Author Topic: Recommended FLAT WATER board  (Read 46364 times)

photofr

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Recommended FLAT WATER board
« on: February 05, 2018, 12:45:51 AM »
I have been out of the SUP world for a bit (got sick, moved up North of France, etc...)

Long story short, I'll be inland for 90% of the time. My goal is to train and stay in shape so that I can have a total blast during that other 10% of the time.

I am looking for a NEW 14' Flat Water board.
Can you help, and give me some feedback?
Is there a board (or boards) FOR FLAT WATER that you believe should definitely make the list?

My focus:
Glide
Speed
Lightweight

No a concern:
Stability

Ideas?
All ideas are welcomed.
My first thought is the Starboard Sprint 14x21.5 - but I am totally open to suggestions, and opened to ANY BRAND.


Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

burchas

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Re: Recommended FLAT WATER board
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2018, 06:09:54 AM »
What keeping you from the new Nelo Sup. They seem top notch in every way?

They based on your side of the pond so shouldn't be too hard to demo, right?
http://www.light-sup.com/light-nelo-signature-sup-race-hollow-construction.html

Hope you're all well.
in progress...

Bean

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Re: Recommended FLAT WATER board
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2018, 06:58:07 AM »
PF, what kind of paddling will the 10% consist of?

If you limiting yourself to one 14' board, it might make sense to select a board that will best handle the 10%. 

photofr

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Re: Recommended FLAT WATER board
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2018, 11:15:04 AM »
I have a Starboard Ace 14' and a surfski that I love for those 10% :)

For the 90%, it's gonna be all flat water - as in super flat water. I still want to enjoy the glide. Coming from a 17'6x23 Sprint, the Ace feel fun, but OMG - it's the opposite of "glide" until a boat goes by.

The Nelo board looks inviting.
You guys have any other suggestions?
Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

Eagle

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Re: Recommended FLAT WATER board
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2018, 11:40:31 AM »
For flat water get the 21.5 Sprint.  Plenty stable and plenty fast.  Did a full out sprint session and the board was stable.  Glides nice and feels quick.  Would be the board for me if we had flat water in the ocean.  But we get a lot of chop and wind and slop.  So not best suited -> whereas the AS23 is.  Easy decision for me that 21.5 Sprint for flat water.  Even a bit of small chop and wind fine as well.
Fast is FUN!   8)
Dominator - Touring Pintail - Bullet V2 - M14 - AS23

Area 10

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Re: Recommended FLAT WATER board
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2018, 12:47:57 PM »
That Nelo looks fast. It looks like they are claiming 7mph average over 1k for it. And the construction will presumably be far and away better than Starboard? Under 10kg...

yugi

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Re: Recommended FLAT WATER board
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2018, 01:18:21 PM »
I suppose all you suggesting Nelo to PhFr did take a peek at his signature?

If I recall correctly it was PhFr who first posted here Re Nelo SUPs.

I didn’t quite catch what he said but Alain Teurquetil had something to say regarding the Nelo SUP [during SupRacer vid of GlaGla race]. 

Sounds like Alain has made his latest flatwater shapes a bit flatter underfoot. Maybe to be able to go narrower. Maybe you can find a connection with NSP via the french team.

Interested to hear what you’ll pick and to hear feedback. Glad to hear you’re ready to get back on the water.
 

Area 10

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Re: Recommended FLAT WATER board
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2018, 01:31:11 PM »
:) Well, I wasn’t suggesting he gets one - I was suggesting it looks fast, and well-made. But I’m personally not sure about that nose, nor the wake from the tail. And the record of builders of other watercraft making boards that are useable in the real world by real people is pretty grim. So we’ll see...

photofr

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Re: Recommended FLAT WATER board
« Reply #8 on: February 05, 2018, 11:18:02 PM »
What keeping you from the new Nelo Sup. They seem top notch in every way?

They based on your side of the pond so shouldn't be too hard to demo, right?
http://www.light-sup.com/light-nelo-signature-sup-race-hollow-construction.html

Hope you're all well.

Trying one sounds easy, but still requires a 4 to 5 hour drive. Plus, to be fair, trying a board for an hour doesn't tell you jack. Here's an example:

In 2014, I bought a UL (17'6 x 23).
After buying it, I tried it.
My first impressions (after about an hour) was:
- It's super fast
- Almost too unstable (I even told myself that I would only use it on a pond or such - on a calm day).
- Nearly impossible to turn
- I most likely would not have bought it if I tried it first.

