Hi. I'm new here. I have had an inflatable for two years and love paddling on the lake where I live and anywhere else that is suitable.
My inflatable is 9'9" and 5" thick. I've recently had a few paddles on my son's Niash Mana 10' x 33" x 4 3/4". It is far more stable and handles the breezey choppy conditions so much better than my inflatable!
So I'm looking at getting a soft top as probably better for me than a hard top as I've just turned 70 and weigh approx 80kg.
I've seen a second-hand O&E Squeeze that is 10'2" x 32" x 4 1/2"
Would this be a stable as the 10' Mana?
Thanks for your thoughts ??

With the Squeeze being about 10 litres less in volume and also an inch narrower I'd say that it would not be as stable as the 10' Mana.. Rocker can also effect stability even if they are exactly the same length, width and volume.. You might also notice a big difference in things like weight, stiffness, deck pad comfort/grip and the handle.. Even outline like nose and tail shape can effect stability.. Try and demo it first if you can.. btw Naish do make a 10' Mana in a soft top version..

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/SUP-for-my-wife?page=1

On a lake, you do not need a soft top, as pads already cover most of the surface on "hard" top, it will just add weight when wet.

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colas said..
On a lake, you do not need a soft top, as pads already cover most of the surface on "hard" top, it will just add weight when wet.

Okay so that will enable me more options. Weight is a big factor for me.
I want to try to buy secondhand to save some dollars ??
I'll keep looking ??

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DavidJohn said..
With the Squeeze being about 10 litres less in volume and also an inch narrower I'd say that it would not be as stable as the 10' Mana.. Rocker can also effect stability even if they are exactly the same length, width and volume.. You might also notice a big difference in things like weight, stiffness, deck pad comfort/grip and the handle.. Even outline like nose and tail shape can effect stability.. Try and demo it first if you can.. btw Naish do make a 10' Mana in a soft top version..

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/SUP-for-my-wife?page=1

Thanks. So much to think about ????

You want:
- length for paddling comfort: a long board will keep on gliding between paddle strokes, which is so enjoyable. Typically 10'+
- width for lateral stability: the 33" width of the Mana you tried is what gave it its stability. Note that widths at the tips is also important, pointed nose and tails are unstable.
- pointed, "boat-like" noses are the best for piercing chop... but they are less stable.

And the bigger the board, the heavier. Compromises...

Like DJ said, try to demo (in chop) first, and try to exchange boards with any paddler you meet...

Select to expand quote

DavidJohn said..
With the Squeeze being about 10 litres less in volume and also an inch narrower I'd say that it would not be as stable as the 10' Mana.. Rocker can also effect stability even if they are exactly the same length, width and volume.. You might also notice a big difference in things like weight, stiffness, deck pad comfort/grip and the handle.. Even outline like nose and tail shape can effect stability.. Try and demo it first if you can.. btw Naish do make a 10' Mana in a soft top version..

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/SUP-for-my-wife?page=1

Thanks. So much to think about ????

Select to expand quote

colas said..
You want:
- length for paddling comfort: a long board will keep on gliding between paddle strokes, which is so enjoyable. Typically 10'+
- width for lateral stability: the 33" width of the Mana you tried is what gave it its stability. Note that widths at the tips is also important, pointed nose and tails are unstable.
- pointed, "boat-like" noses are the best for piercing chop... but they are less stable.

And the bigger the board, the heavier. Compromises...

Like DJ said, try to demo (in chop) first, and try to exchange boards with any paddler you meet...

Thanks. I much appreciate this knowledge
I'm not in a hurry and it's important to get what's best for me with compromises if necessary

Select to expand quote

DavidJohn said..
With the Squeeze being about 10 litres less in volume and also an inch narrower I'd say that it would not be as stable as the 10' Mana.. Rocker can also effect stability even if they are exactly the same length, width and volume.. You might also notice a big difference in things like weight, stiffness, deck pad comfort/grip and the handle.. Even outline like nose and tail shape can effect stability.. Try and demo it first if you can.. btw Naish do make a 10' Mana in a soft top version..

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/SUP-for-my-wife?page=1

Thanks. So much to think about ????

Select to expand quote

colas said..
You want:
- length for paddling comfort: a long board will keep on gliding between paddle strokes, which is so enjoyable. Typically 10'+
- width for lateral stability: the 33" width of the Mana you tried is what gave it its stability. Note that widths at the tips is also important, pointed nose and tails are unstable.
- pointed, "boat-like" noses are the best for piercing chop... but they are less stable.

And the bigger the board, the heavier. Compromises...

Like DJ said, try to demo (in chop) first, and try to exchange boards with any paddler you meet...

Thanks. I much appreciate this knowledge
I'm not in a hurry and it's important to get what's best for me with compromises if necessary

I am going to suggest a completely different direction to pursue. My wife and I are 71 so we are about your age. We have owned more than a dozen different boards over the years and currently have a lot of different boards for different purposes. Our SUP surfboards range from 7'11" x 31" @110 liters to 8'8" x 31" x 4" @ 125 liters. Our downwind boards are 14" x 29" x 7.5" @ 315 liters. Most relevant for you are our lake touring boards that are around 12' x 30" x6.5" @ at around 250 liters. These lake boards are displacement hull touring boards that are quite stable and have amazing glide and speed on flat water. There is no comparison between the pleasure of a displacement hull touring board slicing effortlessly through the water and an all-round board like the Mana which will plow through the water with limited speed and glide. If you plan on taking your board out into the surf at some point, an all-rounder like the Mana makes total sense. If you do not expect to go out in the surf, all-round boards have a lot of compromises compared to paddling a displacement hull that is designed to slice through the water instead of plow. The one downside is the weight issue you mentioned. A good quality touring board around 12' X 30 will come in at around 28-29 pounds which is a lot to carry but is worth it once you are on the water.
As you said, so much to think about.

