Author Topic: if you could only have one board (2021 version)  (Read 11507 times)

northshore_slider

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if you could only have one board (2021 version)
« on: July 20, 2021, 01:22:45 PM »
Was just cruising around the forum and found a great thread from way back where everyone chimed in about the one board they would keep if they could only have one. I haven't found that one board yet... still hunting, which I guess is why I'm curious what y'all would say!

My Starboard Element 9'8 is stable and fun, but I always want more out of it. My Jimmy Lewis Destroyer 8'5 is super fun on a lot of various wave types (small or big, mushy or steep and fast, etc) but I struggle with it on choppy/windy days. I'm guessing my one board is somewhere in the 9' range, can turn on a dime but also race down the line and is stable even on choppy/windy days. So what's your one board? Or are you still on the hunt like me?
Jimmy Lewis Worldwide 8'1 x 29 - 110L
Jimmy Lewis Destroyer 8'5 x 30 - 130L
Kalama E3 9'2 x 30 - 126L

previous:
Jimmy Lewis Super Frank 8'6 x 32 - 141L
Infinity RNB 8'8 x 32 - 142L
Hobie RAW 9'4 x 32 - 146L
Starboard Element 9'8 x 30 - 153L

me: 5'11, 185lbs, 42yrs old
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Dusk Patrol

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Re: if you could only have one board (2021 version)
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2021, 01:46:52 PM »
I would go the route of a 12'6 Bullet or a 12'6 Starboard Generation.  Something that I can paddle distance on AND surf... a little.  Happily I'm afflicted enough to not have to make that compromise.  One surf sup would probably be something like Infinity's old Carver... kind of a traditional shape that glides.  But I'm really happy with my 9'8 Destroyer. 
RS 14x26; JL Destroyers 9'8 & 8'10; BluePlanet 9'4; JL Super Frank 8'6

BigZ

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Re: if you could only have one board (2021 version)
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2021, 02:56:42 PM »
For SUP surfing: 8'5 JL Destroyer. Could be more efficient in small conditions and becomes handful in overhead but for waist to head it is perfect. Super stable even in rough, messy conditions. For reference, I am 240 pounds.
« Last Edit: July 20, 2021, 02:59:57 PM by BigZ »

JonathanC

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Re: if you could only have one board (2021 version)
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2021, 04:06:23 PM »
I’ve got the Starboard 10’ x 29 125L longboard, the more I use it the more I’m convinced it would be my one board solution if that had to happen!
I’m only 150# and yet I find it surfs better than it should because of the fine tail and rails. Even on cruising flat water paddle sessions with friends it seems to keep up fine.
One of the big pluses is the light weight and ease of storage and getting on and off the car. I’ve also got the 12’6 Generation but find myself heading for the ten footer most of the time.
Think I’d miss my small surf sups for bigger waves the most. Wing foiling has pretty much taken over my SUP downwinding passion.

Kojack

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Re: if you could only have one board (2021 version)
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2021, 04:24:32 PM »
simple.  10x29 custom Infinity Trout model.  Does everything well.  Deck delamed, rebuilt heavier with a shitty deck pad and 7 years later still the best SUP I have owned.  I have a two other SUPs a RNB that was custom and a New Deal before the production run started but this board works when it is tiny and when it is big.  Now I need to find the SUP foil and Wing Foil version of this board.  Best board I have owned since Robert August made me a board in 1993.  Smiles for miles.

Bean

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Re: if you could only have one board (2021 version)
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2021, 06:49:12 AM »
My local is all beach break so there is a lot of variability depending on how the bottom contour has changed and the prevailing swell and wind direction.  When it's fast breaking, my New Deal 10x27 is hard to beat.  At crumbly, high tide, my 9'6" x 28 Black and Blue Machine shines. 

But, more than 50% of the time, side-shore winds, etc., make those two choices less than optimal and I lean on my 10 x 30.5 Stylemaster.  It just does everything well.  (I'm anticipating a (new)10 x 28.5 and a (demo/now discontinued) 9 x 29 Stylemaster by the end of this month.) 

Tom

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Re: if you could only have one board (2021 version)
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2021, 07:38:40 AM »
I ride my 8 10 Sunova Speed 95% of the time. There are very few conditions I'd doesn't do well in.

