Hi - I am a UK based paddler and new to this forum, though. I have read quite a few of your posts over the past couple of years. So I am here looking for some thoughts/advice on my next race board.

I am considering a Sunova Torpedo, as a go-anywhere board (50% flatwater, 30% estuary/coastal chop and i would like board to play around in the surf - 1-2ft stuff). I currently use the board I learnt on, a 27.5" JP Allwater GT.

Typically, I end up paddling on the local river/ estuary a lot of the time. So flatwater performance matters. I dont race others, but I do like to get a head of steam up.

How much performance do you sacrifice with thd Torpedo over for example, Sunova Allwater Faast Pro?

I am a tall, thick-set intermediate paddler. Weighing in at 115kg. So width would be a factor. I couldn't go below the 25.5 for the Allwater or 27 for the Torpedo.

Thanks for your thoughts on these boards!

Jay

JP Allwater 27.5
Hypr Hawaii Pono 10'

Of the two, I would pick the all water for versatility. My paddling conditions would be similar to yours. I have a dedicated ocean board for bigger swell and downwinders, but wanted a really good performance allrounder. I order a ONE Edge 3.0. I have had a crack on one in the flat and in small ocean swell and windy lake chop. They are excellent in all the conditions I mentioned. Can't wait to get mine and try it in the surf.

I haven't paddle the Torpedo, but did the JP and raced in the past.Without paddling the Torpedo you can see that the Torpedo has a slightly higher nose to cope with the surf wich means a shorter waterline= more plowing and less glide. Based on experience with similar shapes from different brands in the past I would think It will probably feel/glide like an fast 12.6 board.So It will glide a tiny bit less easy as the JP ( and JP is for its width pretty fast) and yes you would give up some max speed but I think the main question is are you pushing it all the time to your max speed? because when you are going at a normal pace in no hurry there might be an 0.2km p/h difference. important when racing maxed out but for touring who cares when just enjoying the scenery?

a 2th thing to keep in mind is because of your weight i,m not sure if you gonna like the more pin tailed Sunova. It LOOKS like the deck is less recessed making it with the pintail a bit more tippy board as your JP.

Not the one you asked about and I haven,t paddled the 2021 version but the Starboard Allstars from 2016 and later are for the bigger guys imo one of the most versatile race/tour shapes due that bottom shape and wider tail that both ad extra stability. And the surf for a an allround raceboard pretty well.

Just my 2 cents without paddling the Torpedo, but based on understanding a bit how race shapes work :)

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Jeroensurf said..
I haven't paddle the Torpedo, but did the JP and raced in the past.Without paddling the Torpedo you can see that the Torpedo has a slightly higher nose to cope with the surf wich means a shorter waterline= more plowing and less glide. Based on experience with similar shapes from different brands in the past I would think It will probably feel/glide like an fast 12.6 board.So It will glide a tiny bit less easy as the JP ( and JP is for its width pretty fast) and yes you would give up some max speed but I think the main question is are you pushing it all the time to your max speed? because when you are going at a normal pace in no hurry there might be an 0.2km p/h difference. important when racing maxed out but for touring who cares when just enjoying the scenery?

a 2th thing to keep in mind is because of your weight i,m not sure if you gonna like the more pin tailed Sunova. It LOOKS like the deck is less recessed making it with the pintail a bit more tippy board as your JP.

Not the one you asked about and I haven,t paddled the 2021 version but the Starboard Allstars from 2016 and later are for the bigger guys imo one of the most versatile race/tour shapes due that bottom shape and wider tail that both ad extra stability. And the surf for a an allround raceboard pretty well.

Just my 2 cents without paddling the Torpedo, but based on understanding a bit how race shapes work :)

Hi... thanks for your reply.

I did think about the Allstar. But they are like hens-teeth. Plus, I hear the new shape is a little less stable (primary buoyancy, at least).

Good point the pintail and stability.

Speed. Yes, I'm not out to win any races. But I do tend to paddle flat out most of the time. Something about my lifestyle, busy with kids. So I get on the water and put my head down. To get the most of my hour on the water.

Thanks,

Jay

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mickeyb said..
Of the two, I would pick the all water for versatility. My paddling conditions would be similar to yours. I have a dedicated ocean board for bigger swell and downwinders, but wanted a really good performance allrounder. I order a ONE Edge 3.0. I have had a crack on one in the flat and in small ocean swell and windy lake chop. They are excellent in all the conditions I mentioned. Can't wait to get mine and try it in the surf.

Hi ... thanks for your msg.

I have to say, One is not a brand I know very much about. They are only recently on sale in the UK and Supboarder mag did a short intro to them.

As an ex-ski paddler, the designs seem familiar. The tails at any rate.

How popular are Infinity boards in Australia?

My biggest requirement is build quality. A board that will last a few years would be nice!

