Hi All,

First of all, I do understand you get what you pay for, and these boards aren't on par with the big name brand boards.

So, the missus and I just got back from a trip to Hawaii. We rented SUPs and had a ball, and want one (actually more than one).

There's myself and the missus, a 20yo son and a 10yo daughter.

We're looking for a board to start with. One board. As time and finances progress (recover!), we'll likely add more to the stable.
I'm about 6'1" and bouncing around 100kg. My missus is, I dunno, smaller?
(my guess is about 5' and 55kg... but don't tell her I said that!)

This first 'family' board will be for flat water only. Not surfing.

On the new side of things, Sideways have their SUP on sale for $650 (I'd likely go with the 11' x 31" x 4.5").
It appears that one can currently get their hands on an Australian Waterman SUP (10'8" x 32.5" x 4.75") for $750 with cheap paddle.

Again, I acknowledge that there will likely be a collection of paddles in the house at some point, so a cheapie isn't too much of a concern at the moment.

The only thing that seems to come close in size and price (used) on this forum is a BIC ACS 11'4" x 32". No depth given, but 205L.
The BIC is $650 (if it's still available).

So, which would be the best choice for a budget all-round family board?

You're going to say the BiC, aren't you?

Cheers!

Looking for weights to compare, I found the 10'8" Waterman being sold for $599 (board only), $699 board with paddle, and $750 board, paddle, rail tape and leg rope.

Anyway, weights:
BIC: 17Kg (!)
Sideways: 12.5kg
Australian Waterman: 10.5kg

The weight and the package price of the Waterman might be edging it ahead in the stakes.

I'd get the BIC.. even at that weight..

Welcome to the breeze..

I would go a Atlantis halo from the surfboard warehouse.. Still budget just a little bit more expensive than those but durable and perfect for a first board that you can keep in the family quiver. Halo model $950 waterborn evoke model $550. Give them a call they might even have older stock that is even cheaper.. Shiping with them is great also

I understand that the BIC is likely the best of the lot, but at 17kg, it'll be dragged and thrown by the little lady, and she'll hate to use it without my carrying it around for her.

That Waterborn Evoke looks good too, and I work on the Gold Coast, so no need for shipping :)

It all comes down to when my tax return comes in, and seeing what's available then (which should be any day now).

I guess there's always the 10'6" Wavestorm softtop at $400, which may not be the worst option for an entry level family board.

think twice, buy once! Spend a bit more and get a Fanatic Fly Pure.
Disclaimer: I wok for at Ocean Addicts, Sunshine Coast.
for those are smart with their $ - we offer 12 months interest free finance.

Been looking in the same price range and area, give the guys at alley designs at currumbin a look , good variety of boards in this price range and great service.

Im not involved with them, just appreciate good customer service. Found in most sup shops i have visited.

On a side note where did you go in Hawaii, the missus is eyeing off some cheap flights and thinking we should go.

Buy a secondhand or ex-demo board made by one of the premium brands like Naish, Fanatic, Jimmy Lewis etc. When you decide to upgrade - and you will - you will lose next to nothing in depreciation and will enjoy a better board.

Also be very careful relying on quoted weights, some manufacturers tend to be conservative with quoted weights while others can often be wildly optimistic. The only real way of telling is to lift them up or weight them yourself.

So close, yet so far.

Came across a nice used Fanatic Fly (11') at a great price today. Chatted to the seller, an agreement was made. Leaving work to go pick it up, and his wife had sold it to a friend while he was out fishing. So back to the drawing board.

I am leaning to a used board (and maybe increasing my budget a touch), but there just seems to be so few boards that'll carry my lard butt (most seem to be <10' and <30", in the used market, at least).

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot a feedback on some of the cheaper options.

Regarding resale and upgrade. I don't see this 'first' board being sold any time in the future. There's 4 people in the family, one a 10yo. I would imagine in a year or two that there would be at least 3 boards in the family. So the quiver will be added to, but I don't see the 'intro' board being sold and replaced at any time. if nothing else, it'll likely be kept as a spare for family/friends.

Cheers!

Select to expand quote

tuscan said..

On a side note where did you go in Hawaii, the missus is eyeing off some cheap flights and thinking we should go.

Hey Tuscan,
We spent 4 nights in Waikiki on Oahu. We never got out of Waikiki for those 4 nights, but loved it. Our hotel was at the very end of the strip, right next to the Zoo and Diamond Head. We then spent 4 nights on the 'Big Island'. We landed, hired a car, and drove around it. You could circumnavigate the island in about 5 hours, so 4 days to travel the island is great. We spent 2 of the 4 nights in Kona and a night in Volcano National Park. We also spent a night in Hilo, and would be happy to avoid that again. Hilo wasn't for our taste.

The missus and I absolutely loved the trip, and look forward to dragging the family over there.
Hell, if I wasn't in the process of finally buying an engagement ring, I'd likely be booking flights right back there again while they're still cheap.

Select to expand quote

cel23 said..
think twice, buy once! Spend a bit more and get a Fanatic Fly Pure.
Disclaimer: I wok for at Ocean Addicts, Sunshine Coast.
for those are smart with their $ - we offer 12 months interest free finance.

"for those are smart with their $ - we offer 12 months interest free finance. "
Now I've heard everything. The top of the SUP market in OZ is in gents.

Thanks Dammned67,

Just the sort of trip we were thinking about. Always great to get the opinion of someone whose been. Thanks for spending the time to reply.
Let us know what you end up buying.
See you on the water.

