12'6" Bark Vapor, 14' SIC Okeanos, Starboard Waterline...?

[EsqDavidK]

Looking for a new Lake Michigan board.  It will more or less take the place of a damaged 14'x26" Riviera Downwinder.  We want a go in and out of the surf zone, maybe catch a bump or wave, capable of going up and down the coast type board. I think we want something slightly more stable than the Riviera Downwinder, particularly in side chop.  All of us weigh about 190lbs - Except me, I weigh about 205lbs.

Currently available for the amount we want to spend:
-SIC Okeanos 14'x26" or 28"
-Starboard Waterline 14'x28" or 12'6"x28"
-Bark Vapor 12'6"x26"
-Bark Downwinder 12'6'x27.2" (optimal for 190lbs and under)
-Hobie 2015 Apex 14x27.5"
-Surftech Saber 12'6"x31"
-Starboard Touring Lite Tech 12'6'x31
-SIC Sonic 12'6"x30"

Trusted midwest seller says the Starboard Waterline is very good in Lake Michigan chop in spite of its low amount of rocker.

Thoughts?  Anything to immediately rule out?  Thanks for any input.

[LoudounSUP]

I am very interested in reading someones review of the Starboard Waterline...there's really nothing online comparing it to other boards.

[Dusk Patrol]

-SIC Okeanos 14'x26" or 28"
-Starboard Waterline 14'x28" or 12'6"x28"
-Bark Vapor 12'6"x26"
-Bark Downwinder 12'6'x27.2" (optimal for 190lbs and under)
-Hobie 2015 Apex 14x27.5"
-Surftech Saber 12'6"x31"
-Starboard Touring Lite Tech 12'6'x31
-SIC Sonic 12'6"x30
Thoughts?  Anything to immediately rule out?  Thanks for any input.

My preferences would be the Okeanos and the Hobie, in that order.  The Vapor would be first choice if it were 14’.  For what I imagine can be open waters, Consider sticking with 14’.
The Saber and Sonic are too heavy. You can do better.
The Waterline is too much a flat water board.
The Downwinders is a great board, but again a 14’ would be preferable. It’s more of man all around all Warner board as opposed to a true downwind shape anyway.

[Area 10]

I agree - eliminate anything other than a 14.
Okeanos the best of the rest. But not a good choice for downwinding or surf, if you want to do that a lot.

I'd go for a Naish Maliko 14x28 or maybe a Jimmy Lewis Sidewinder in your siruation, if all things were possible. Maybe even a Jimmy Lewus Rail 14x28 if your conditions are windy and choppy often.

Bark Vapor 14 is a very pleasant board to paddle in chop and in the surf zone but it has to be the 14, really, at your weight.

[EsqDavidK]

Greatly appreciate the feedback.  Thanks.  David K

[EsqDavidK]

What if the 12'6" Bark Vapor is on sale as a demo model for $900?  This really tempts me.  Although I recognize that a 14' is best it's hard to not roll the dice on a 12'6" Bark.  Years ago we got to play around on a 12'6" Bark Competitor and liked it a lot.

Boiled down we probably want something for going in and out of choppy short interval surf and swell for fun and flatter water fitness paddling. 

Our "quiver" consists of:
- Two 10' Uli Steamrollers
- 8' Uli MiniQuad
- 11'x31" Surftech Discovery
- 10'10"x27" Bic Jungle
- Epic V7 surski
- Broken 14'x26" Riviera Downwinder

[burchas]

What if the 12'6" Bark Vapor is on sale as a demo model for $900?

I'd say jump on it for a quick demo, see if you like it. It should be more fun in and out the surf than a 14'. You'd sacrifice speed in the flats but it sounds like fun in the bumps is more important to you.

[EsqDavidK]

Just found out the demo Bark has been sold.  Also told that the Waterline is stable in 2' chop.  Dave K

[Luc Benac]

The Bark Downwinder is not the best board to take in/out surf.

[Dusk Patrol]

If a 12'6 is on the table (and from your quiver it looks like you're comfortable on smaller boards) consider the Starboard Generation.  It surfs, and can handle open water. I haven't personally used one, but was talking to a SoCal  guy who owns one (the board looks good in person). He takes it out to the oil rigs, then surfs it in.  I do have its progenitor, a 12'2 first gen Freeride which I love. 



 

[EsqDavidK]

Had not come across the Starboard Generation!  It seems to check the boxes. Thanks for the suggestion.

[gcs]

Generation yes. Waterline no. Its for flats. I have a 12 2 freeride for your stated purpose.  Does well especially downwind.  Ridiculous stability. Have my eye on the generation. They are selling like hot cakes. Looks like the original freeride. Nothing wrong with that.  Bark vapor 14 for sure   Or maybe a last generation concave bottom allstar. New ones faster and more tippy.

[justsomeguy]

I'm kinda looking at the Generation too ... but what's up with the shoulder strap that's permanetly attached to the board ... WTF is SB thinking?

[burchas]

I'm kinda looking at the Generation too ... but what's up with the shoulder strap that's permanetly attached to the board ... WTF is SB thinking?

Just buy the Lite Tech instead of the Carbon Top and you'll get no strap. You'll even pay $900 less for this pleasure

[EsqDavidK]

I was wrong about the Rivera Downwinder - it was repairable!
 

But, I really want to try a Starboard Generation anyway.
Thanks for the suggestions and advice