Hi All,
I am a definite rookie (though an enthusiastic one): started SUP paddling ~3 months ago, love it.
Height 5'8, weight 165 lbs.
No previous water-sport experience, OK physical shape, pretty poor balance skills.

I currently have a JP Australia Allround Air 10'2X32"X4". I love it as a first board - practical, I can catch small (1ft) waves with it, paddle/tour for a few Kms, and I love the fact you can fall on it and practically nothing will happen to you. I tried catching a few waves with a large epoxy board, and I was really afraid of that board crashing into me when I fall off.

So I'm definitely considering inflatables for the future.

Now here is my question: I can go easily on the JP Allround for tours at 1ft or quieter sea, with no or very little chop.
Once it gets choppy, or wave >1ft, it get really hard for me to stay standing for more than a few minutes - I have to get down on my knees and rest a bit.

So I'm considering what board will give me even more stability, without becoming unbearably slow/clumsy.

I understood width is the most important - so a 35" (like the Astro whopper) or even more (Red Paddle has a 36") would be good, right?

Now as far as thickness goes - I'm not sure 6" is more stable than 4" ? Since extra thickness increases inflation/pump time, and I pump it up almost every time I go to the beach.

I had a look at the Starboard Astro Tender (11'2X40"!) - I guess this one will be really stable, but I wonder if paddling on it is such fun?

So in short - how important is thickness, and if I can perform as described on a 32"X10'2, what would be my ideal size for "rock solid stability in 2ft+chop" ? If any?
thanks mates,
Tsvi

Have a look at the airsup range best inflatables around

Hi Marky,
thanks for the tip, but those are 30" boards, there are many of those.
I'm looking for wider than 32", as I wrote.
Thanks anyway.

You have the new Starboard Astro Stream, which was designed to be used in river rapids.It's a 9'6 x 36" x 6" ans sports 387 liters.
I'm getting one to paddle with my wife and 2 yo daughter and have some fun in the rivers.Apparently it is Starboard's toughest board in the Astro line.

Yes, thanks for that.
I wonder if the 6" provides extra stability, or just rigidity? Since as far as rigidity goes, I'm fine with my 200 Liter, 4" JP Allround Air.

The extra pumping time for a 380 Liter beast is a factor.

So apart from width, does extra thickness contribute to actual stability in chop/waves?

Select to expand quote

SleepLessInTLV said..


So apart from width, does extra thickness contribute to actual stability in chop/waves?

Stability isn't just about width, shape/outline also has a bearing - I have 29 " and 30" wide boards that are more stable than one of my 33" inch boards due to where the volume is distributed throughout the board. In inflatables, extra thickness generally contributes to stiffness, which contributes to stability and better on-water performance. I highly recommend you look at RED* and ULI...while they are slightly heavier, they employ sturdier construction methods than most of the others (double skins, higher drop-stitch density), allowing higher pressure, greater stiffness and...better stability. You're not tall or heavy so you might enjoy a stiffer board that would let you get away with less width with some performance benefits.

(* I own a RED 12'6 race...tried almost every 12'6 inflatable available in my local market, including Naish, Hobie, Fanatic, Starboard and ULI. ULI and RED were the standouts for stiffness, stability and performance, bought the RED because it has the extra stiffness of the batten system and it has a US-compatible fin box)