Just wondering, and I am sure this has been "mildly" touched on before, but do you need a board with a rudder and if so what are the benefits and is a longer board better? like 16 foot compared to 14 or 12 and half foot? This is all new to me and the day I get back from India I wanna get one so would be grateful for any advice? Cheers

In simple terms the longer the board the faster it should go.

The rudder is a personal choice I had one put in my 14' (along with a standard fin box) for general paddling. There not allowed to be used during racing in the 12'6" and 14' classes but they are in the unlimited one - if your going to race in the unlimited class you might as well get one no point in not.

Have a good demo of what out there when you get back there's 2 or 3 guys in Qld doing custom boards (DC, Deep, Lani Kai, others?) which are pretty price competitive and there's the standard pop outs as well.

Your size and what kind of paddling you would like to do will guide you down the path of what board you'll end up choosing.

14' without rudder is what I recommend.. and there's one particular brand that makes a beauty..

DJ

Select to expand quote

kyron said...

Just wondering, and I am sure this has been "mildly" touched on before, but do you need a board with a rudder and if so what are the benefits and is a longer board better? like 16 foot compared to 14 or 12 and half foot? This is all new to me and the day I get back from India I wanna get one so would be grateful for any advice? Cheers

hi, you probably need to think about what type for dw you are looking at ie- bop style, big stuff, low/small conditions, where you are going to be doing most of your paddling- a lot of difference say between the tweed and gold coast. tweed you might be looking for a more rockered board , goldie is generally more groomed and lower winds, so a lower rocker could be the go

so many options, but in the ocean stuff, try and get a rudder
cheers

rudder or not? my choice up to 14' would be no rudder.
I have a 16 with a rudder and a 16 without (there was one but I took it off for a fix fin)
My opinion is that if you do it for fun, no racing and won't get out with a side win because it's boring anyway, you don't need to have a rudder and it makes your board a lot cheaper and the maintenance easier.
Looking at your video I am sure you'll like to go out when it's very rough and then the 16+ plus with rudder can make it very difficult to go through the shore break without damaging them.
I'll say 14 no rudder and give a call to rob Pirie. He got his first DW board lately (14') so he can give you the opinion of a long time SUP user starting DW only now

here's one way to look at rudders. ask people who did the excel race, whether they were serious or just doing it for fun and who didn't have rudders,how their right arms and shoulders felt after the paddle.
cheers

I agree lacey, that's why I think rudders are good if you want to race.
If you just do DW for pleasure when the conditions are good ...it's less important

Select to expand quote

laceys lane said...

here's one way to look at rudders. ask people who did the excel race, whether they were serious or just doing it for fun and who didn't have rudders,how their right arms and shoulders felt after the paddle.
cheers

It didnt feel anyone was there just for the fun of it...

I did it without rudder, right arm and shoulder were hurting to say the least, but were good enough to lift the free beer at the finish
The right equipment would have helped... it always does anyway.

Is there anyone in WA/perth building custom Downwind boards? What are our options over here for 14' plus boards?

Naish, Starboard, any other major popouts or order a custom from the eastcoast?

Cheers

Cheers everyone, do any pop outs come with rudders? Also, is the main reason for a rudder to compensate against which side you are paddling on to keep perfectly straight and if so would that create drag because of always being at a different angle to the board?
Thanks again for your help guys, it has given me something to think about!

Select to expand quote

kyron said...

Cheers everyone, do any pop outs come with rudders? Also, is the main reason for a rudder to compensate against which side you are paddling on to keep perfectly straight and if so would that create drag because of always being at a different angle to the board?
Thanks again for your help guys, it has given me something to think about!

Another benefit of the rudder not yet mentioned is that when on bumps you can use it to steer to parts of the bump that allow you to extend your glide. You use it quite frequently in this way. Even just on waves in and out you steer the board around with the rudder. It's really quite a good tool.

Select to expand quote

CMC said...

kyron said...

Cheers everyone, do any pop outs come with rudders? Also, is the main reason for a rudder to compensate against which side you are paddling on to keep perfectly straight and if so would that create drag because of always being at a different angle to the board?
Thanks again for your help guys, it has given me something to think about!

Another benefit of the rudder not yet mentioned is that when on bumps you can use it to steer to parts of the bump that allow you to extend your glide. You use it quite frequently in this way. Even just on waves in and out you steer the board around with the rudder. It's really quite a good tool.

i was just going to say that next.i use it all the time, part of the skill chasing those bumps. kyron, yes the fin will drag a bit.you only need to tap the rudder for a bit when chasing. second is i'll put up with a bit of drag when off setting swell and wind when it's not perfect rather than be paddling on one side the whole time. mate it's even handy coming into the alley even on a dream day
it's not contest having a rudder on any board over 14' and you should consider one one a 14 too. some makers give you steering and a fin box on their 14's- best of both worlds
cheers

Select to expand quote

shunter said...

Is there anyone in WA/perth building custom Downwind boards? What are our options over here for 14' plus boards?

Naish, Starboard, any other major popouts or order a custom from the eastcoast?

Cheers

I checked around earlier in the year if anyone over here custom builds DW boards and found no-one. I ended up getting a Naish 17 from over east. Theres a few different DW boards over here now so keep an eye out for when we post a DW and come and try the 17

thanks jenkz.

Select to expand quote

jenkz said...

shunter said...

Is there anyone in WA/perth building custom Downwind boards? What are our options over here for 14' plus boards?

Naish, Starboard, any other major popouts or order a custom from the eastcoast?

Cheers

I checked around earlier in the year if anyone over here custom builds DW boards and found no-one. I ended up getting a Naish 17 from over east. Theres a few different DW boards over here now so keep an eye out for when we post a DW and come and try the 17

Pretty sure DC boards have shipped a couple over to WA

Got a Naish 14 I will not be using for a while

Have a paddle if you want

Thanks Hilly, I get in touch when I am back paddling myself... hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

What was the verdict from the knee doc?

Select to expand quote

shunter said...

Thanks Hilly, I get in touch when I am back paddling myself... hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

What was the verdict from the knee doc?

****ed

Select to expand quote

hilly said...

shunter said...

Thanks Hilly, I get in touch when I am back paddling myself... hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

What was the verdict from the knee doc?

****ed

Bugger.....
You be back on board for the Rotto race in January?

Sorry to hear your injured Hilly.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery

Phill and Kristi