Any experience? Is the stability good and is it more like primary or secondary stability oriented? Any idea of the stability compared to a Fanatic Strike 14x25? I'm 51 years, 172cm 73kg recretional paddler who can keep 8kmh pace, but I'm not looking for a hardcore racer, hence the width. I'd like more a sports board that will do flatwater, some messy short period downwind waves but also cruise with my wife watching the views and looking for a place to stop for drinking some coffee.

Our Current boards are:
Gong race 14x28, we've got two of those inflatables which are suprisingly good
Fanatic Strike Carbon 14x25 (2020), smooth, fast and quite stable
Gong Sherpa 14x26 which is a well mannered, stable all-around semi-dugout sports/race board

Hi,
I have had a lot of time on the Carolina, mostly with the narrows versions. What I can say about the board is how versatile it is. So for your case, Perfect! With stability on this board you will find there is a lot towards the front which means you have the comfort of being able to lean on your paddle and have to make less of a conscious effort to be stable. So win win. As the boards cockpit lowers your centre of gravity you will find that there is greater both primary and secondary stability. I haven't had any experience with the strike, but with any amount of chop you'll definitely be enjoying the freedom the Carolina offers with of the nose shape of the board.

Select to expand quote

tyisaac said..
Hi,
I have had a lot of time on the Carolina, mostly with the narrows versions. What I can say about the board is how versatile it is. So for your case, Perfect! With stability on this board you will find there is a lot towards the front which means you have the comfort of being able to lean on your paddle and have to make less of a conscious effort to be stable. So win win. As the boards cockpit lowers your centre of gravity you will find that there is greater both primary and secondary stability. I haven't had any experience with the strike, but with any amount of chop you'll definitely be enjoying the freedom the Carolina offers with of the nose shape of the board.

Thanks for the info, I ordered a one. I guess at 73kg I'm a bit lightweight for the (25") width, but I hope that makes the board glide well on flatwater at a slower pace too as I should sit a bit higher in the water and not drag its tail deep? Also I'm looking forward to downwinding in short period bumps where I need some stability too as the conditions are sometimes quite messy. I like the idea that the recess stays low towards the tail to make it more stable to walk back and forth. Someone mentioned waves sometimes breaking over the rails and the recess flooding, have you had problems like that?