Curious to see if there are any SUPs with stepped rails like the Infinity Blurr V2 available in Australia.

The other option would be to purchase direct from Infinity but I can't really justify or take the risk paying that much without having a try of the board.

Shane they don't have a distributor here. For my height and weight I'm really looking at the 8'0-8'2.

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ghost4man said..
Curious to see if there are any SUPs with stepped rails like the Infinity Blurr V2 available in Australia.

The other option would be to purchase direct from Infinity but I can't really justify or take the risk paying that much without having a try of the board.

Shane they don't have a distributor here. For my height and weight I'm really looking at the 8'0-8'2.

Starboard spice

The Southpoint Bonga has a stepped rail..

Sunova Casey flow v2..a couple for sale on the breeze at the moment,and a few vids of them being surfed .they are getting good reviews

Sunova Casey flow has stepped rails. I like it a lot.
but don't go too small for yourself as it does affect stability a little. One of the few sups I've tried that feels like a surfboard surfing. I think it fairly similar to the blurr

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ToneJ said..
it does affect stability a little.

Yes, the board feels like a narrower board: both for paddling stability and rail-to-rail.

The advantages compared to just having a narrower board:
- more board surface to spread the volume into, allowing to reduce the overall board thickness
- the deck can be kept flat closer to the rail, making a more comfortable standing platform than a domed deck

Disadvantages:
- wider is a little bit slower to paddle
- harder to shape, glass, and sand

On paddling stability, between a narrower board with normal rails and a wider board with step rails, I do not know if there is a lot of difference.

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ToneJ said..
Sunova Casey flow has stepped rails. I like it a lot.
but don't go too small for yourself as it does affect stability a little. One of the few sups I've tried that feels like a surfboard surfing. I think it fairly similar to the blurr

The one advertised for sale is probably a bit too big.

I'm riding the 8"0 JL Destroyer which I find easy in terms of stability. From what I'm reading the Infinity has a smart design with the stepped rails but meat in the centre to add to the stability to offset the narrowing of the board. I'm surprised given its relative success in the US this design hasn't seen greater adoption elsewhere.

I think the design speaks to an attempt to leverage a more short board style by thinning the rails. To do that on a SUP requires adjustment to other parts of the SUP particularly when having to address the issue of stability.

Ozzie

I have 2 similar volume boards one with low pinched rails and one stepped I don't think the difference between rail volume is that significant compared to overall volume of board also considering the step is blended. I do like the step rail though because it looks cool and different and feels nice when you handle or carry the board having that thinner edge to grip.

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slsurf said..
I have 2 similar volume boards one with low pinched rails and one stepped I don't think the difference between rail volume is that significant compared to overall volume of board also considering the step is blended. I do like the step rail though because it looks cool and different and feels nice when you handle or carry the board having that thinner edge to grip.

I think what you say has merit. If the design is one that consists of stepped rails or overly thin ones, then the volume has to be distributed elsewhere in the board which I think is what the Infinity does well.

If you think about it, a board with stepped rails offers a narrowed space for the rider to stand on so I would intuitively anticipate more meat in that area to compensate for that. In the absence of any direct experience I do stand to be corrected.

Ozzie.

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ghost4man said..
I'm surprised given its relative success in the US this design hasn't seen greater adoption elsewhere.

It is harder to shape, glass, sand ==> more expensive.
I guess it is a question of is the performance / cost ratio seem justified for the other markets?

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colas said..

ghost4man said..
I'm surprised given its relative success in the US this design hasn't seen greater adoption elsewhere.

It is harder to shape, glass, sand ==> more expensive.
I guess it is a question of is the performance / cost ratio seem justified for the other markets?

Colas,

As always you nail it on the head. Decisions made by these companies is driven by cost and demand for the product.

I am guessing that it wasn't an obvious success here in Australia given a number of factors. The European and US markets have the population to draw from.

The question then is whether this not so typical design is worth the money compared to traditional designs which can often feel much of a muchness with just a different badge to separate one brand from another.

Yep, same for channels.
They have some benefits but also extra costs.
So it depends on each brand market. What may be worth it for Infinity may be not worth it for a brand whose customers have more budget constraints.
For example, Gong did not make channels anymore on the Fatal when it got PVC sandwich also on the bottom, I guess the building complexity (i.e. added cost) was not worth it anymore.

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DavidJohn said..
The Southpoint Bonga has a stepped rail..

