why are there no flat water unlimiteds being made?

I feel like we have it all wrong in this sport. we should be wanting to go as fast as possible On flat water just like the push for unlimiteds in the ocean at the moment. (Although I think the long term future in down winding will be foils)
Flat water shouldn't we have longer boards longer water line pushing that glide further with ease going faster
16/17/18 feet with steering.

Europe and America have a lot of flat water racers anyone know is there unlimited classes in these racers?

G'day Andy you already know my LOW PRESSURE 18'2'' is also a Flatwater Board. If you're a strong enough paddler you can do a 6 minute k in Flatwater on this board with ease, it's been proven.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/LOW-PRESSURE-182-unlimited-2

I'm over here on Maui Andy the wind is Nuking on Maliko.

I saw a DEEP 17'6 Flatwater Unlimited on the weekend paddle loop. Think he did the 4.2km in 25min from memory.

Maybe not enough market/demand and the only way is custom or mod the existing board.

Starboard had one but withdrew it this year, not doubt due to low demand.

I've a 17'7 flatwater fast cruising board on its way for a price very similar to some of the big brand names 14' versions.

If you're not racing, why wouldn't you get the fastest thing you can for what you do?

We (Sunova) just made a 19' Flatwater specific unlimited for a customer in America..

Personally i don't feel the market is big enough to warrant all the big boys putting out a production flatwater unlimited..

Even for us being one of the smaller players and having our own production facility it doesn't really make sense, retailers want boards they can turn over and make money on not a ridiculously expensive risk that they don't know if they will actually sell...

That being said it doesn't mean we can't make them, or they aren't able to be ordered custom, it's just not something i ever see being viable for production..

Cheers,

Dylan

There are quite a few ONE flatwater unlimiteds bound for oz right now.

They are around and available.
The consumer dictates what is sold.

As Angie just said yes there are some very exciting things happing on the big board front and it's not far away!!

At ONE we will step out side the normal and in the next week or so we should have a few exciting 2018 releases that most brand just won't do!!

Yes it is expensive to always be hunting that something faster or more stable but lucky we love the challenge.
Want something differnt just hit us up!!

Good to hear some responses.

in Aus.
I know there is a few flat water racers around even more so at club levels around the country there is plenty and plenty of time trial type sessions. yet everyone paddles 14. I'm not a huge fan of flat water but I reckon paddling an unlimited would interest me simply knowning I'm going faster than I used to on a 14.

I know you guys at ONE are pushing the unlimited scene in the ocean and the momentum seems to be working for ocean racers. In QLD and WA already going well with it.

Is this a case of "hey if 3 or 4 people have flat water unlimiteds" will race organisers add an unlimited class to their flat water race like they are starting to do for ocean racers?

I reckon the minute that happens and money is handed over to "first over the line on any board length" the push for unlimiteds flat water in Aus will explode. And the sponsored riders will then hopefully push their board makers to come up with the goods.

the question will be what length. Unlimited to me means any length but I assume there would be a limit that you would go before it's a disadvantage ie is 24foot to long to handle? to heavy? To hard to turn?
What is that magic length for a flat water board? 16/17/18/19/20??

And going away from the racing scene going long seems to just make sense. I know I'd rather be paddling something 17/18 with the right design for training flat water in the canals or bay when flat over my 14 fanatic falcon. going unlimited length starts to get me more excited about some huge touring trips that I'd love to do.

I guess it will be customs from sunnova/deep/DC/JM/ONE/Low pressure in Aus that will start this push off and dominate.

Flat deck or canoe style what's better at this long length?

The next few months sound exciting. Being a larger guy it is hard not to love unlimited boards.

It's great to hear there are a few more options coming for the new season.

Perhaps an allround unlimited may appear ?

There will be some surprises.

What's not to love ?

just guessing, I think a 16' length would be a sweet spot for the logistic dramas and a little easy to manual maneuver than longer boards unless you introduce steering rudder. I'm looking forward to be paddling a looong skinny stick one day

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crazybula said..

