We have teen boys and a sailboat, and they say they need more adrenalin in their lives to make sailing more interesting. They did a windsurf course and really enjoyed it, so we've been looking at inflatable Windsups which would give them something to do if not the adrenalin when the boat's in an anchorage - if there's wind they could windsurf (note we would be unlikely to be out and anchored in more than 15 knots), and if not they could SUP. However, whilst a few years ago there were a lot of iWindsups around, they seem to have largely disappeared, at least from Australia (e.g. JP Australia no longer do one). Skipper will not have a hard board onboard, so that's not an option. So, how bad a compromise are they - have they disappeared from market because they did both SUP and windsurf jobs so poorly, or other reasons? Anyone had any experience of one - good, bad, indifferent? obviously an iWindSUP is not going to satisfy and experienced windsurfer, but the teens are probably early intermediate having done the 4 day RYA course, so trying to understand if there's enough potential in an iWindSUP to entertain them.

They don't plane so you won't feel the sensation that windsurfing is all about. Some brands added hard rails and say they plane but it's not great.

For learning it's ok, but I think your teens will get bored as it won't be nearly as fast as a hard board. They can still do some tricks on it and sail back and forth.

I'd go with a proper board, but if you don't have space to store it then an inflatable can be an option.
In lighter winds, it's unlikely to plane anyway. If you have space for a smaller board, you could look into wing foiling which is more suitable for lighter winds and easier to carry and rig. The windsurfing lessons are still a good foundation to learn it.

You should still be able to get inflatable SUPs with a masttrack to attach a sail. Need a bigger fin as well if the board can hold it.

Yup. Boring after very basic learning, and don't last.
Impossible to fix some of the things that come unglued
Wonderful marketing exercise was about the only thing I could say that's positive

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Kenyafrog said..
We have teen boys and a sailboat, and they say they need more adrenalin in their lives to make sailing more interesting. They did a windsurf course and really enjoyed it, so we've been looking at inflatable Windsups which would give them something to do if not the adrenalin when the boat's in an anchorage - if there's wind they could windsurf (note we would be unlikely to be out and anchored in more than 15 knots), and if not they could SUP. However, whilst a few years ago there were a lot of iWindsups around, they seem to have largely disappeared, at least from Australia (e.g. JP Australia no longer do one). Skipper will not have a hard board onboard, so that's not an option. So, how bad a compromise are they - have they disappeared from market because they did both SUP and windsurf jobs so poorly, or other reasons? Anyone had any experience of one - good, bad, indifferent? obviously an iWindSUP is not going to satisfy and experienced windsurfer, but the teens are probably early intermediate having done the 4 day RYA course, so trying to understand if there's enough potential in an iWindSUP to entertain them.

Replace the skipper and get 2 x hardboard's, one for each of the boys

Have you considered an inflatable wing and wing foil board

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Gestalt said..
Have you considered an inflatable wing and wing foil board

That was going to be my recommendation.

I have a Naish windsurf/sup and I love it. While winging is probably the way to go and you can get inflatable wing boards. They sound keen on windsurfing after their rya course so they will definitely enjoy it and can sup it is very low winds. I've had my Naish sup for 5 years with zero problems and have taught people how to windsurf . I have windsurfed it in light and strong winds and loved it. I have supped it and love it. It has remained inflated for 5 years and zero problems. I have to admit winging is probably the future and your boys would love that equally just more learning initially.

Ive got two starboard wind sups and take them up to fiji each year, mainly for sup with the kids

Concur with all the comments about getting a hard board for learning windsurfing, they just don't match a hard board. While they have two fins, for learning you really need a centre board. They do drift down wind a bit for learners and you aren't really going to get them planning that well. In saying that you can get them going if you are a experienced windsurfer.

They have improved alot in construction in the last few years. They don't survive the tropical heat and humidity very well if they are glued, avoid these. Ive lost two leaving these up in the islands. Get the welded ones. Also watch how they put the fins and mast box on. These need to be glued on not cut into the board and glued. The board needs to be a sealed unit with welded seams, this way if there is any damage, the integrity of the air tight hull is not jeopardised, as glue just does not hold long term in keeping the air in. I think starboard has done a good with the new sup air windsurf boards now.

In saying all of the above, the great thing is that you can use them as a sup and if there is a light breeze you can play around with a small sail on them