Yes l know theres no substitute for time on the water,but as someone who does 99.9% of their paddling on a river(on a 12.6 Starboard Pin) and also likes to get out onto Port Philip to do most of the great events that are put on over the Summer,l'm finding contending with the bay chop a bit of a battle.
Would like to stay in 12.6 class as lt means l can go back to driving a Van to fit it into,however if suitably convinced will keep my fwd and get a big board.
This was actually my Windsurfing experience where l ended up on a raceboard.
Also while on the topic any suggestions on best Van for carrying your 12.6.ie Merc Vito,Volkswagon,Hyundai,or Hiace
Thanks
This was my previous drive.Can't fit that in yer porche
I'm guessing people will want some biometric info on you before recommending a board...Basically, how much do you weigh?
Sorry about that.Weigh in at 77kg.6ft.45yrs old.Using more the Hawaiian type stroke/big blade
May also be interested in the occassional downwinder
Thanks
If you are looking for a 12'6 more forgiving, consider a BOP style board (surf racing), rather than a board designed more for flat water racing. Also, for more stability go a little wider for something easier to balance, perhaps something 29 to 31 inches wide, rather than anything narrower than this.
Thanks Faito.Perhaps wide high volume Bop is good option.
Given the relatively shallow water in Port Philip ,the distance between waves is generally quite short in comparison to height,making for a tippy ride for someone like me who doesn't get out there much .
Curious if anyone with a long 16-18 ft board can tell me how it handles the conditions.
Ps. Dj or Wooz if you read this l managed to put the 10ft Mana through my windscreen the same day l picked it up.All good though ,me and the insurance company have arrangements in place(3rd one already)...need a van
I don't think you can beat the 31" wide 12'6" Fanatic Fly.
Hey Con.. Bummer about your screen.. Was it a speed bump or a sudden stop?
DJ
Hi Dj.
lt was me when l got home forgetting to place the board high enough above the tailgate to gain an extra inch into the window cavity.Chocked it up now.
Last time it was a speed bump in my haste to get new board onto water.
Needless to say l always take it up on my insurance.So nice looking out of a new screen
Worst part is l then fell on my ass the next nite walking on the slipperry ramp down to studley park.damaged me,the rail and depressed the side fins in a whole centimetre.So if someone here doesn't convince me your 17 is the way to go l'm goin back to van world.Check out my pics of my previous van above
Mate, in the past coupla months I have been trying out every 12.6 and 14.0 race board I can lay my hands on and I have also had stability as one of my major wants/needs in a board without sacrificing too much paddle speed. So far the most comfortable board I have ridden - but maybe not the fastest in the flat is the starboard surf/race 12.6. I am very suprised by this board because it was the older model which was only 26.5 wide ! - even at this width it is more stable my my current 12.6 race board which is just over 28" wide and I really thought I was gunna struggle to stay on it. I have another three boards to try in coming weeks but a new surf/race in the newer width of 29.5 is going to be very high on my list.
Just FYI my requirements in a board are stability/good paddler (doesnt have to be a rocket)/very good in offshore conditions/handle a bit of surf/light to carry and load on the car. I am 75kg and about 185cm.
Thanks.
That's pretty much echoes precisely my thougths at the moment,having already had a go on the new Starboard Race 12.6 .
Most likely van choice from advice given is either a Turbo Diesel Hiace or the Hyundai if it fits
.
I am interested in the 31" wide 12'6" Fanatic Fly as suggested by DJ.
I am 5' 8" 77kg and kite surfing is my main interest however to get through Autum I have now bought a 9' 4" Oxbow and am catching small waves OK.
Even with this option it seems that some flat water SUPing would be good so is the 31" wide 12'6" Fanatic Fly a good match?
I live at Lake Macquarie (Newcastel area) so plenty of flat water with varied conditions.
PS
when I mean a good match for my Oxbow 9 4 I really mean a match for a different experience and to help build my fitness and SUP skills
Guys some really great advice in this thread.
I am a novice racer (only been doing it for a year) so this is my humble take on the 12'6 deal -
-I have a '09 DC 12'6 and she is only 27" wide - fast, loves runners, but can be hard work in cross chop - still a great board
-I also raced a Fanatic 12'6 (31" wide) a couple of times; 24h Endurance Race and an 8km ocean race - as fast and very stable (and forgiving when you are tired) - also a great board
-Recently I raced a Hobie 12'6 (27" wide); in an 11km Harbour Race - also fast, more stable than the DC, but I still had some issues in the cross chop. The 28" wide version would have been a better choice for me and the right width - I wish I had gone with that option. I think the Hobie offers the best compromise of all the boards I have paddled so far
- I have also paddled the 12'6 Starboard 'The New' carbon dug out and whilst it was very fast I found it too tippy for my skill level
- Lastly I have not paddled the Coreban 12'6 (29" wide) but I have been beaten a couple of times by them! I wouldn't discount this board as a stable and fast (and very surfable) racer
The Hobie, the DC, the Fanatic and the Coreban are all great boards - my humble advice is to try a Hobie 28" wide as a great all round race board and benchmark the others from it