DJ's photo shows the design is not new,and it did not last long first time around,probably for all the reasons that have been discussed!,yes time has passed and there have been a lot of advancements ,the design will have a fan base ,as it always has,and will be interesting to see where it goes this time around.for as long as sups have been around shapers have been trying to get a functional rail shape/ volume in their designs ,by either removing volume from the deck down,steprail, or from the bottom up,chines and bevels ,Blane Chambers in the past ,and Infinity's latest compact design ,as I personally need stability,I tend not go down this path as I love well balanced and proportionate/functional designs based on stability/ comfort /performance that have been refined over time ,but as a surfcraft design follower ,I love seeing the designs that come and go,an tip my hat to all having the passion to continue moving design and the sport/ lifestyle we all love,forward

the newer Sunona flows have the rails you seek ,it does make it tippier
but the board feels more like a short board ,not to mention the fantastic grip on the face of the wave ,I had a black custom flow built
I love the thin rail now

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Tardy said..
the newer Sunona flows have the rails you seek ,it does make it tippier
but the board feels more like a short board ,not to mention the fantastic grip on the face of the wave ,I had a black custom flow built
I love the thin rail now

Do you have more photos you could post.

Hard to tell with reflection and lighting.

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Tardy said..

Honestly looking at the above photos I would have to say there is a marked difference between the Sunova and the Infinity Blurr range in terms of stepped rails.

No comment here on performance by the way. I have no knowledge of either and clearly both brands come with solid praise.

Mate Ive ridden most of the naish boards and most of the sunova boards ,This is the board for me ,its just got **** loads of performance ,and does everything well ,if you like throwing your board around its for you ,I've talked 2 people into buying one and they have not regretted it either ,how the rails really shine is on the take off just a quick squirt on the back leg and you don't even have to go to the bottom of the rough it just cuts in and takes off like a little rocket ,it turn well and fast ,that's what i love about it ,

A lot of good feedback on stepped rails. I have two boards with stepped rails and I am a big fan.

Are you looking for the stability, the performance of the step, or a combination of both?

Even if you are not interested in buying, check out the L41. Specifically, the ST, the Pop Dart, and the Bruce Wayne. All L41's (except the LB) have steps. The progress from more stability/less performance to less stability/more performance.

The ST is wider, less rocker, and less performance, the Bruce Wayne is the top performance model while the Pop Dart is in the middle. I would still consider all three boards high-performance but very different boards. This will be a good reference for you.

Dial in your wants and needs first. Conditions you surf, rocker, shape, stability, and then see where the step fits in. That will take some of the risk out. The step is an awesome feature but it would not be near the top of my list in choosing a board.

The Flow has an aggressive rocker, and the Blurr is more moderate. The outlines are also different. Yet both are great boards. In the end, you won't go wrong with Sunova or Infinity. Just make sure you understand the stability/performance ends with these steps.

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castawaycove said..
A lot of good feedback on stepped rails. I have two boards with stepped rails and I am a big fan.

Are you looking for the stability, the performance of the step, or a combination of both?

Even if you are not interested in buying, check out the L41. Specifically, the ST, the Pop Dart, and the Bruce Wayne. All L41's (except the LB) have steps. The progress from more stability/less performance to less stability/more performance.

The ST is wider, less rocker, and less performance, the Bruce Wayne is the top performance model while the Pop Dart is in the middle. I would still consider all three boards high-performance but very different boards. This will be a good reference for you.

Dial in your wants and needs first. Conditions you surf, rocker, shape, stability, and then see where the step fits in. That will take some of the risk out. The step is an awesome feature but it would not be near the top of my list in choosing a board.

The Flow has an aggressive rocker, and the Blurr is more moderate. The outlines are also different. Yet both are great boards. In the end, you won't go wrong with Sunova or Infinity. Just make sure you understand the stability/performance ends with these steps.

Look I think it would have to be a combination of performance and stability - recognising that within every design there is a compromise.

I'm confident when it comes to stability because I've ridden the Starboard at well under 8 foot and now the JL 8'0 so I'm not transitioning to a smaller board.

I do like the concept behind the thinner rails and I think when you do that with a SUP adjustments in other areas have to occur otherwise stability is one area that can easily be hit.

The JL is a beautiful all around board but it won't have the performance factor that say a JP Pro does but then again balance on the JP can be exceptionally problematic when the surf is bumpy as the sweet spot in feet placement becomes smaller.

What I've discovered over the years with the smaller boards is that you have to quickly dial in foot placement otherwise you tend to spend a lot of time falling in the water. I've watched how SUPs have evolved over the years. Most of us started on bigger boards only to then end up in a competition to see who could ride the smallest board.

Somce then I've seen a gradual reduction in board volume with the larger boards really benefiting from an innovative approach in design where we are now seeing boards which were traditionally well over 150L now coming in under 130L giving advantage in stability and allowing the board rider greater opportunity to throw the board around.

