Suggestions For A New Touring Board

[Luc Benac]

+1 for Ken

[Quickbeam]

Kayadogg,

Thanks for the idea. Quite honestly I hadn't thought of a custom board, and not sure I know enough to even consider ordering one. Not even sure who I would talk to about it.
Thanks again for the idea though.

[Quickbeam]

Robon and Luc,

Glad to see there are others besides myself who know Ken and Pure Life. Ken actually lives not to far from me and I have taken lessons from him in the past. In fact, I have a "Speed and Efficiency" clinic coming up with him next month.

And you're right, he is a great guy and a very strong paddler. That's why I am strongly leaning towards buying another touring board from him. I like Ken, I like the service he provides and I like supporting local. It really is a win, win.

As I said earlier, I put this post up just to see what else is out there. And the other thing is, even though I previously owned his touring board, I just can't for the life of me remember what it was like going upwind. I have talked to Ken about his touring board and he is going to let me test paddle one so hopefully I'll get to try it out in the wind.

[Luc Benac]

In fact, I have a "Speed and Efficiency" clinic coming up with him next month

The we should see each other at Cultus Lake on April 17 :-)

[Quickbeam]

Hey Robon and Luc,

Just curious, do you guys ever come out to the races Ken puts on up at Cultus? Every second Wednesday during the summer. If so, maybe I'll get the chance to meet you.

[Quickbeam]

In fact, I have a "Speed and Efficiency" clinic coming up with him next month

The we should see each other at Cultus Lake on April 17 :-)

Very cool Luc,

I'll look forward to meeting you.

[robon]

Hey Robon and Luc,

Just curious, do you guys ever come out to the races Ken puts on up at Cultus? Every second Wednesday during the summer. If so, maybe I'll get the chance to meet you.

I live in the West Kootenays outside of Castlegar right now, otherwise I would definitely be checking out some clinics and races. I paddle solo most of the time out here and while quite a few people own paddle boards now, the scene is still really undeveloped. Very few people actually tour and cover much in the way of distance here, so I'm by myself most of the time. It's definitely a bit more happening in the Okanagan than out this way.

[Quickbeam]

O.K. Guys, I once again need your help. I've been speaking to my local retailer about both the SIC X12.6 and the 12'6" Bark Competitor. He says that while the Bark Competitor has the lower volume, the volume is more concentrated at the front of the board and it also has a larger nose, so in conditions the board will get pushed around more and be harder to handle. He prefers the SIC as a touring board. He says the Bark is more of a flat water racing board.

Anyway, to restate, I'm 5' 8" tall and weigh just under 150 pounds. I already have a race board, so while that's not what I'm looking for, I do want something that won't be a barge to paddle and will keep up with kayaks.

I want the board to be stable and if I get caught in wind, or conditions come up unexpectedly, I want to know that I'm going to be able to get back to wherever I've come from.

My normal paddling is done at a local lake where the wind does come up in the afternoon, but we're not talking about crazy, wild conditions. That can happen, but not often. I'm really looking at this as a touring board with stability and fast enough to still be fun to paddle.

From the sounds of what my dealer is saying it would appear the SIC would be the better board for me. But from what I see, and I know this is silly, I just love the looks of the Bark. And while I know that people rave about the handles on the SIC, I like the looks of the handle on the Bark, although my dealer says in his experience it can get in the way when you are moving around on the board.

I also read one review on the Bark that said the traction pad got slippery. Not sure where that comes from but I did see it in a review.

Area 10, I think you said you have paddled both these boards. Did you find the Bark got pushed around in conditions? Did you find the handle on the Bark got in your way? Any thoughts one way or the other on the boards?

And for anyone else, if you have any thoughts between these two specific boards please let me know. My local retailer has them in stock and I'm going to take a look, so I'd like as much information as I can get. Thanks so much.

[baddog]

I've been speaking to my local retailer about both the SIC X12.6 and the 12'6" Bark Competitor. He says that while the Bark Competitor has the lower volume, the volume is more concentrated at the front of the board and it also has a larger nose, so in conditions the board will get pushed around more and be harder to handle. He prefers the SIC as a touring board. He says the Bark is more of a flat water racing board.

...I really don't want to get rid of the race board. ...I'm pretty good on it...

...just get one board that does it all.

The Bark design (Dominator, Competitor, Contender, etc) is a trade off.  The cutting displacement bow is such a pleasure to paddle in glassy conditions as it slices and glides silently through the water.  Add wind and chop and that cutting bow gets pushed around and steers downwind; it's a flat out bitch.  It's also why Bark which once was the dominant force in the racing scene, was suddenly down the list from Starboard, Naish, Fanatic, SIC, NSP, etc.  That said, it's a classic design that many of us started on (race board wise) and still my favorite (from memory) to paddle in flatwater conditions.

At your size, look at the Contender at 27" instead.  Same design for lighter paddlers.  I didn't mention one board that's at the top of my list because it has nothing to do with being an all-around race board.  It's purely for flatwater speed and chasing down 14's; the Contender Lite.  It's 25" wide, built for paddlers 150-160lbs max and certain to be a bit tippy, even though Joe claims that it's stable, downwind's and surfs well.  Not what you're looking for, but why dip your toe in the water if you can go all in.

