Author Topic: Red vs SIC vs ULI 12'6" iSUP - Which to get?  (Read 6429 times)

10generation

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Red vs SIC vs ULI 12'6" iSUP - Which to get?
« on: August 16, 2015, 02:15:40 PM »
I'm looking to buy another inflatable SUP.  Currently looking at a 12'6", but if there is a 14' I'm missing, I'd be interested.

Want something that paddles well, is fast but stable.

I've narrowed my search down to the three models listed in the subject line.  They seem relatively comparable in that they all have high PSI, good reputations, and a strong track record.

Hoping someone has owned one or more of these and can give current real world feedback.

I'll be using the board for a mix of flat water (inside long beach - naples, CA) and on the ocean (I often paddle from my boat around catalina island).  My priorities are stiffness (hate the flex you sometimes get on an inflatable), stability, and speed.  I weigh 220 and have been paddling for a while.

I'm looking for a 27-30" board, 26" would probably be too much for me, learned a while ago that I'm much happier having stability and being able to paddle well in ocean chop.

Ideas, opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Links to the specific boards are below:

https://www.uliboards.com/product/126-race#prettyPhoto

http://www.sicmaui.com/air-glide-x-12-6/

http://redpaddleco.com/usa/board/126″-race/#.VdD8aem7Fbx


Thanks very much!

Green Water Sports

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Re: Red vs SIC vs ULI 12'6" iSUP - Which to get?
« Reply #1 on: August 16, 2015, 03:27:02 PM »
Hi 10generation,

You've shortlisted some top notch boards. Don't know much about the new SIC but the specs look solid. Usual suspects are Red and Uli. I have paddled the 2014 12'6" Race a bunch (30") and they have dropped to 28" this year to better fit the name and to distance itself from the new 11' Sport. Upgraded fin, wheeled bag and Titan pump also round out the big changes for 2015.

Red's 12'6 Race is super stiff and the RSS battens add another 30% stiffness as the work to spread the load of the paddler over a larger area. Quad layer rails aid in stiffness as the material is down the vertical plane rather than horizontal. Central stiffening strap, forward grab handles, weed/race fin, nose runner fin top and bottom for tracking and shedding water to name a few more features.

I usually paddle my 8'5" carbon SUS or 10'6" Red Ride so paddling the Race is a huge step up in tracking, glide and speed. It's super stiff even in the ocean chop i've had to navigate at times but it handles and glides well. Weight wise, i'm about 190lbs so with the combo of width reduction and your 220lbs, i think the board would sit more solid in the water for you. For me it felt like I was on top of the water a bit much in the chop. In the flats, it's pretty quick to paddle.

The only board I don't have a walk around video for, but more info is here: http://greenwatersports.com/shop/red-paddle-co-12-6-race

Julian
Julian
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Green Water Sports LLC - Inflatable SUP boards & stand up paddle boards & more. Call us on 1-888-252-4983
Red Paddle Co, Starboard, SIC Maui, Tahe, Naish, Fanatic, Accent Paddles, Onyx, FCS, Vamo

10generation

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Re: Red vs SIC vs ULI 12'6" iSUP - Which to get?
« Reply #2 on: August 16, 2015, 07:13:22 PM »
Thanks very much.  What do you think of the nose runner?  Does it really help?

Have not seen any SUP with that feature, like the concept but not sure anything extra on the bottom of the board is a good thing?

Thanks again for the detailed response.

Off-Shore

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Re: Red vs SIC vs ULI 12'6" iSUP - Which to get?
« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2015, 08:08:49 PM »
The only 14' I'd recommend having a demo on is the RPC 14' Elite Race.  It is 26" wide but feels more like 28". It is my favourite iSUP and I take on most trips. It will be better for your weight too.
SB 9' x 33' x 4.1" - RPC 9'8" iSUP - SB All-Star 12'6" - Blue Planet Bump Rider 14 - SB Ace 14 x 27 - RedAir 14' Elite Race - SIC Bullet 14v1 TWC - SICMaui F16v3 Custom

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HksupaHk_SUP_and_Downwinding

levity

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Re: Red vs SIC vs ULI 12'6" iSUP - Which to get?
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2015, 08:40:54 PM »
I'm looking to buy another inflatable SUP.  Currently looking at a 12'6", but if there is a 14' I'm missing, I'd be interested.

Uli lists a 14'x27"x6" race board:  https://www.uliboards.com/product/14-race

They also make custom boards now (at least up to 12'6"), so you might call and ask it they can do a custom 14' if you want something wider.

Their boards are pretty rigid because of their of double-skin construction, kevlar reinforcement/protection strips, and ability to take high pressure.
They may have a demo locally in a size close enough to give you an idea of how it works.

PSW in Costa Mesa now carries some of the Red boards, and they also arrange demo's for some boards.
They list the 14'x26":  https://www.paddlesurfwarehouse.com/red-paddle-co-12-6-elite-race-inflatable-paddle-board-491.html
as well as the 12'6"x28":  https://www.paddlesurfwarehouse.com/red-paddle-co-12-6-race-inflatable-paddle-board.html

Green Water Sports

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Re: Red vs SIC vs ULI 12'6" iSUP - Which to get?
« Reply #5 on: August 17, 2015, 09:42:52 AM »
Thanks very much.  What do you think of the nose runner?  Does it really help?

Have not seen any SUP with that feature, like the concept but not sure anything extra on the bottom of the board is a good thing?

Thanks again for the detailed response.

I think it does help a little. Inflatables will always have rounded rails and noses, it is just part of the construction. Sea Eagle and Core have found a few ways to deal with it with displacement style noses but they add weight and rigid parts that don't pack down as well. The nose runner on the bottom certainly adds grip to the nose and as with every board you can control the tracking/nose grip by your position on the board. The 2014 model did not have the shedder fin on top but I can see how it would split the water and help the board in chop for sure.
Julian
https://greenwatersports.com
Green Water Sports LLC - Inflatable SUP boards & stand up paddle boards & more. Call us on 1-888-252-4983
Red Paddle Co, Starboard, SIC Maui, Tahe, Naish, Fanatic, Accent Paddles, Onyx, FCS, Vamo

10generation

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Re: Red vs SIC vs ULI 12'6" iSUP - Which to get?
« Reply #6 on: August 25, 2015, 11:56:01 PM »
Think I'm leaning toward the Red 12'6".  Not sure if the 30" 2014 or the 28" 2015 would be better for my usage, weight, etc.

Opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 


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