Please help choosing a SUP

[Quickbeam]

Lots of good advice here. I'd offer two points. Inflatable boards are O.K. for what they are and Spookini is correct that they will take a lot more abuse. But beware if you are going to be paddling in any kind of wind, as inflatables are very difficult to paddle against wind. Paddling an inflatable against wind can very quickly take the joy out of paddling. If I had the choice and didn't need an inflatable for storage or transportation issues, I'd go hardboard every time.

The other suggestion I would have for you is to take a lesson before you buy. Taking a lesson will advance your skills and your knowledge almost immediately. This will help you make a more informed decision as to what kind of board is best for you.

[spirit4earth]

I'm new to the sport, and new here, so I have very little experience. I figure that spending $1000 or more on 1 quality board will ensure you get something that won't be a waste of money - but you likely won't be sticking with that quality board for more than a year because you'll want something thinner, or longer, or flatter, or...you get the idea.

Either that, or you'll find that you really don't SUP as often as you thought, or you don't like it as much as you thought, or life just changed on you, and you'll have a quality board that you really don't use. Maybe you'll sell it, maybe not.

Point is, I figure there's no harm getting something inexpensive to try it out & get hooked on the sport. You know it won't last, you know it won't "perform" well, you just need something to get started & go from there. Why not try a cheapo board like that? In a few months you'll be back here looking for the next board because you'll know more of what you're looking for.

I imagine this isn't a very popular thing to say here, and I mean no disrespect to the very wise folks who might disagree. I figure if you stay in your budget, get something that works for now & it gets you hooked on the sport, it's worth it so long as you know that's what you're doing. I try to paddle every day now, and it's a wonderful addition to my life. I hope you and your wife find the same enjoyment out there!

I think this is good advice.  Get what you can afford, then see if you fall in love with the sport.  You can sell or keep the cheaper board, and start looking for one that is more specific to the kind of paddling you do most.

[tm3]

I decided on an 11'6"x32" Surftech Universal Blacktip over the same size Riviera Classic, mostly because of the protection it offers against dings, rocks, etc.. It is completely covered with a soft foam on top, and a polyethylene skin on the bottom, with extra rubber "bumpers" front & back, and a reinforced rail tape along the sides. I didn't want to have to be "gentle" with it out in the rocky coastal areas. It is also a bit thicker (5") so more volume.
http://www.surftech.com/sup/surftech-universal-blacktip-grey

I've only had it a day, but last night I paddled over 2 miles for the first time, and it was an entirely different experience compared to the inflatable. I couldn't believe how much more stable it was, how well it tracked, the incredible glide, and the way it cut through the ever present chop we have in the Salish Sea. With the soft top & extra volume, I can have my kids or dog sit on it without sliding all around or sinking it too far.

They have a 9'6" & 10'6" version, but I'm not recommending this board over any other. I'm quite sure ANY decently built hard board will perform just as well as the Surftech compared to an inflatable. If you have any shops within driving distance, I highly recommend you demo or rent as many different boards as possible before making your final selection. Good luck!!

That looks like it might work for me, and is less money than some other options.  I like the durability.

How much does it weigh?

Would this be a good choice for exclusive use in calm lake water?

[Remickulous]

I decided on an 11'6"x32" Surftech Universal Blacktip over the same size Riviera Classic, mostly because of the protection it offers against dings, rocks, etc.. It is completely covered with a soft foam on top, and a polyethylene skin on the bottom, with extra rubber "bumpers" front & back, and a reinforced rail tape along the sides. I didn't want to have to be "gentle" with it out in the rocky coastal areas. It is also a bit thicker (5") so more volume.
http://www.surftech.com/sup/surftech-universal-blacktip-grey

I've only had it a day, but last night I paddled over 2 miles for the first time, and it was an entirely different experience compared to the inflatable. I couldn't believe how much more stable it was, how well it tracked, the incredible glide, and the way it cut through the ever present chop we have in the Salish Sea. With the soft top & extra volume, I can have my kids or dog sit on it without sliding all around or sinking it too far.

They have a 9'6" & 10'6" version, but I'm not recommending this board over any other. I'm quite sure ANY decently built hard board will perform just as well as the Surftech compared to an inflatable. If you have any shops within driving distance, I highly recommend you demo or rent as many different boards as possible before making your final selection. Good luck!!

That looks like it might work for me, and is less money than some other options.  I like the durability.

How much does it weigh?

Would this be a good choice for exclusive use in calm lake water?