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obijohn said..
I am going to suggest a completely different direction to pursue. My wife and I are 71 so we are about your age. We have owned more than a dozen different boards over the years and currently have a lot of different boards for different purposes. Our SUP surfboards range from 7'11" x 31" @110 liters to 8'8" x 31" x 4" @ 125 liters. Our downwind boards are 14" x 29" x 7.5" @ 315 liters. Most relevant for you are our lake touring boards that are around 12' x 30" x6.5" @ at around 250 liters. These lake boards are displacement hull touring boards that are quite stable and have amazing glide and speed on flat water. There is no comparison between the pleasure of a displacement hull touring board slicing effortlessly through the water and an all-round board like the Mana which will plow through the water with limited speed and glide. If you plan on taking your board out into the surf at some point, an all-rounder like the Mana makes total sense. If you do not expect to go out in the surf, all-round boards have a lot of compromises compared to paddling a displacement hull that is designed to slice through the water instead of plow. The one downside is the weight issue you mentioned. A good quality touring board around 12' X 30 will come in at around 28-29 pounds which is a lot to carry but is worth it once you are on the water.
As you said, so much to think about.

Thanks obijohn,
As you said so much too think on..
I have a few factors to consider when deciding the length

1. Storage
2. Carrying it on top of our Ford Ranger when we have our small fifth wheeler on the back.
I can't see myself ever trying to catch a wave as even though we've always lived on the coast and my husband surfed, I never have been a surfer.
We now live in a over 55s village and I only have to walk approx 50 metres to put my sup in the lake
I could get a sup trolley I guess if it meant getting a heavier board that will give me a better flat water experience.
I would also sup on the ocean on flat sea days.
Still thinking...
Still looking..
Still deciding...

Select to expand quote

Thanks obijohn,
As you said so much too think on..

I have a few factors to consider when deciding the length

1. Storage

2. Carrying it on top of our Ford Ranger when we have our small fifth wheeler on the back.

I can't see myself ever trying to catch a wave as even though we've always lived on the coast and my husband surfed, I never have been a surfer.

We now live in a over 55s village and I only have to walk approx 50 metres to put my sup in the lake

I could get a sup trolley I guess if it meant getting a heavier board that will give me a better flat water experience.

I would also sup on the ocean on flat sea days.

Still thinking...

Still looking..

Still deciding...

Select to expand quote

Thanks obijohn,
As you said so much too think on..

I have a few factors to consider when deciding the length

1. Storage

2. Carrying it on top of our Ford Ranger when we have our small fifth wheeler on the back.

I can't see myself ever trying to catch a wave as even though we've always lived on the coast and my husband surfed, I never have been a surfer.

We now live in a over 55s village and I only have to walk approx 50 metres to put my sup in the lake

I could get a sup trolley I guess if it meant getting a heavier board that will give me a better flat water experience.

I would also sup on the ocean on flat sea days.

Still thinking...

Still looking..

Still deciding...

Select to expand quote

Thanks obijohn,
As you said so much too think on..

I have a few factors to consider when deciding the length

1. Storage

2. Carrying it on top of our Ford Ranger when we have our small fifth wheeler on the back.

I can't see myself ever trying to catch a wave as even though we've always lived on the coast and my husband surfed, I never have been a surfer.

We now live in a over 55s village and I only have to walk approx 50 metres to put my sup in the lake

I could get a sup trolley I guess if it meant getting a heavier board that will give me a better flat water experience.

I would also sup on the ocean on flat sea days.

Still thinking...

Still looking..

Still deciding...

Select to expand quote

Thanks obijohn,
As you said so much too think on..

I have a few factors to consider when deciding the length

1. Storage

2. Carrying it on top of our Ford Ranger when we have our small fifth wheeler on the back.

I can't see myself ever trying to catch a wave as even though we've always lived on the coast and my husband surfed, I never have been a surfer.

We now live in a over 55s village and I only have to walk approx 50 metres to put my sup in the lake

I could get a sup trolley I guess if it meant getting a heavier board that will give me a better flat water experience.

I would also sup on the ocean on flat sea days.

Still thinking...

Still looking..

Still deciding...

Select to expand quote

Thanks obijohn,
As you said so much too think on..

I have a few factors to consider when deciding the length

1. Storage

2. Carrying it on top of our Ford Ranger when we have our small fifth wheeler on the back.

I can't see myself ever trying to catch a wave as even though we've always lived on the coast and my husband surfed, I never have been a surfer.

We now live in a over 55s village and I only have to walk approx 50 metres to put my sup in the lake

I could get a sup trolley I guess if it meant getting a heavier board that will give me a better flat water experience.

I would also sup on the ocean on flat sea days.

Still thinking...

Still looking..

Still deciding...

"I can't see myself ever trying to catch a wave" ==> follow "obijhon" advice

And if transporting and storing a 12'6"+ hard board is too much of a hassle, a good cruising 12'6+ inflatable board by a reputable brand (avoid the "supermarket" ones!), will be night and day compared to your current board.

Have a look at www.supboardguide.com/best-inflatable-paddle-board-reviews/
(this is just an example, the first google hit for "best inflatable SUP chop", there are many others)
Do not pay attention to just the rankings of trusting these reviews for designing a "winner", but look at the details on how the boards
handle chop, the weights that can vary a lot, etc... not inflatable boards are the same.

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Thanks Colas
I will check out the inflatable market

Trish we're r u located. I have nice Odysseus naish would be good upgrade. It is 2016 9ft 8 one.

pump.

Also annoconda has Black Friday sale on Sup inflatables. I love beast. 499 it's quite stiff too. Will bob in chop though.

which lake do you paddle?