Still love this sport and always get a kick out of seeing a long time prone surfer transition to stand up because age has caught up with them and they still hold onto the memory of the stoke that comes with surfing.

Nice board and design Tardy you should be rippin.

But....... be very careful of leaving your new BLACK sup in the direct sun for any period of time as the sun will quickly cause a massive delamination. It will be ok in in the water but not on the land.

I know Sunova stopped putting wide back strips under their Flash model for this reason.

I know from experience so be warned keep it out of the sun, off the roof racks and out of your van/wagon for any long periods.

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wazza66 said..
Nice board and design Tardy you should be rippin.

But....... be very careful of leaving your new BLACK sup in the direct sun for any period of time as the sun will quickly cause a massive delamination. It will be ok in in the water but not on the land.

I know Sunova stopped putting wide back strips under their Flash model for this reason.

I know from experience so be warned keep it out of the sun, off the roof racks and out of your van/wagon for any long periods.

Thanks wazza ,she's over a year old now and still going strong ,,I have a nice board cover for it . its a in door board. lol,

Hi All. Slight hijacking here.
I'm saving to get the Sunova style with the stepped rail having read Creek n Tardy n other reports. Have to sell a foil board to make it happen.
Just back from Simeulue where was helping a mate sail down Sumatra coast for a month and lucked into some surf where there was no one else around and some uncrowded surf at Dylan's Rights.
As I only have a 8.2 Sunova Speeed, choosing a board wasn't an issue. However if I'd had the Sunova Style, which would I have chosen?
The speeed is well named.. Tons of speed but the Style may have more to offer from reading your posts.
Ive posted a few pics from when my mate was too tired to surf more.
I'm still saving for the Style but then have another problem. if invited back, which board to take?

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tannaman said..
Hi All. Slight hijacking here.
I'm saving to get the Sunova style with the stepped rail having read Creek n Tardy n other reports. Have to sell a foil board to make it happen.
Just back from Simeulue where was helping a mate sail down Sumatra coast for a month and lucked into some surf where there was no one else around and some uncrowded surf at Dylan's Rights.
As I only have a 8.2 Sunova Speeed, choosing a board wasn't an issue. However if I'd had the Sunova Style, which would I have chosen?
The speeed is well named.. Tons of speed but the Style may have more to offer from reading your posts.
Ive posted a few pics from when my mate was too tired to surf more.
I'm still saving for the Style but then have another problem. if invited back, which board to take?

Look it would be nice to have that availability. Like yourself I've been actively saving to get an Infinity but will have to source one directly from the US.

The chances of me being able to buy one here second hand in the 8"2 range is I am anticipating very limited.

I have a couple of boards with stepped / sharp custom style rails, Sunova flow 8.4 and steller SUP OZX 8.5, IMO stepped rails increase stability vs. rounded, I have a Blurr v2 8.2, which is more rounded than the flow, and a hipster 7.10, both these are very loose, which I prefer, but a bit tippy. Sharp rails make the board a lot more drivey IMO. If you want sharp rails then I'd recommend twin fins to keep it loose and fast, unless you're surfing good sized waves most of the time, I tried the flow on thruster, quads etc. of various sizes, but only twins made it flow.

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Daveb27 said..
I have a couple of boards with stepped / sharp custom style rails, Sunova flow 8.4 and steller SUP OZX 8.5, IMO stepped rails increase stability vs. rounded, I have a Blurr v2 8.2, which is more rounded than the flow, and a hipster 7.10, both these are very loose, which I prefer, but a bit tippy. Sharp rails make the board a lot more drivey IMO. If you want sharp rails then I'd recommend twin fins to keep it loose and fast, unless you're surfing good sized waves most of the time, I tried the flow on thruster, quads etc. of various sizes, but only twins made it flow.

How do you rate the Blurr against the other boards.

Hi, The Sunova Shroom also has stepped rails, mine is 7'6 x 29 1/8" @ 95L.
It goes off, is really loose and loves getting on a rail. It's for sale on this site if you're interested. Cheers, Steve.

Hi mate,

More looking for that fish style. Already have a hypernut as well so quite used to the square nose. Ideally an 8"0-8"2 would be my preferred choice.

Thankyou for following.

Potentially thinking about going custom. I'm wondering how close to the Infinity a custom could get.

I don't think its a technical issue any shaper could probably make a decent step rail or even copy a shape if you bring it to them. Shapers have their own ideas though and sometimes the outcome is worse if you focus too much on specifying elements of the board instead of telling them what you want it to do. If you have good access to sunova you could just order a custom flow from them since it already has a step.