Help w 14 foot open water board board

[gcs]

Hello all:

Need help deciding on new board.  Would appreciate any input.  I'm 6 foot 200 lbs and often go out in breeze and messy chop on open water.  Been paddling for years and would say intermediate.  Currently occasionally  ride a 10'6 yolo board that I also use to surf.  Also have a 12'6 Riviera Voyager which is 12'6 and 32 wide and 280L.  Also have a Riviera RP 14 downwinder which is 14 x26.5 and 255L.  Have also owned a Yolo Predator 12'6 x 29 which was 300L but not as stable as you might think.  The touring board is super stable reasonable upwind and slow downwind.  No complaints it is what it is.  The downwinder is nice but I get bucked doff in side chop and sometimes catch a rail.  I don't like falling off especially in winter.  I can paddle about any board in calm conditions but like to be ready for less than perfect conditions (or if they turn that way).  So going to go for a wider 14 foot board but a lot of tourers are a bit too wide.  Want to be in the 28-30 inch width range.  Here is what I have narrowed it down to:

Yolo TR14   14, 29.5w and a 330L of volume.  I liked my predator 12'6.  This is essentially a 14 foot version of the prowler/predator but made of epoxy/fiberglass rather than carbon and weighs about 30 lbs  (can't locate any of the older used prowlers/predators)

Naish Glide in 29 or 30 inch width

SIC bullet - 27.5 width

Starboard touring board in 31 inch width (worried a bit too wide)

Also could get a wider race board I guess but would gave to go used as would like to keep price 1500-1800 max.

Leaning toward the Yolo because I live on Gulf and they have been good for me - have had several over the years with no issues.

Any thoughts and advice appreciated.

[PonoBill]

I'd look for an F14. A new one will be over your budget ($2700) unless a shop is having a clearance sale, but a used one should fit well. The only problem is finding one. I think the new ones are really rebranded Bullet 14 Wide. I borrowed one from SIC to do a ridiculously turbulent PPG distance race, and it saved my ass. I could stand while everyone around me was on their knees or in the water. Very stable and still reasonably fast. I got second in the 60 to dead class on the board. Of course, I think there were only a couple of geezers doing the race.

[TallDude]

If you can find an older Hobie 14' Elite like this one or similar, it'd work perfect for what you want. I've had mine for 7 years and it's still my go to in rough ocean paddling. It's 28" wide but carries more width through to the tail. It has a good amount of rocker which slows in in the flat water, but gives it stability and it surfs. The carbon elites like mine are very light. I think the veneer ones are lighter too.

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/spo/d/hobie-14x28-race-touring/6738885582.html

[oceanAddict]

I'm about the same in size as you  (5 11 3/4; 205) and recently got a used 2017 Infinity Blackfish for the similar condition you describing. Open water (Broad Sound / Boston harbor), distance paddling.   Happy as a clam. The first day I took it out was a chop and side wind, I could not wipe a grin off my face, it so stable I could not believe my eyes. It's light too, not sure if it's important to you, but I really wanted to have a lighter board. It feels wider than it is, and stable and goes straight even with rail submerged. I would buy this board again without any hesitation.   

[robon]

In your budget.

Boardworks Great Bear 14 X 29. Shape has been refined since first version and original shape did well in rough conditions, and the new outline looks better.

Infinity wide-Aquatic Tour.

You could look for a wide version in a starboard allstar hybrid. I have seen these marked down.

NSP has a new Coco carbon touring board that is 14 x 30.

I have a Naish Glide V3 and love it, but it's heavy. Still my favourite Glide shape out of the bunch. Naish nailed it with the V3. Sometimes a the wood V3 pops up at shops and is a couple, three pounds lighter than the Epoxy and is usually marked way down because it's discontinued. It's worth it.

[paddlejones]

TD
Great find...
I had one of the hobie 14’ boards for a few years. Beyond stable. That is a steal, I bought an infinity 12/6 tour board 2 months ago or i’d drive the 8 hours and pick that up.

[nalu-sup]

I just helped my brother in law in picking out a SIC FX 14 Tour. They are currently on sale on the SIC web site for 40% off at $1199. It is a heavy construction, but has the 30" stability you are looking for, and looks like a good all round design for flat water, chop, and maybe some downwind.

[TallDude]

My neighbor has that SIC FX 14 Tour, and it's like the Riviera Voyager in 14' but a better shape. He's a beginner so it's all about not falling into the water when you start out It is a heavier construction than most the SIC's.   

[rbgar]

https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,34155.0.html


got you written all over it

[gcs]

Thanks so much for all the thoughtful responses.  Plenty to think about.  Also putting Fanatic Ray 14 in the mix if I can find one - a little lighter than the others too.

[DavidJohn]

I’m your size and I love my 14x 29” Glide.. It would be a perfect choice IMO

[JEG]

as you described board choice, I agree with DJ with the Naish Glide in 29 wide.

[gcs]

Based on what is available I have narrowed it down to these two that can be had about the same price.  A Naish Glide gtw 29.5, or the SIC twc x-14 at 28.5.  I suspect the Naish will be better in the rougher stuff and the SIC faster in the calmer stuff.  The SIC is about 3-4 lbs heavier.  Honestly think I would really enjoy either one.  Help me make the call lol.  Thanks again for everyone's input.

[Area 10]

If those are your choices, get the Naish.

I have an X14 and love it. But you need the SCC construction one. The TWC version is very heavy and it affects the performance too much.

[burchas]

The Naish will be the better call imo.