Select to expand quote

Kenoo said..
Also be very careful relying on quoted weights, some manufacturers tend to be conservative with quoted weights while others can often be wildly optimistic. The only real way of telling is to lift them up or weight them yourself.

Good test is park your car 100 meters away from the shop ask to carry the board to the car try and put it on the roof then take it off and carry back to the shop.. As reality is what you or your wife will have to do once you buy one when you go for a paddle.. Weight in carrying and lifting is the reason a lot of SUPs end up living in garages, cheapest is not always best when buying something big same with paddles....

Tuscan,
After losing out on the agreed purchase of the Fanatic Fly, I feel I need to keep tight-lipped for the moment. That said, I went to check out a board yesterday, and plan on picking up BOTH boards on Saturday (or tomorrow, if I can swing it). I was offered a deal that was far too good to refuse!

Re: Hawaii - Was a great trip, can't wait to do it again! If you end up going, I'd be more than happy to detail more of our experiences, and what we wish we did (i.e. hire a car and drive around Oahu).

Cheers!

Select to expand quote

TalkToMe said..

cel23 said..
think twice, buy once! Spend a bit more and get a Fanatic Fly Pure.
Disclaimer: I wok for at Ocean Addicts, Sunshine Coast.
for those are smart with their $ - we offer 12 months interest free finance.

"for those are smart with their $ - we offer 12 months interest free finance. "
Now I've heard everything. The top of the SUP market in OZ is in gents.

?? I'm

haha I was waiting for the red thumbs... Funny how most guys on here know nothing about shapes or construction yet still feel the need to throw in their 2 cents.

Again... the Fanatic Fly is perfect for you @damned67.

So the boards are home.
Wednesday I planned on a long lunch break to check out a few shops. The first one I walked into was the Australian Waterman shop. Had a bit of a look around and started chatting to one of the staff. Turns out that it was the only shop I ended up in.
I came home today with a new 10' for my Lady, a used 10'8" for me and two of their 'switch blade' paddles (with the rubber edged blades, which I think are a great idea for beginners and all the kids that'll be on these boards) for a total price of $1009. Yep, $1009.
They may not be big name boards, and they may be Chinese 'pop-outs', but two boards and two paddles for a touch over $1000!
They were selling the board and paddle for $700 (online). They retail the paddles for $150 (and I got an extra paddle), so in my mind the used board coast me $159!

One of the things that sold me on them was the used board. It was returned under warranty... The guy that served me today said the board was a bit over 12 months old, ie actually out of warranty. It's a bamboo topped board, white rails and white bottom. The white has 'yellowed' slightly, that's it. That's all that's 'wrong' with it.
The fact that they replaced someones board, out of warranty, for slightly discoloured white, says a lot to me about their customer service.
Yes, it shouldn't have yellowed already, but it's not too bad, it's just not 'bright' white anymore.

Re: customer service - my Lady was concerned that I didn't buy a board bag for her new board, so last night she hit 'Sideways Surf' or whatever they're called and picked up a board bag (not a bad bag for $100, seems to have a good amount of padding in it, zipper may be questionable over time though). The guy that served me today had no drama's helping me put the new board in someone else's bag and showing me how best to put them on the roof racks of the truck (which was pretty obvious, but he still spent the time to make sure I did it properly). He went inside before I got the second strap on. Second strap was about an inch short. I went back inside to buy some new straps. He offered to come back out and help position the boards to see if we could get my strap to fit. I didn't want to screw around with that, so he sold me a $25 set of straps for $15. I know it doesn't seem like much, but for me it was further evidence of their customer service.

Anyway, thus far it's been a great experience dealing with them.

I'm still disappointed that I missed out on the Fanatic Fly the other day... but now we have two boards instead of one.
I do expect to upgrade these two boards and paddles over the coming years, but at the price I paid, they'll likely remain in the family for the skids to use. I dont have to panic about family and friends (or even us) beating them around.

First paddle of the boards will be later this morning :)

Two boards, two paddles, and great customer service for a touch over $1000. I'm a happy camper.

So thanks to everyone for opinions and advice, and for showing me that Seabreeze is more than just a wind forecast for my fishing!

Cheers!

First paddle today. We loved every minute of it.
Within 30min my partner was paddling around with my daughter on front... After I tried, and struggled a bit... then my daughter had a paddle. My daughter was sensational, although the paddle is too long. I'll either have to cut it down, or find a 'kids sized' paddle.

We then had two families of friends join us. All 5 kids and 5 adults had a shot. Everyone had a ball.
Even some random kids swimming near by asked for a go... no worries!
I tried to make sure all the 'less experienced' peeps were on the used board. Gave a mate with some surfing experience the new 10', he almost immediately lost his balance and all 95kg came crashing down knees and paddle (bar horizontal) first... the new board now has a couple of compression dings in the deck just forward of the grip... of course. But hey, cheap 'family' boards, no tears were shed.

Taking the boards down the back yard for a hose down, and I managed to drag the tail of the used board across the top of a concrete step, so it now has it's first injury too... but again, cheap 'family' boards, no tears shed.

Everyone had a great time, and now both families are talking about buying their own SUPs!

We (myself, partner and daughter) had so much fun, there's no question that we'll be getting more boards!
My daughter wants her 'own'... Of course!

Thanks again for all opinions and advice. SUPing, the new family sport!

Cheers!