Everyone has the right to ask a silly question once in a while

My SUP board doesn't have a windsurf attachment, but it does have a nice, solidly-built recessed handle right in the middle, so I was wondering if there's some (simple) way of making a little gizmo to put into the handle, and attach a mast foot to? Strictly for light wind cruising? Also, if it's doable, is the handle too far back? It is at the balance point, after all. Thoughts?

Cheers


(I've seen the thread on SUP to Windsurf conversion, but it's closed for new comments)

Could be done , and if it's a longish sup the position would work . However ,
I would buy a complete dunger windsurfer for $ 100 if your thinking of trying sailing . It will.work better than the conversion .And you won't wreck your nice Sup.

Select to expand quote

Imax1 said..
Could be done , and if it's a longish sup the position would work . However ,
I would buy a complete dunger windsurfer for $ 100 if your thinking of trying sailing . It will.work better than the conversion .And you won't wreck your nice Sup.

Your suggestion has merit, however I already windsurf and have gear. My SUP board doesn't have a mast insert though, and I feel inadequate because of this.

Could make a slotted insert from scrap of starboard , available at a marine center that recycles it (polypropylene, or a thick cutting board), and use heavy duty Velcro (no flexible fibers, but stiff plastic pins) on the bottom of the insert to hold in place, as long as you are just using in <6-7 knots.

You've given me an idea.

I'm thinking a version of the butterfly thing for fixing a bolt thru plasterboard....

Select to expand quote

Mark _australia said..
You've given me an idea.

I'm thinking a version of the butterfly thing for fixing a bolt thru plasterboard....

Butterfly thing?

I'm new to the forum so I can't post links but go to the youtube and search for "Windsurfing 14x23 Riviera Race SUP" by jimbodouglas. It's working pretty well but his board has different kind of carry handle.

@Mark. Done exactly this to a Sup. Handle usually not where mast base needs to be. But it gets you on the water.
Used 2 rubber doorstops, alloy plate top n bottom fixed together with screws.Plonk it in handle hole tighten the screws so doorstops expand to grip internal of handle hole. Top plate has drilled n tapped thread for mastbase. Hey Presto, sailing Sup.

I did this - but my HOBIE SUP handle had horizontal stainless steel pin in it and was I able to get a flat nut behind the pin and use a basic screw single bolt mast base; one with a long bolt. It worked.. until after a few goes....
As there is an ISSUE - where is the HANDLE? Eventually I found the location of the handle attachment point meant the mast base was too far back (by about 30cm - which really mattered) and eventually I glassed in a MAST TRACK. It works very well now! As I was also able to source very old and very large upright slalom fin for a surd fin box. So large I have sailed 7.3m on sup and semi-planned.
Alternatively ...people sometimes give this advice:... rather find an old SUP with mast insert or get an old 'windsurfer' (with benefit that if you like going slow - it may have a centre board) and it will have more of a sail range. SUPs are limited - by size of fin options and therefore sail size.

If you are thinking of flat water sailing the sup, you will be disappointed in the performance. Even for beginners, it wont stay up wind. So not really worth the effort.

If you are thinking to sup sail small surf, I couldn't encourage you more. Its great fun.

BUT in the surf, you need a really strong connection.

So I think you need to either formally put in an insert, or source an old sup with the insert.

The old silver range of starboard mostly had windsurf screw in inserts.
Many of the sunova boards had small slots.

The windsurfer LT isn't too bad,

Many other older options, Bic Jungle, Mistral Pacifico.

Unfortunately most windsurfers are not good in sup surf conditions, (either too small for sup surf conditions or way too little nose rocker)

One exception is the Kona which is really good. Strong mast connection, duck tail works like tail rocker, and enough nose rocker.

I like the Kona more than the LT in small surf, and the straps help going out at speed. But the LT is pretty good. Kona's are rare in Ausralia.

the little black marks in the middle are screw in inserts

This is your Answer