What are some good brands?

I've heard positive reviews on www.conquestadventuregear.com/index.php/paddle-boards/guru-sup.html and I like the idea of being able to bike to the beach, with my board on my bike.

Thoughts? Or should I just go with a hardtop...

Are you talking about a surfable wave inflatable SUP or a flatwater or a cruiser shape?

You can always get a Quiver Kaddy and transport a hardtop to the beach with your bike.

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Broox24 said...

What are some good brands?

I've heard positive reviews on www.conquestadventuregear.com/index.php/paddle-boards/guru-sup.html and I like the idea of being able to bike to the beach, with my board on my bike.

Thoughts? Or should I just go with a hardtop...

Uli, Naish, Starboard, Fanatic, and I even saw a new JP inflatable the other day that looks good..

I think they're all pretty good these days.. Some of the inflatable have a very average paddle.

DJ

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DavidJohn said...

Broox24 said...

What are some good brands?

I've heard positive reviews on www.conquestadventuregear.com/index.php/paddle-boards/guru-sup.html and I like the idea of being able to bike to the beach, with my board on my bike.

Thoughts? Or should I just go with a hardtop...

Uli, Naish, Starboard, Fanatic, and I even saw a new JP inflatable the other day that looks good..

I think they're all pretty good these days.. Some of the inflatable have a very average paddle.

DJ

The new ones from RED with the stiffening battens look pretty good too.

Inflatables have their place, relatively convenient for transport and storage, but for this you will compromise performance to varying degrees. I have a 10' Hobie that the wife and kids really enjoy although if you're thinking of backpacking one on your bike, go to a shop and feel the size and weight first...12kg for a board doesn't sound like much but add in back, pump. paddle etc all rolled up on your back and you wouldn't want to be riding far. FWIW I'd probably stick to the branded/established end (ULI, Red, Starboard, Fanatic, Naish, iSUP, Hobie) rather than internet/ebay specials for quality & warranty etc - I suspect there's maybe a bigger quality/risk divide between name and no-name in inflatables than hard boards (?) Construction and design is improving and most of the new season stuff from the established makers looks pretty good. There were one or two on the buy and sell section that would be worth a look.

As always, demo demo demo if you can.

Edit here's a marathon thread over on the 'zone about current inflatables:

www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=14632.0

I have a RedPaddle, red air 10'6 and it is great, you should give them a test, I went to adventure sports at noosa tested it loved it bought it. I got a fanatic carbon 80 adjustable paddle instead of reds paddle thought. A lot of fun you can still catch ssurf waves too.

I will need to get an ISup for this summers holiday destination (Mallorca/Spain, difficult to get rentals and no way to get my boards on a plane)

I looked at the Starboard Astro range and I am quite intrigued by the Blend and the Converse. Has somebody already tried the Deluxe construction version? Is there a significant difference in stiffness?

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DirkG said...
I will need to get an ISup for this summers holiday destination (Mallorca/Spain, difficult to get rentals and no way to get my boards on a plane)

I looked at the Starboard Astro range and I am quite intrigued by the Blend and the Converse. Has somebody already tried the Deluxe construction version? Is there a significant difference in stiffness?

What matters is how heavy you are - there's a big difference in stiffness between 6" and 4" thick in those starboard constructions but the flip side is buoyancy/corkiness. at 125 kg a 6" thick board works OK for me but they are way to corky for my 60kg wife or 50 kg son. If you're under about 80-90 kgs look at the 4" thick one, up over 100kg you'd probably want the 6" deluxe.

Thanks. I am 75kg and it will be probably the Converse. That is only available in 4" but two different constructions with Deluxe being the stiffer. Just interested if this is really noticeable as there is 200€ price difference. However, with the Deluxe all fins are hard plastic and removable, with the other version the side fins are soft.

Dirk,
not sure if you have seen this youtube link of a guy surfing (looks around 65kg) the Starboard Converse Fun model in action on small surf. It appears he lets another rider use his board who looks heavier.



Gotta love the ending where he cleans out the other rider. lol..

Thanks a lot. Unfortunately youtube does not let me view this in Germany. There are some stupid Copyright clauses active here.

The two leading inflatable brands having solely iSUPs:
Both high quality production and construction from same factory in Korea allowing higher pressure for more stiffness.

Red Paddle www.redpaddleco.com/ special feature: Rocker Stiffening System (Two 3 foot long side/lateral 'sail' battens) www.redpaddleco.com/know-how/rss-2/


ULI www.uliboards.com/ special feature: the Wiki-rail for a better release www.uliboards.com/2012/wiki-rail

Want to know how inflatables go in some real surf then check out this redpaddle co's clip. Good Soundtrack.