Perhaps an allround unlimited may appear ?

Although most are aimed at downwind, lots of unlimiteds make a good all round board.
The old Naish 17' Glide goes very nicely upwind and down in flat or chop.

Naish Javelin LE 17 excellent all rounder.


Any of the DC Unlimiteds do all round well.


Even a 17'4" SIC Bullet can make a good all round board if you enjoy a degree of pain.
You don't have to wait for new boards or spend a fortune either - current buy and sell has at least one 17' Glide, a couple of NSP DC 17'10", 3 x DC unlimiteds, and 4 Bullets.

Will be good to see some new interesting boards hitting the market though.

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Nozza said..

crazybula said..

Perhaps an allround unlimited may appear ?

Although most are aimed at downwind, lots of unlimiteds make a good all round board.
The old Naish 17' Glide goes very nicely upwind and down in flat or chop.

Naish Javelin LE 17 excellent all rounder.


Any of the DC Unlimiteds do all round well.


Even a 17'4" SIC Bullet can make a good all round board if you enjoy a degree of pain.
You don't have to wait for new boards or spend a fortune either - current buy and sell has at least one 17' Glide, a couple of NSP DC 17'10", 3 x DC unlimiteds, and 4 Bullets.

Will be good to see some new interesting boards hitting the market though.

There were 5 Bullets, but mine is going to a new home.

I will miss her terribly, but she will be replaced by something....different .Unlimiteds are the schizzle.

Sunova recently made this 18' custom for a customer who is racing in the Hawkesbury Classic.
The 18'er is modelled of the 14'er in the foreground.
Sunova have also recently designed one for the Chatterjack Race in the US. I will try and get some pics.

17'6" x 23" Deep Unlimited. Sub 6 min/kms on flatwater. Looks like some very similar design concepts to Lincoln Dews' flatwater board. Just 5' longer.

Now this is the ultimate flatwater SUP the SIC STANDAMARAN
if you're a good paddler you'll go well under a 6 minute kilometre with ease in the flat.

Because flatwater paddling is so, so boring. I love paddling the STANDI it makes is just so easy. head wind tail wind it doesn't matter.

Last week there was no surf and no wind and I know the M2M 43km race is on in like 2 weeks so I paddled in the Burleigh canal for like 4 hours I did 37km thank f@#k I was on the STANDI it made life so much easier paddle training in the canal.

I've even done a Maliko Downwind run on the STANDI in 10-15 knots and the STANDI kept up with the Bullet. then coming into the Kahului Harbour the wind picked up to like 25 knots so guys on the Bullets were lying down paddling I was still Standing Up paddling with no trouble at all.


Maliko was so good yesterday all the locals where saying thats the best it's been all year.

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crazybula said..
The next few months sound exciting. Being a larger guy it is hard not to love unlimited boards.

It's great to hear there are a few more options coming for the new season.

Perhaps an allround unlimited may appear ?

There will be some surprises.

What's not to love ?

Orh yeah!!!!!

is 14 history?
better start buying a truck to carry those longer sticks

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AusDaz said..
17'6" x 23" Deep Unlimited. Sub 6 min/kms on flatwater. Looks like some very similar design concepts to Lincoln Dews' flatwater board. Just 5' longer.

Have you got some more photos.
Looks great.

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Downwinder said..
Now this is the ultimate flatwater SUP the SIC STANDAMARAN
if you're a good paddler you'll go well under a 6 minute kilometre with ease in the flat.

Because flatwater paddling is so, so boring. I love paddling the STANDI it makes is just so easy. head wind tail wind it doesn't matter.

Last week there was no surf and no wind and I know the M2M 43km race is on in like 2 weeks so I paddled in the Burleigh canal for like 4 hours I did 37km thank f@#k I was on the STANDI it made life so much easier paddle training in the canal.

I've even done a Maliko Downwind run on the STANDI in 10-15 knots and the STANDI kept up with the Bullet. then coming into the Kahului Harbour the wind picked up to like 25 knots so guys on the Bullets were lying down paddling I was still Standing Up paddling with no trouble at all.