Even if you're 'pretty good' on your 25", you may find it redundant to keep along with the FX, Contender Lite and possibly the Contender as well.

[Area 10]

"I also read one review on the Bark that said the traction pad got slippery. Not sure where that comes from but I did see it in a review.

Area 10, I think you said you have paddled both these boards. Did you find the Bark got pushed around in conditions? Did you find the handle on the Bark got in your way? Any thoughts one way or the other on the boards?"

I've paddled Bark boards a lot and a long way and I've never had the pad get slippery. The SIC handle is the BEST in the business. You won't realise how good until you use one. The Bark arrangement is still pretty good though - great flexibility of use.

Any displacement nose board will get pushed around in serious cross-chop and cross-wind, but the Bark is no worse than many others and actually better than a lot of them. You'd need to be in some pretty serious conditions for it to be a significant problem. Recently, people I know have been racing the Contender in some pretty tricky conditions and they are heavier than you. They rave about that

But if you can afford the SIC then the huge advantage it has over the Surftechs is in terms of weight. If you were touring on the x12.6 vs the Contender I doubt you'd notice much performance difference. Yes, the X14 may be a little easier to handle in really rough stuff. And it's lighter. But the Contender will probably be tougher, cheaper, and its anyone's guess which would be faster on any one day. The Competitor will be noticeably more comfortable to paddle long distances than the X12.6 or the Contender. So get that if you really want a speedy cruiser rather than a slightly more friendly raceboard than you already have. And don't forget that comfort is speed...you might be surprised at how fast you can get the Competitor going despite it being hugely stable.

And it is nice to buy a board that you love to look at. Given the chance, we choose our wives/husbands that way, and our apartments/houses too. No-one thinks it's odd to choose those two fantastically important things at least partially on the basis of looks, so why not add it as a factor in board choice too?

You've got a tough choice - but an enviable one. Joe Bark and Mark Raaphorst are probably the top two production board shapers in the world IMO. So you can't go far wrong. Is there any chance of a demo?

Your retailer is giving some useful opinions. But it's going to be your board. And there's such a large price differential that I always wonder about whether the retailer stands to make more money on more expensive boards. But maybe I'm too cynical. If I was in your position I really don't know what I'd do. But I'd love to be in that position! Good luck with your choice. Whatever criticisms are being thrown at the boards, they are unlikely to be valid enough to base a choice solely upon them. Get the one that excites you most when you think about it, if money is no object, and you don't care about a couple of pounds of weight here and there.

[Eagle]

With a deep vee Bark you get a zen-like quiet paddling experience.  With the SIC you get a more rounded board.  Both the Competitor and X-Series would be excellent touring boards.  We use our Dominator in all conditions - and once you figure out how to deal with the short period pearling self-steering issue DW and higher nose push CW - it transforms into a very stable easy to ride board.  The X-Series does not have these issues - so out of the box it is easier to handle.  But the deep vee quietness is what always brings us back to the Dominator.

Demo both is always the best bet - then pick the one that you will get the most enjoyment from.  Very hard to go wrong - as both have been time and race tested proven to perform - and still viable on the market today.

[Quickbeam]

Sorry, I should have clarified that the SIC X 12.6 is the "TWC" layup and is priced very close to what the Bark is selling for. I don't have the weights of the boards, but the retailer told me they are very close to the same weight.

And yes, I do plan to demo. Both boards are going for a very good price and they are very close in price.

I suppose I won't know until I get to look at the boards and demo them. I am a little concerned about the nose on the Bark. I'm concerned what it will be like to handle in anything but flat water but Area 10 is right, looks are important and at least from the pictures I really do like the looks of this board. Just wish this process was easier.

I also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has responded. I really do appreciate all the advice and input.

[Area 10]

Ah...well the TWC SICs are pretty heavy. That does change things a bit. Are the Barks pro-elite or AST construction?

The Bark nose is less good than the SIC one in cross-chop. But the Bark nose is better than the SIC nose going upwind. So it's swings and roundabouts. The Bark boards were honed in coastal California, not a lake or millpond, so they aren't *that* highly tuned to flat water.

I slightly prefer the handling of the SIX X models than the Barks. But many or most of my friends prefer the feel of the Barks to the SICs. You'll just have to try them for yourself.

[Quickbeam]

The Bark is AST.

[Eagle]

Can say that the Dom is tippy right forward and super stable behind the handle.  So forward for speed - and back for stability.  Does lack a bit of initial stability up front with the vee reducing stability - but secondary stability is fantastic once you adjust position and absorb the roll.  So a bit harder to learn - but worth it if you keep at it.  Still have not found a better board that is super quiet - fairly quick - and very stable in rough water.

The trick with a deep vee is to adapt to the roll - and trust the secondary stability.  So yes flat water is optimal - but do not discount how effective the design is for festive conditions as well.  This was a top BOP race design.  Fins on this board also can impact how easy this board handles.  The Competitor is similar and has the same race pedigree.

But basically if you simply want a tried and true easier board to ride - the SIC is a better option.  Most people not familiar how to compensate for a deep vee will prefer the SIC.  Your demo test will tell you exactly what you want to know.