Hi folks
I'm a long time listener/first time caller who is currently on the hunt for a 12'6 race board for BOP style races and the occasional downwinder.
I'm keen to get some advice on what sort of weight the race boards typically are. I understand that if a board is ultra light it will be an advantage although the durability will be limited. For those of us on the hunt for a second hand board I'm sure this is something worth knowing a bit about.
It also seems there might be some value in standardising the minimum weight for boards in each race class to ensure it's a level playing field and individuals who can afford to buy a new board more frequently don't have an advantage. Much in the same way most race craft have some type of weight spec.
Thanks for your feedback
Herb
Some guys in Hawaii are doing a 12'6" comparo this w/e and we might be doing one here as well including board weights.. Btw I don't think that super light boards are all that they're cracked up to be (parden the pun) because they might accelerate quicker.. they also slow down quicker.. I think there is a medium weight that works best.. If I was buying a race board IMO there are so many more important things besides the boards weight.
DJ
Cheers Dave and HC for the initial feedback and I agree that the shape of the board will be the most important factor rather than half a kilo here or there in weight. From my experience racing ocean skis and also paddle boards the lighter the better in all conditions. Again this is provided the shape is good and the craft is not going to fold in half a few months after it has been bought.
I can see from the buy/sell section there is a 12'6 Lahui Kai that is advertised as 9.5 kg (finned and gripped) and so far this is the only real reference I've been able to find either in the used classifieds or even looking at the websites of manufacturers. Also as something to compare with the 12' clubbie paddle boards are made to a minimum weight of 8.6 kg (I think). There are some obvious differences but it provides some sort of reference.
If anyone has the chance to put their board on the scales (preferably not covered in sand and with the grip waterlogged) and share their feedback it would be very much appreciated.
Thanks Again
Herb
I think the carbon 12'6" production boards are around the 10-12 kg range. Anything below 10 kg is probably a prototype or a custom board. Those are the ones most likely to damage if you breath on them. Very thin carbon. The cheaper AST / glass construction boards are around 14-15 kg. That's a substantial difference, up to 4 kg. Certainly more weight than I can afford to lose. 
I think there's enough for race organisers to worry about than having to weigh boards and disqualify people if their board is below some arbitrary value. The races we are all involved with are pretty social - we're not playing for sheep stations. But once you get to the level of competition where some form of scrutineering is feasible, the competitors are effectively sponsored and semi-pro if not full-on professional so the cost of boards is not an issue.
I say just race and enjoy yourself.
Hi PT
Thanks for your feedback and it certainly gives anyone who is interested something to be guided by.
Also regarding standardising a weight spec I take onboard your views and agree that the last thing anyone would want is those who are giving their time to be tied down having to weigh craft when the events are being run on the goodwill and efforts of those who are committed to developing the sport 
. If a weight spec is ever established then one possible way to assist would be for manufacturers to provide some form of common decal that is glassed in during production that indicates the board is of an agreed length/weight spec. Again the sport is developing in leaps and bounds and it is just an idea to consider.
Cheers
Herb
). Maybe some small-sample bias there in my thinking, other makers' carbon construction surely brings bigger weight savings. I also accept that a 4kg difference to the system is going to be more material in PT's case than mine 
. The scale is a cheap fisho thing from KMart but it's not more than 100g or so off the mark.
The 14ft Suplove Stingray that I paddled for the Hawkesbury Classic came in at 9.6kg. Granted I wouldn't take this board near the ocean, but put it on the flat and it goes like a rocket!
Hi Herb
The Hobie 12'6 Race weighs in at 11.6 kgs. It is a full carbon production board that is fast and strong. Check out Dogman surfing it
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Dogmans-latest-126-Race-surf-video/?SearchTerms=Dogman
and there are also a few great shots of Danny Sheard in some big waves surfing.
The best you can do is get on as many boards as you can and try try try ..
Everyone has an opinion, you have to part with the cash and be happy.
Gordon
Hi Birchy and Gords
Thanks for the contributions. I have also been nosing around on the SIC website and while their moulded / semi-hollow constructions might differ from what we typically can purchase in oz and they don't appear to be designed to go in out and out through the surf for BOP style races. They had the following
Open water
Bullet 14' =13.6 kg & Bullet 17'4 = 14.5 kg
Flatwater
12'6 = 9.1 kg & X14' = 11.4 kg
Downwind
F14' = 11.8 kg, F16' = 12.7 kg & F18' = 14.5 kg
Again this is provided the online weight converter I used is correct (llbs > kgs) and just another reference for those that might be interested. I also agree that the “try before your buy" option is always useful.
The surfing footage on the Hobie is also some of the best I've seen so thanks for sharing.
cheers
Herb
Hey TL
I would have thought old Herbert Voigt was obscure enough to go undetected. It was either him or his half brother “Russell Coight”. Touch wood I don't end up the same with the same fate as Herbert.
Regards
Herb
Hi all
www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=13823.0
I think DJ mentioned the review earlier in the thread (you'll need to look 4 or 5 posts down for the results and open the link to the spreadsheet). While the boards are not the typical ones we can purchase locally it does provide a useful reference. I think these guys have also performed similar reviews for the 14' and unlimited classes as well for those who might be interested.
I expect this will likely be the final post in this thread so thanks to those who shared their views and advice.
There's a local 12'6" test awaiting publication - Naish vs Starboard vs Fanatic. 8 boards in total. Just waiting on our web master to upload the story and stats from the day.
i reckon 9 to 10 kgs is about right. light enough with out the stop dead if you stop paddling caper.
as a matter of interest, we glassed up my 14' dw board a bit because at 9.5 kgs with a volume 308 litres, it was just too lite.
it was just to lite for that amount of volume