Maliko was so good yesterday all the locals where saying thats the best it's been all year.

That's awesome Phil! I forgot you got the standi over in Aus. I need to come down the GC when your back and paddle that thing man!
Sounds like Hawaii another great year for you in the history books. You are living life the right way champ!

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AusDaz said..
17'6" x 23" Deep Unlimited. Sub 6 min/kms on flatwater. Looks like some very similar design concepts to Lincoln Dews' flatwater board. Just 5' longer.

Now this is what I'm talking about! I had heard about this board but not seen it! Epic love it! Any more pictures? Looks like it would handle a bit of all round water conditions too?


Nozza the thing with ur unlimiteds that I don't think are great for flat water is the shapes have you loosing length in the water line there is less than 16foot on those boards actually touching the water. Something flatter shaped will be faster through the water


I'd love to see an unlimited 17/18 of the latest fanatic strike. That shape stretched out would be a winner for me.

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AndyR said..

I'd love to see an unlimited 17/18 of the latest fanatic strike. That shape stretched out would be a winner for me.

is this a hint AndyR?

I'm sure there will be some new shapes for Molokai this year that will favour allround racing.

This rocket left the factory in a container yesterday, with the stability and speed of the current Sunova 14' Flatwater Faast Pro this thing will fly

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AndyR said..
Good to hear some responses.

in Aus.
I know there is a few flat water racers around even more so at club levels around the country there is plenty and plenty of time trial type sessions. yet everyone paddles 14. I'm not a huge fan of flat water but I reckon paddling an unlimited would interest me simply knowning I'm going faster than I used to on a 14.

I know you guys at ONE are pushing the unlimited scene in the ocean and the momentum seems to be working for ocean racers. In QLD and WA already going well with it.

Is this a case of "hey if 3 or 4 people have flat water unlimiteds" will race organisers add an unlimited class to their flat water race like they are starting to do for ocean racers?

I reckon the minute that happens and money is handed over to "first over the line on any board length" the push for unlimiteds flat water in Aus will explode. And the sponsored riders will then hopefully push their board makers to come up with the goods.

the question will be what length. Unlimited to me means any length but I assume there would be a limit that you would go before it's a disadvantage ie is 24foot to long to handle? to heavy? To hard to turn?
What is that magic length for a flat water board? 16/17/18/19/20??

And going away from the racing scene going long seems to just make sense. I know I'd rather be paddling something 17/18 with the right design for training flat water in the canals or bay when flat over my 14 fanatic falcon. going unlimited length starts to get me more excited about some huge touring trips that I'd love to do.

I guess it will be customs from sunnova/deep/DC/JM/ONE/Low pressure in Aus that will start this push off and dominate.

Flat deck or canoe style what's better at this long length?

The board I have coming is a 17'7" dugout. The length was limited only by what I can fit in the garage. Dugout to lower centre of gravity. Got talked out of a rudder, but will be able to retrofit if it's really needed.

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KellyM said..
This rocket left the factory in a container yesterday, with the stability and speed of the current Sunova 14' Flatwater Faast Pro this thing will fly

Kelly this looks epic mate,
can i ask 19foot long whose idea for that length and why this length over say anywhere between 17-20 long

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AndyR said..

Nozza the thing with ur unlimiteds that I don't think are great for flat water is the shapes have you loosing length in the water line there is less than 16foot on those boards actually touching the water. Something flatter shaped will be faster through the water

Was suggesting these as all round possibles, rather than flat water specific

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magillamelb said..
Got talked out of a rudder, but will be able to retrofit if it's really needed.

From paddling the less rockered boards, anything with the nose engaged in the water doesn't really want to turn with the rudder, so you've probably made the right call. If you're flatwater , cross wind / chop less likely to need rudder correction too.

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KellyM said..
This rocket left the factory in a container yesterday, with the stability and speed of the current Sunova 14' Flatwater Faast Pro this thing will fly

Damn, somebody beat me to it...
It's an arms race now.