ULI boards - any regrets?

[watermelonman]

Thinking about getting a ULI board for a vacation place that has minimum storage areas.  I've seen all the "pro" videos and comments.  Any negatives??

[Caribsurf]

Do you SUP already?
the ULI boards are great, well built and practical for storing away, travel etc
They paddle really well and are fun for any ability and in small waves, but if you think you would want to charge some better waves and get in some serious SUPing, you might be disapointed.  Don't get me wrong they do as advertised, I just wouldn't consider them high performance
They also are pretty bouant and thick and trade winds blow them pretty easily, they do paddle really well though

I haven't seen or tried the Lopez model  , it isn't even shown on the ULI web site

[csx355]

Yup - I have two.

• Selling my 11'r (now I've only got a Lopez and a Steamroller  ).
• Not getting an ULI  sooner for all my previous holidays

[steamroller]

for surfing ...if youre going to switch back and forth between an ULI and a regular board youre going to be disappointed...when i go back to hawaii after riding my ULI in weak slow socal waves i sometimes borrow Sam Pa'es vacuum bagged EPS SUP and it takes me about an hour to get used to the speed again...its too fast i cant control it...right in the pocket(bottom turn to barrell ride) they are about the same but out onto the flats compared to the regular hard board my ULI feels like its dragging something...

you can muscle it around and make it go where you want it to go and do what you want it to do...but the ability to glide out onto the flats then cutback and retain all your speed is not there...yet..

but then again i can fit the ULI in a backpack....

[csx355]

.  .  .  is not there...yet.. ....

   What do you know??

[JoeK]

Have you seen the new C4 Waterman inflatables? The ATB looks pretty nice...


http://store.c4waterman.com/C4-Waterman-iSUP-Inflatable-Stand-Up-Boards-s/47.htm

[watermelonman]

I've already got a flat water/small surf SUP at home. Just looking to keep one at my 2nd home in the Florida Keys.  Also would be nice to travel with since I fly my own plane to kiteboarding destinations, and if the wind is a bust then I'll have a board.  The C4s looked pretty cool.  Didn't even know they made inflatables.  Thanks all.

[JoeK]

Oldsurfer53 - have you tried the 10-6 yet?

Its really cool that there are a few more choices (sorry Steamroller;-)

But sounds like ULI may be planning something. 

[linter]

i've had a go on the 10-06 and had a blast catching four micro waves (i.e. 1/16' ... and that's not even Hawaiian scale).  felt kinda bendy but that's because i don't think i had it blown up to 15 psi. i've got to start going to the gym just to get the muscles to get it there; it's tough!

(i've heard the new c4's are rebranded ULI's; can anyone confirm or deny that?)

[Tom English]

Steamroller in action. 
Aloha,
Tom English

[csx355]

It's pictures and videos like that, that made me buy ULI in the first place, after that it was customer service that made me come back for more. You don't see many of the others shredding like that.

[Caribsurf]

what model is Steamroller riding in those photos?  it isnt the 10 or 11 ft  also, I keep hearing abiou the Lopez model, however nothing on the ULI website mentions this smaller high performance SUP
I don't think they have updated their website in a year or two

[bigdom]

you will never regret getting an inflatable sup !

i have a custard point - a british desgn made by the same subcontractor
as ULI uses in - 10-06 with more of a pintail than the ULI 10 or 11
and  i think it is better in waves (more like the ULI lopez) - it doesnt
have the extenal fibreglass stringers so it is not so stiff but this is
only notciable in larger waves

much cheaper tho than importing an uli

[capobeachboy]

Hi watermelonman.  I've been using ULIs for a couple years now and the guys have a great product and customer service but the website needs some updates.  They have some very cool new stuff like the Lopez model and a new lightweight 14.  Having spent some time in the Keys years ago I know there's not much surf but the 14 would be a great board for adventuring around those mangrove islands or some downwind runs.  You could get a fly rig and go after bonefish easily.  Just keep an eye out for those square groupers!   

[jdmotes]

 'Kick-Ass' fun looking waves (above)! Where were they shot at???    Later,   JD