Badger

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Re: if you could only have one board (2021 version)
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2021, 07:46:02 AM »
I started in 2013 and have gone through about a dozen boards over the years looking for the perfect board. The 8'10 Sunova Flow is by far the best all-around surf SUP I've ever owned. It's long enough to have good glide in small waves yet short enough to rip when it's overhead.

I'll be 64 next month. These days I prefer my sessions to be more casual, i.e. less work/less falling. The 31" width is very stable for me in the chop but it never feels overly wide on clean days.

Many boards in the 8' range have too much volume for people under 200 lbs. I like that Sunova makes them a bit leaner.

The new Casey/Flow looks fantastic.  https://sunovasurfboards.com/en/legends/casey/flow  The 8'8 would be perfect for you at 190 lbs.

.
« Last Edit: July 21, 2021, 08:40:07 AM by Badger »
Kalama E3 6'1 x 23" 105L
Axis HPS 980 / PNG 1300
Sunova Flow  8'10 X 31"  119L
Me - 6'0" - 165lbs - 66yo

FRP

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Re: if you could only have one board (2021 version)
« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2021, 11:59:13 AM »
I ride my 8 10 Sunova Speed 95% of the time. There are very few conditions I'd doesn't do well in.

+1 for 8’10” Speeed. I always seem to find an excuse to take it out.

Bob
Sunova 8'10" Speeed
Sunova 8’7” Creek
Sunova 9’x30” Revolution
KeNalu Konihi 84 (primary paddle)
Kialoa Pipes II
Werner Nitro Carbon

"The time spent surfing is time that is added to my life" “In the ocean we are all connected”
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toolate

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Re: if you could only have one board (2021 version)
« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2021, 03:38:25 PM »
seems like weight and age and desire to stay dry are key considerations.
as are conditioning and experience.
I love my smallest board (JL supertech 71'10) but i am exhausted after an hour...but it is a fun hour.

NorthJerzSurfer

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Re: if you could only have one board (2021 version)
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2021, 05:13:24 AM »
ive probably cycled through 15-20 boards since I started in 2012 and think the most versatile board if I could only have 1 would be my current 8'0 x 30 129L L41 ST.   

Kirk really is on to something beyond 'blown up' surfboard shapes.  For Ref im 5'10 210ish.  It works in all conditions i'd 'want' to sup in.  (IE if its overhead and Barelling i'm probably prone or not out.)


Bean

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Re: if you could only have one board (2021 version)
« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2021, 06:22:02 AM »
Simmons shapes are fast and fun at our JS beach breaks for sure.  Especially for making fast sections when there are lot's of near close-outs.  My 7'10" Infinity is a great choice for those days.

OkiWild

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Re: if you could only have one board (2021 version)
« Reply #12 on: July 25, 2021, 10:45:25 PM »
My Blue Planet Tuf-Tech 10'6" x 33" x 5.25" x 220L  ;D

From time to time, people ask me to take them out, but there's no chance they could even stand on one of my boards, so I bought this leviathan. Started out just surfing it on tiny, choppy days, and had so much fun, I started going bigger. It was really fun tweaking the fin set up to get it to turn in the pocket and hold the wall  :) 

Fog City Rider

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Re: if you could only have one board (2021 version)
« Reply #13 on: July 31, 2021, 02:38:57 PM »
My 10'0 Naish Nalu Pro. Hefty rocker is great in bumpy conditions + holds its own in large surf.

But, it's also a blast in 1-2' surf and is paddles efficiently enough for SUP surf safaris too.

Nothing beats my 9'0 Pearson Arrow custom in small to medium clean conditions, but the Nalu Pro is SO versatile.

(whoops it's not a 2021 version but I don't think they've changed much)
San Diego, CA
10'0 Naish Nalu Pro (2017 version)
9'0 Pearson Arrow Laird custom
9'3 Pearson Arrow custom (prone)
9'8 Takayama In the Pink (prone)

Bean

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Re: if you could only have one board (2021 version)
« Reply #14 on: July 31, 2021, 05:43:24 PM »
FCR, you’re safe, 2021 refers to the survey year.  At least that was my take.  I’m waiting for a couple of new boards and pretty sure they (at least one) are 2020 models. 😁

 


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