I am looking for a "One board solution" and want an SIC 14.

I find my X14Pro a little tippy on the lake in a breeze (or a mass race start) and am reluctant to take it out in the ocean.

The FX Pro is great on the lake but at 25inches wide not sure about the ocean.

The Bullet V2 is an unknown at this stage.

I paddle (slowly) on the lake 90% of the time but would like to do occasional paddles in ocean and Pittwater downwinders.

Any thoughts on these 3 boards as the "one board solution"? (For now, don't worry about other brands, I know they exist!)

Not sure what you are really asking as you already seem to have answered most of your own question. The 14 flatwater is OK for the flat but as you say can be a little tippy, the FX is maybe a bit better in the bumps and the V2 will be stable but is a pig in the flat.

I think the FX is meant to be the more around board but if you find it tippy then i would say you might need to expand you board choices to better around boards that have better stability.

It's a big world out there in the race board land so don't limit your self to much as there are some good boards away from what you have mentioned.

If i had to pick one of the above for you it sounds like the V2 would be it.

If you want to stay on an SIC you should get the Standamaran! Job done... !!!

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angie pangi said..
Not sure what you are really asking as you already seem to have answered most of your own question. The 14 flatwater is OK for the flat but as you say can be a little tippy, the FX is maybe a bit better in the bumps and the V2 will be stable but is a pig in the flat.

I think the FX is meant to be the more around board but if you find it tippy then i would say you might need to expand you board choices to better around boards that have better stability.

It's a big world out there in the race board land so don't limit your self to much as there are some good boards away from what you have mentioned.

If i had to pick one of the above for you it sounds like the V2 would be it.

angie pangi has it nailed dcc55.

The Bullet is a dream to downwind. Stable, fast, just great fun. If you want to get the best out of your downwinding, then that's the board.

I downwind my FXPro on Port Phillip up to about 20 knots, after that it does become hard work and hence not so much fun (for us mere mortals).

But then I've got the luxury of an SIC F16 for 20+ knots. Now that board is like a magic carpet ride in 25+ knots! Keep your eye out for one on the 'breeze, they're not that expensive.

My tip for downwinding is that it's only fun when you're standing on the board and actively able to push the board to catch the waves. Get a board that you're going to be comfortable on. If it's too narrow or flat you're going to spend all your time concentrating on standing on the board, not catching waves.

(BTW - Still can't believe the number of people that insist on trying to downwind their flatwater boards)

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angie pangi said..
the V2 will be stable but is a pig in the flat.


If i had to pick one of the above for you it sounds like the V2 would be it.

Angie needs to be careful calling my favourite 14' board a pig

i know where to find her and will be landing just near there tomorrow


however, Dave if you are looking to spend more time in the ocean V2 is your friend, and as you know we have a few . Personally I don't think it's that bad in the flat water, no it's as quick as an x-pro but it's not too far behind.

I haven;t had the opportunity to paddle a FX as I am lucky to have a choice at their end so don't need to compromise the middle

I hear that the F16 is not going to be in the SIC catalogue for 2017. If this is true, and you've got one, then hold onto it as it's about to become a collector's item. Shame: for a lot of people and places the F16 is probably the board of choice from what I hear.

The Bark Vapor 14 is a bit faster in the flats than the Bullet 14 and is extremely good in small downwind, and is almost as stable as the Bullet. A lot cheaper in most markets too (a lot heavier though, but that adds to the stability).

The Jimmy Lewis Sidewinder is another one you might want to look at, and isn't as discussed as often as some of the more obvious choices. Very light, good value. Not as good as the Vapor or Bullet DW but faster in the flats.

No F16, but there will be a "touring" 30" wide version of both the 12-6 and the 14 FX! I believe they'll have the FAST steering as well (you can still use a fixed fin too..) if you're bound and determined to stick with SIC, then there's your solution. But like Angie said, there's a whole world out there, and lots of great all round boards that might be the one for you..

Dave, I hear "Zippy Board" is making a come back after 45 years with a SUP range 13' 12" X 40 in orange or yellow.

It is surely a world first to have a 12-6 with a rudder?

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Area10 said..
It is surely a world first to have a 12-6 with a rudder?

Production, thats for sure...

Maybe it will work well; I'm guessing you could easily get back to the tail with 1 step, and back to the steering tiller again. regardless, kudos to SIC for being creative and not afraid to try the concept.

Probably not available in Oz but the Infinity Blackfish is one of the best all-around "race" board that I have ever paddled - granted based on a limited sample.

"I paddle (slowly) on the lake 90% of the time but would like to do occasional paddles in ocean and Pittwater downwinders."

Don't get sucked in here dcc55.
You've already stated your paddling style & requirements, and you've correctly identified the best brand (10 points well done).

Just go buy your Bullet V2.

ShireSUP is also correct - it's not a pig on flat water unless you're trying to race it against 24" dedicated flat water boards.

THe difference between 14ft boards in Flat and ocean is Huge!!

If you want to paddle flatwater then buy a flatwater but if you take this board in the ocean chances are it will suck and you fun will be cut in half.

If you want a DW board the buy a DW board but if you take this board in the flat be prepared as you will not have the glide speed of a flatwater board. Over a short distance you may be ok for speed in the flat but as the distance gets longer the difference in board speed becomes easy to see.

Now the next choice is a more all round board kind of like a Allstar and boards like that now they are usually ok in both conditions and under the right paddler can still be quick, you will have to work these boards more in the bumps to make them work.

Last are boards like the ACE, NSP dugout or even like we have just made our ONE Storm, full dugout boards, these usually fit into a all round range as well but IMO are better to DW some times that a true DW board, as for most people they would be a better choice as they are just EASY stand and shoot boards you don't need to move any where near as much as on other boards so you can spend more time getting the paddling part right. Downside is they will top out on speed sometime when the bumps are real big like in Hawaii(probably why you don't see them winning on the Maliko run) but for shorter mixed up swell they are sometimes unbeatable and with wider models now becoming available more people will work out how much better than can be. In the flat they can still be competitive although a true Flatwater board will still have a edge over it.

I've got a V2 but, if I was to be doing 90% of my paddling on a lake, would go for the FX if the X is not your cup of tea.

Way go for 25 go for 27 or more and us one for all conditions

How about getting one of the wider FX boards that are coming out for 2017? I hear you'll even be able to get them with a rudder.