.8' and Red 11' Sport.  I have an old C4 10'x30"x4" which floats me but bananas (15psi) and I find to not be stiff enough in waves or river features.  Another option would be a Naish 11'x30"x6" that my local shop has.

I am 5'11" and about 185lbs and paddle fresh water.

Any opinions?
Bryan

[capobeachboy]

ULI Lopez is a good call but the new 11' ULI Zettian Multisport is  great board too.  Both are 100mm (4")  thick and surf far better than the 6" thick boards, especially with the Wiki Rail option.

[flathead]

We have the Explorer. A fantastic board especially if you are looking to make distance in fairly flat water. The 10 6 is a more all round shape, is very stable and will I am sure float you well. If it is choppy where you plan to paddle this in my opinion will be a more fun board. The explorer will have side to side roll in chop and the other will rock along its length. This brand is one of the best in inflatables IMO.

[burchas]

Having experience with the brand, I would recommend the Red 11. They have quality boards with higher PSI than most brands, add the RSS battens to the mix, and you'll have quite a stiff board compare to any other inflatables.
Also, they come with this great Titan Pump that really makes life a lot easier. a board with this volume one can pump to 15 PSI under 2 minutes.

[Bryan]

Thanks for the replies so far.  The board would be used for everything from dead flat inland fresh water lakes for fun, exploration, wildlife photography, and fishing,  to running spring rain swollen rivers with swifts and the odd class 1, mini-shute or small drop, to shallow river touring with rocks, to beach days where multiple people and kids will use it and there maybe small waves, to exploring on lake Huron in choppy conditions.  I know not asking to much.  We already have a King Simsup 8'10" x 31", a Rusty 9'8" x 29"ish, a C4 inflatable 10' x 30" x 4", and a Bark Dominator (may sell it) on top of the Laird.  I had been thinking about getting a inflatable touring board later but had kind of been thinking of something in the 10' to 11' range and ideally around 31" for a mix of stability and efficiency. Zettian MultiSport had entered my thoughts after posting originally.  Is this board better with or without the Wiki rail.  Also they say the board comes in 4" or 4.75" but I do not see a choice under options.  Does anyone know how the board normally comes?  I want two inflatables so I can run rivers with my wife and friends.

[capobeachboy]

They make them in both thicknesses but for your weight I think you would be fine with the 4".  The paddlers that used this board at the Payette River Games all had the Wiki Rail (which is an option).  At first the river specialists didn't use it but it seems to be catching on for added stability and speed. I've been testing a 4" thick modeling he surf and it works great and I'm about your weight.

[SUPoftheday]

+1 for ULI Zettian Multisport. I have several ULIs including the 10' Lopez and I've been salivating about that Zettian. I've tried the Red 11. Excellent board for sure but if you're gonna surf it, go Zettian. Almost forgot to mention that I'm 5'8", 198.

[Bryan]

Once again thanks for your thoughts.  Any other opinions on the Red's?  Just asking as they are available right in Canada which saves on hassles and duty.   I am curious about how the 9'8" paddles?  It is an interesting size but not sure on how it would paddle with its shape.

[SUPoftheday]

If you simply can't do the Zettian, then the Red 11' is an excellent choice.  I personally like the shape of ULI's rails (D vs box) but the Red Sport is very stiff and a joy to paddle. 11' to 12'6" tour is a great range for a wide variety of activities although the 11 will be easier to manage in rivers and surf. 

[Green Water Sports]

Red 12'6" Explorer, 11 Sport, 10'6" or 10'8" Ride, Starboard Blend 11'2" or Touring 11'6" maybe even the Whopper 10' to name a few. Looks like you're on the right track.e

http://greenwatersports.com/shop/brand/red-paddle-co
http://greenwatersports.com/shop/brand/starboard

Rides and Blends might be better all rounders whereas the Touring and Sport will be nicer cruisers (deeper fin and more touring board outline.) 9'8" will be better on rapids and waves but not much of a cruiser.

"I had been thinking about getting a inflatable touring board later but had kind of been thinking of something in the 10' to 11' range and ideally around 31" for a mix of stability and efficiency. "

Maybe the 10'6"x32" Ride is a happy mix in this case?