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jay087m said..

mickeyb said..
Of the two, I would pick the all water for versatility. My paddling conditions would be similar to yours. I have a dedicated ocean board for bigger swell and downwinders, but wanted a really good performance allrounder. I order a ONE Edge 3.0. I have had a crack on one in the flat and in small ocean swell and windy lake chop. They are excellent in all the conditions I mentioned. Can't wait to get mine and try it in the surf.

Hi ... thanks for your msg.

I have to say, One is not a brand I know very much about. They are only recently on sale in the UK and Supboarder mag did a short intro to them.

As an ex-ski paddler, the designs seem familiar. The tails at any rate.

How popular are Infinity boards in Australia?

My biggest requirement is build quality. A board that will last a few years would be nice!

If you are in the UK try and have a chat with the crew at The SUP co as they import the ONE boards and if Quality is your number 1 then this is what we are about. All the production boards are fully molded PVC sandwiched and built to last. They usually have a pretty good demo fleet as well so you will get to test many of the models out.

I have the Allwater Faast Pro 14 x 27.5". Im around 98 kilograms right now and it is a versatile board that would be fine for the conditions you describe. It is definitely a dug out board in the standing area and the deck gradually rises up out the back. I am finding it to be quite stable. There is a decent rocker line but you have to use footwork in down wind conditions. Both the Torpedo and Allwater are pintails, with the Torpedo having less volume overall, specifically up front and it has more rocker, and it is a recessed deck opposed to a a dug out with the Allwater.

i haven't been able to try the Torpedo yet but have a friend on these forums who has one, and he has tried the Allwater 14 x 25.5". The Torpedo is a actually quite versatile and not that bad on the flats from what i have heard. You just need the right width for your size and skill level.

Infinity are not that popular here. Starboard and Infinity used to have a decent presence in Australia. We don't see very many new Infinity's now and SB have dropped right off too. In Australia, I would say ONE would have the biggest race board presence by a fair way. In my local club for example 25% would have a ONE. If you were to ask people (in our club) who wanted to buy a new board what they were considering, I suspect most people would have a ONE right up there on their list.

I bought an EVO 2.0 as my first ONE board and it is awesome. The build quality is excellent. I have attached a review from that company Jacko mentioned. They also have a review on the Edge Pro 2.0. I'm not trying to steer you away from your original idea but if you want the best board for you, it would be worth holding off making a decision until you've demoed one, if that's an option.

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mickeyb said..
Infinity are not that popular here. Starboard and Infinity used to have a decent presence in Australia. We don't see very many new Infinity's now and SB have dropped right off too. In Australia, I would say ONE would have the biggest race board presence by a fair way. In my local club for example 25% would have a ONE. If you were to ask people (in our club) who wanted to buy a new board what they were considering, I suspect most people would have a ONE right up there on their list.

I bought an EVO 2.0 as my first ONE board and it is awesome. The build quality is excellent. I have attached a review from that company Jacko mentioned. They also have a review on the Edge Pro 2.0. I'm not trying to steer you away from your original idea but if you want the best board for you, it would be worth holding off making a decision until you've demoed one, if that's an option.

Thanks. I'm surprised that SB are not as popular as they once were. They seem fairly dominant here.

I will take a look at a One board. I decided to hold off from ordering a board until I have tried a few more. Though demoing is a real pain here... not enough companies with not enough stock and not that close to me... it's a day's drive to try a One board. But getting on some boards is a must...

Thanks!

Hi. can I ask another question about the One Evo 2.0 (the flat deck van). What width do you you think I would need? Is the width about stability /skill level, or volume? Or both? On one of the websites advertising Evo 2.0s, they suggest the 26" would suit up to 100kg. But then there is a big width jump to 29", the next width in the range.

Would I drive the board too low in the water? Or is the weight limit more about the board's strength? I was once told that SB set conservative weight limits because of the board's strength.

Thanks

I am 85kg and find the 26 wide EVO 2.0 has plenty of volume for me. I was considering the 24 but wanted stability in the ocean. The other thing I like about the EVO is that it rail steers really well in the bumps. I don't have to move to the rear of the board as much as I thought I would have. I really love it in choppy, messy water.

With the Edge 3.0 I went for a 24 wide. It still has plenty of volume to float me at 85. If you are unsure about which size to go for, send Paul or Angie a message. They are very approachable and give good advice. Good luck with your decision.

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jay087m said..
Hi. can I ask another question about the One Evo 2.0 (the flat deck van). What width do you you think I would need? Is the width about stability /skill level, or volume? Or both? On one of the websites advertising Evo 2.0s, they suggest the 26" would suit up to 100kg. But then there is a big width jump to 29", the next width in the range.

Would I drive the board too low in the water? Or is the weight limit more about the board's strength? I was once told that SB set conservative weight limits because of the board's strength.

Thanks

You will find the sizing is 26 and the 28 for the Evo 2, I would say the website might have a misprint.

If you have any questions on the ONE boards feel free to shoot me a message as always happy to help.

jacko@oneoceansports.com

I'll just leave this here...

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Casso said..
I'll just leave this here...

Obviously a very competent board rider. As always the music coupled with the video is right on point mate.