After a few sessions, you get used to it all. It was my favorite board for long distance, Ocean Paddling - in almost any conditions.

Lessons learned: You get some info when trying a new board, but it's still superficial - considering my needs. Therefore, I'd rather hear you guys feedback.

Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

photofr

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Re: Recommended FLAT WATER board
« Reply #9 on: February 05, 2018, 11:27:54 PM »
I suppose all you suggesting Nelo to PhFr did take a peek at his signature?

If I recall correctly it was PhFr who first posted here Re Nelo SUPs.

I didn’t quite catch what he said but Alain Teurquetil had something to say regarding the Nelo SUP [during SupRacer vid of GlaGla race]. 

Sounds like Alain has made his latest flatwater shapes a bit flatter underfoot. Maybe to be able to go narrower. Maybe you can find a connection with NSP via the french team.

Interested to hear what you’ll pick and to hear feedback. Glad to hear you’re ready to get back on the water.
 


Signature?
Yeah, sorry - I just changed it.
I used to rep Nelo surfskis - but I am FREE.

Either way, I am most interested in hearing feedback from any one - as long as it's honest. I don't care if you got a free board, or if you got a killer deal on it, or if you are sponsored - OR NOT.

I only care if it's honest feedback regarding a pure flat water board in the 14' range; one that's just plain fast - the one you got on and said to yourself: "that thing just GLIDES".

RECAP
There's the Starboard Sprint 14x21.5
There's the Nelo 14x23
There's got to be NSP, NAISH and a handful of other boards like the MISTRAL that are very well built for speed on flatwater, right?
Something that really stands out as fast, right?

Again, stability is really not a concern -
Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

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Re: Recommended FLAT WATER board
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2018, 01:52:47 AM »
custom? I'm getting 14x22 in next 6 weeks made.

FYI... 2018 sprint 21,5 has (to much) volume and much heavier than 2017 (based on some owners) .

Area 10

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Re: Recommended FLAT WATER board
« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2018, 02:09:46 AM »
Yeah, anyone who says “stability is not a concern” should probably be going custom. Production boards are built for the 99% of the population who are their customers, not the 1%. That statement is a “1% statement”. Lucky you. You might find the glide you are looking for in a really narrow UL board. 14ft is such a compromised length. But you know all this already.

Sorry to hear that you’ve been ill.

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Re: Recommended FLAT WATER board
« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2018, 05:10:29 AM »
Plus, to be fair, trying a board for an hour doesn't tell you jack...

In most cases, I would agree with the statement. However, you did specify it's purely
for Flat Water. IMO, that makes testing much more effective. Just slap a GPS on it and
see how it preforms and if you like how it handles.

Most likely you'll test it in Flat Water conditions so it should tell you all you need to know.
Whatever's left, you could probably make up in your head as you are a way more experienced
paddler than photofr circa 2014.

And just to touch on the custom board, it does sound like you are a perfect candid for one.
As area 10 suggested, production board are built for 99% of the population and if I recall
correctly you are in the 140LBS range... Not just preaching, my latest custom is actually
my dream board.
in progress...

photofr

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Re: Recommended FLAT WATER board
« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2018, 05:47:11 AM »
No one here to vouch on the efficiency of their dream board, or a board that they have used?

That leaves me with:
- Custom boards
- Nelo boards
- Sprint boards

CUSTOM
Yope, I can see where I would also benefit from a custom rig.
14x23 - needle nose - "fat" tail - somewhat round hull - ultra low volume - ultra light
What's affordable, what is available, and what brand to consider?

NELO
I am seriously leaning on that Nelo board 14x23.
Long lasting - well built - super light - cool looking (dare I say)

SPRINT
I would be leaning far more towards the 2017 than the 2018 - sadly.

Either way, there's a lot of pros and cons to consider. My dream board will be the perfect candidate to train and participate in my dream race - the 11-city Tour (about 200km race in Holland) - in 2018. The problem is that time is running out, so quickly.

In any case, thanks for the feedback. I'll pounder some more.
(the kid in me just wants to have fun)
Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

photofr

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Re: Recommended FLAT WATER board
« Reply #14 on: February 06, 2018, 05:48:54 AM »
Yeah, anyone who says “stability is not a concern” should probably be going custom. Production boards are built for the 99% of the population who are their customers, not the 1%. That statement is a “1% statement”. Lucky you. You might find the glide you are looking for in a really narrow UL board. 14ft is such a compromised length. But you know all this already.

Sorry to hear that you’ve been ill.

What board brand are you getting???
Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

 


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