Hi all!

Merry Christmas

So I bought a SUP (1st ever, first paddle yesterday) and it was very wobbly.

I noticed that that on the website, it says it has a "large centre fin"

http://www.raglankitesurfing.com/luke-short-designs-/162-simon-anderson-rdp-9-6.html

But mine doesn't have one at all?

As I'm using it for lakes and creeks etc, or flat sea - I believe I need one?

It currently has four little ones.

Question is, do I need to get them from the manufacturer, is there a type/size or will any work?

Thanks in advance ????

They've set it up as a quad, which is fine if using it in the surf. I have a similar sized board and its awesome as a quad.

A large single fin won't make it more stable, but will help it track in a straight line when paddling, so helpful on a lake. I'd contact them and ask for the large box fin (something around 7 " or larger would be fine). If they won't provide one then you'll need to buy one - a standard longboard fin would be fine (www.surffcs.com.au/collections/longboard/products/fcs-ii-connect-pg-longboard-fin).

You can play around with the fins but probably start with 2 + 1 (leave the two outside fins currently in the board, remove the two inside fins and add the centre fin).

Hope that helps.

If you bought the board new then yes it should come as described, if second hand you can't use the description for new out of the box. If you really want a single fin get a 9" - 10"

Thanks guys!

I bought it used, barely, but still not brand new. (It's pretty expensive new hey?!)

It's set up like the pic - but I don't surf, so it's just for flat exercise and sea if it's a calm flat day.

(That link is dead by the way?)

I read the centre fin tracks straight AND reduces wobble?

Anyway, so I just need to pull out the inner two and get a centre, right?

Yeah bro - you've got it.
Spot on.

Nice. Now to find a local one so I can get back out there!

Curious, what would one pay for a board like mine? (Seeing if I got a good deal )

It has no scratches or dents, just one small chip near the board makers signature.

Got one!

Thanks for for the help - happy paddling!








Went with the single fin setup after a lot of reading online :)

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whatSUPmatey said..
Nice. Now to find a local one so I can get back out there!

Curious, what would one pay for a board like mine? (Seeing if I got a good deal )

It has no scratches or dents, just one small chip near the board makers signature.

Boards like that would normally cost $3,000 or more. What did you pay?

I only paid $500 for it, with a carbon paddle.

It's pretty much mint aside from two small chips I found.

Goood purchase then!

Note that if you have weeds on your lake, you may have to get a "weed fin", raked backwards so that the weeds do not get stuck in it.

Things like ravesports.com/weed-fin-20901

Also, you should not use a leash on inland waters, they can be a lethal liability if they get stuck on something, or just a pain with weeds.

Looking at the picture, the chip might allow some moisture in. I would get something on/in it. Maybe just a tiny dab of UV Epoxy.

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colas said..
Also, you should not use a leash on inland waters, they can be a lethal liability if they get stuck on something, or just a pain with weeds.

I am curious about that statement. I have mostly paddled inland on lakes and nearly everyone uses leashes. Winds blow boards away from you inland just usually not quite as fast. Everyone uses coiled leashes on flat water, so weeds and dragging in the water aren't problems. Even a straight leash hanging in the water would just stop you if it hung up on something. I see being almost certain to get back to your board if you fall in as safer than not wearing a leash. Not sure what your concern is.

Leashes depend on the environment in OZ we have lakes that rarely have snags or undertow issues as they are mostly flat sand bottom salt water. Also with the size of most lakes and waterways a leash is a good idea. Coiled leashes are great. Its also good to get into the habit of being able to get your leash off in tricky situations. Dammed lakes which are shallow are very rare in NSW, jindy is the only one i can think of with underwater trees. But I am sure there are more could be more that leashes could snag, Europe is different. Unfortunately not having a leash and a lifejacket could easily lead to a fatality on the large nsw coastal lakes.

The lake I most commonly paddle on is about 14,000 acres. Very near the inlet, sometimes you can tell the water is barely moving but in most of the lake there is no discernible current. There are possible snags, but if you snagged it would be just like you tied off; it wouldn't straighten a coiled leash or anything. It is not uncommon for it to get breezy out in open areas and an unleashed board could get away from you pretty quickly, especially an iSUP. There are a lot of power boats and it is a lot easier for them to see you standing on a SUP than bobbing around on the surface after your SUP blew away. All the instructors I have seen on our inland lakes stress wearing leashes for safety.

Sooo this board

It seems to be level with the water. Stand slightly back, back under water.

It's a real dog in the water compared to the other paddle boarders I met today who were stood high and dry and paddled effortlessly.

Seems dry if I tip it, no noise of water sloshing etc.

Ideas?

If it's your first ever sup it is too small for you. It's made for someone with experience or good for a smaller person just starting out. Either persevere and understand you will be frustrated for a while or sell it and get a larger board.

Thanks for the reply :)

...how much smaller? I'm 78kg / 5'9"

Website says:

"This is an idea board for an average/heavy guy looking to progress to a smaller sub 10ft board. Its very popular as a womens 1st board."

As the website said " for someone looking to progress to a sub 10foot" if this is your first board, you have chosen a board that will be challenging. You will find it will get easier with time but you have chosen a difficult route. Most people your size would start off with a larger board than yours or at least one with a more stable shape.

Thanks again for replying ;)

It's not the stability so much, it's how it sits IN the water and not ON the water.

It's like I'm 120kgs or something...

(Your post sort of contradicts the website though, as it says a starter board for women - why would they suggest women take the hard route?)

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whatSUPmatey said..
Thanks again for replying ;)

It's not the stability so much, it's how it sits IN the water and not ON the water.

It's like I'm 120kgs or something...

(Your post sort of contradicts the website though, as it says a starter board for women - why would they suggest women take the hard route?)

Women are generally a lot smaller than men.

Looks like a really fun board and you got a good deal on it. The problem for you is that it's not really a board for paddling on flat water/ cruising- it's a surf SUP and so designed to sink into the water to give control on the wave. Therefore it will be slow and a bit of a dog on flat water. My flat water all round board at your weight is over 250 litres in volume.
Yours will work for cruising but will always be slow and a bit wobbly.

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bluerocket said..
Looks like a really fun board and you got a good deal on it. The problem for you is that it's not really a board for paddling on flat water/ cruising- it's a surf SUP and so designed to sink into the water to give control on the wave. Therefore it will be slow and a bit of a dog on flat water. My flat water all round board at your weight is over 250 litres in volume.
Yours will work for cruising but will always be slow and a bit wobbly.

Thanks, that explains it perfectly.

FOR SALE :(

I'll never surf on it.

Ahhh well, we live and learn!

What's a good board for me with my usage/weight etc?

Have to sell/swap this first though.

On the plus side I reckon you could turn a good profit on selling it as it was a bargain! Or keep the paddle and just sell the board. There are loads of good flat water boards out there which will paddle really quick and be lovely and stable. Generally the longer they are the faster they will paddle- for stability 30 inch width is really good, or a bit over. Good luck with the search

There will be people here better than me to advise you on a flat water board as I mostly surf SUP, for reference my flat water/ fishing/ touring/ camping board is 12 foot x 31 and will easily float me, my two girls and dog all at the same time

Very helpful - cheers!

The volume of mine is only 137! That explains the sinking ha ha.

I've posted it on here for swaps (takes 48hrs it says) - maybe someone can upgrade to this $2000+ board and I can get what I want too :)