I haven't weighed my 11'6" model, but I am guessing it is somewhere between 30 and 35lbs. I  found it to be great in calm lake water, but that's comparing it to an inflatable. When I demo'd the Riviera Classic 11'6", it felt very similar to the surftech. Both of these designs are all around boards with a planing hull.

I think it all comes down to what you want to do with it, your experience level, and your weight. If you're looking to just go out on the water & paddle for fun, this is stable and works well but isn't going to go nearly as fast as a flat water displacement hull board.

If you like the idea of a soft top, super stable, all around board, take a look at Blue Planet Surf, they have a great soft top that is even better for less than the surftech, not including shipping 
http://blueplanetsurf.com/collections/2015-blue-planet-sups/products/114-x-35-soft-top-sup

[tm3]

I haven't weighed my 11'6" model, but I am guessing it is somewhere between 30 and 35lbs. I  found it to be great in calm lake water, but that's comparing it to an inflatable. When I demo'd the Riviera Classic 11'6", it felt very similar to the surftech. Both of these designs are all around boards with a planing hull.

I think it all comes down to what you want to do with it, your experience level, and your weight. If you're looking to just go out on the water & paddle for fun, this is stable and works well but isn't going to go nearly as fast as a flat water displacement hull board.

If you like the idea of a soft top, super stable, all around board, take a look at Blue Planet Surf, they have a great soft top that is even better for less than the surftech, not including shipping 
http://blueplanetsurf.com/collections/2015-blue-planet-sups/products/114-x-35-soft-top-sup

Thanks for the reply and the recommendation.  I will check that one out.

Stable sounds great, as a couple of beginners are going to be turned loose on it and stable also sounds good to have around for friends who may want to give it a go.

I'm still trying to understand the trade-offs, though.  "All around" suggests to me river/whitewater, surf, and flat while all I need is something optimized for flat  -- maybe that means a "touring" board but I'm not planning any long trips.

As far as speed, I am assuming that makes a difference if one is going to go out on a long trip or if one is trying to keep up in a group that is on faster boards.  For paddling alone and trying to get a 45 minute workout it would seem that speed would not be an important factor -- am I getting that right?

Thanks again!

[LeeBee]

Look at the Imagine iSUP's I had a 12'6" Mission Compressor DLX and it was 31" wide and would certainly hold your weight. Despite being light in weight it was very rugged, well built and paddled well. At your weight you want a 300+ liters of volume and a 6" thick iSUP at 15 pig or higher pressure should minimize flex. I have seen this for ca. $1000-1100 (Online) with shipping.

[spookini]

Spookini is correct

That alone is worthy of promotion to Teahupo'o status...

tm'cubed, "all-around" generally refers to the idea "can be paddled casually, also can be surfed".  Not many boards are designed/marketed for river/whitewater.

Been said many times over on this forum, but be sure to set aside at least $200 for a quality paddle.
Most of us would rather paddle a log, than paddle a nice board with an entry-level aluminum stick.
Cheap-o aluminum shaft/resin blade is sure prescription for paddling misery.
If your spouse might be paddling too, ask around for recommendations re: adjustable paddle choices.

[Quickbeam]

Spookini is correct

That alone is worthy of promotion to Teahupo'o status...

 

[Remickulous]

Thanks for the reply and the recommendation.  I will check that one out.

Stable sounds great, as a couple of beginners are going to be turned loose on it and stable also sounds good to have around for friends who may want to give it a go.

I'm still trying to understand the trade-offs, though.  "All around" suggests to me river/whitewater, surf, and flat while all I need is something optimized for flat  -- maybe that means a "touring" board but I'm not planning any long trips.

As far as speed, I am assuming that makes a difference if one is going to go out on a long trip or if one is trying to keep up in a group that is on faster boards.  For paddling alone and trying to get a 45 minute workout it would seem that speed would not be an important factor -- am I getting that right?

Thanks again!

I take my "all around" board on flat water several times a week, and paddle hard just for the exercise. I'm not trying to compete, or make good time/distance, just get better at paddling and work hard. I also take it into the chop on the bay quite often, and it definitely paddles well upwind. On the return trip it glides pretty well downwind too, and I'll be taking it to Ocean Shores and Tofino to try surfing it in small waves. For my use the all around board is perfect.

Truth is, we all get hooked on this sport and end up with a quiver of boards. I believe a good quality all around board like the Blue Planet Surf soft top, or the surftech I have will not only give you what you want, but it will be a great board to share with others without having to worry about damage, as well as making it easier for friends to try because it's stable.

After you paddle for a while, you might decide you want an inflatable for rivers, or maybe a touring board with displacement hull for speed & easier distance...but that all around board will still be there in your quiver, and it'll always be fun to take out :-)