Author Topic: Thin rails, not for surfing  (Read 24172 times)

spirit4earth

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Thin rails, not for surfing
« on: February 17, 2019, 11:01:07 AM »
Can anyone advise me on a board similar to a Sunova Search?  I love the thin rails on that board, but I need a less expensive option.  I like being being a little lower in the water, not bobbing too much, if you know what I mean.  Thanks in advance!

Area 10

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Re: Thin rails, not for surfing
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2019, 11:10:06 AM »
I know exactly what you mean, and I’m the same.

If you lived in Europe it would be easy. You’d get a Gong Perv, which comes in 10-6, 12-6 and 14 lengths (all 30” wide). They are surprisingly fast to paddle in pure flat water, given that they are surf-shape-like. And they are massively cheaper than the Sunovas.

But I’m guessing you aren’t in Europe, so this might be more of a challenge.


spirit4earth

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Re: Thin rails, not for surfing
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2019, 11:16:46 AM »
I know exactly what you mean, and I’m the same.

If you lived in Europe it would be easy. You’d get a Gong Perv, which comes in 10-6, 12-6 and 14 lengths (all 30” wide). They are surprisingly fast to paddle in pure flat water, given that they are surf-shape-like. And they are massively cheaper than the Sunovas.

But I’m guessing you aren’t in Europe, so this might be more of a challenge.

Area 10, thank you, but you’re right, I’m not in Europe.  I’m on the US east coast.  I’m going to look up those boards, though.

Area 10

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Re: Thin rails, not for surfing
« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2019, 12:30:30 PM »
Btw, what size do you want? Surftech make various boards aimed at flat water touring that have thin rails (e.g. the Chameleon TEKefx, or the Elemrnts tourer) and if you can find some on sale somewhere you might get a good price on one. The Bark boards in particular would be worth a look.

SIC make a surf-cruiser called the Saber, but I’m guessing that that will be rather expensive.

My 16ft custom has rails that are only 4.5” thick...

You pay quite a price for thin rails in terms of paddling speed. But IMO there’s more to paddling enjoyment than top speed.

Of the race boards, the Naish Maliko probably has some of the thinnest rails. That’s a lovely board to paddle. Definitely worth trying if you never have. Plenty around used, I should think. The 2018 is worth spending a bit more on.

Luc Benac

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Re: Thin rails, not for surfing
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2019, 01:57:11 PM »
+1 on the 2018 Naish Maliko
Sunova Allwater 14'x25.5" 303L Viento 520
Sunova Torpedo 14'x27" 286L Salish 500
Naish Nalu 11'4" x 30" 180L Andaman 520
Sunova Steeze 10' x 31" 150L
Blackfish Paddles

spirit4earth

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Re: Thin rails, not for surfing
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2019, 02:18:22 PM »
The Maliko costs more than a Search.  Cheaper options?

Quickbeam

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Re: Thin rails, not for surfing
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2019, 04:22:10 PM »
Hi Spirit,

Maybe a used Bark Contender? I’m not familiar with the Sunova Search, but the Bark Contender is 12’ 6” x 27” and pretty low volume. They are a full carbon board and I think you can pick them up used for a pretty decent price.
Infinity Blackfish 12’ 6” x 23”
ONE SUP Evo 12’ 6” x 24”
Infinity Whiplash 12' 6" x 24 1/2"
ONE SUP Evo 12’ 6” x 26”
Bark Competitor 12’ 6” x 29”
Red Paddle Explorer (Inflatable) 13' 2" x 30
Starboard Airline (Inflatable) 12’ 6” x 27

spirit4earth

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Re: Thin rails, not for surfing
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2019, 04:50:40 PM »
Hi Spirit,

Maybe a used Bark Contender? I’m not familiar with the Sunova Search, but the Bark Contender is 12’ 6” x 27” and pretty low volume. They are a full carbon board and I think you can pick them up used for a pretty decent price.

I’ll check them out!

Area 10

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Re: Thin rails, not for surfing
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2019, 06:04:37 PM »
The Maliko costs more than a Search.  Cheaper options?
Yeah, I meant find a used one.

Another nice board was the Bark Excursion:

https://distressedmullet.com/2013/10/05/review-2014-surftech-bark-excursion/

Or how about a Starboard Freeride? You can usually find them cheap.

Depends what length you want -?

robon

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Re: Thin rails, not for surfing
« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2019, 07:30:01 PM »
Not sure if you were looking for a 14 or 12', but the SUP sports One World Surfari 11'11" is 5.25" thick.

The Starboard Freeride 12'2" has been mentioned and I have thought about picking one up as a cruiser myself.

http://www.californiakiteboarding.com/product-category/stand-up-paddleboarding/sup-boards/page/12/
« Last Edit: February 17, 2019, 07:31:43 PM by robon »

spirit4earth

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Re: Thin rails, not for surfing
« Reply #10 on: February 18, 2019, 02:33:33 AM »
What I noticed with the Search is that even though it’s 4 11/16” thick, it thinned a lot near the rails.  Creek can clarify this.  Other boards I’ve used appeared to maintain their thickness right to the edge.

burchas

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Re: Thin rails, not for surfing
« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2019, 11:39:31 AM »
What I noticed with the Search is that even though it’s 4 11/16” thick, it thinned a lot near the rails.  Creek can clarify this.  Other boards I’ve used appeared to maintain their thickness right to the edge.

spirit, since it seems you really into the "Search" I'd suggest focusing on getting the "insider"
price of the board if you know what I mean.
in progress...

Area 10

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Re: Thin rails, not for surfing
« Reply #12 on: February 18, 2019, 01:21:14 PM »
What I noticed with the Search is that even though it’s 4 11/16” thick, it thinned a lot near the rails.  Creek can clarify this.  Other boards I’ve used appeared to maintain their thickness right to the edge.
If you could find one of the Paddle Surf Hawaii 12ft Guns or their Hull Paddlers models used you’d be then be in heaven. Really fine noses and tails, and they paddle very well. I’ve often paddled my PSH Gun on a 14 mile local route. But they are very highly desired so don’t come up that often.

Bean

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Re: Thin rails, not for surfing
« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2019, 01:25:08 PM »
Maybe a little too much rocker for flat water A10.

Area 10

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Re: Thin rails, not for surfing
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2019, 01:48:04 PM »
Maybe a little too much rocker for flat water A10.
Nope. Blane Chambers very cleverly kept the rocker fairly modest except for a sharp upturn right at the end of the nose. This means that it paddles into big waves very easily. But it also means that it paddles flat water well too, for a surf shape. I’ve put in a lot of miles on mine. It’s not as fast as a raceboard of course. But it’s as fast as many touring boards. And there is the added bonus that it’s one of the most epic-looking SUPs ever created.

And why can’t we get these anymore? The current crop of PSH boards advertised on their website look positively anemic compared with the magnificence of this one:

https://youtu.be/k9UOKABwRVc
« Last Edit: February 18, 2019, 01:59:11 PM by Area 10 »

 


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