First race type board on a budget

So it looks like this bug has bitten me much worse that I thought!

Up to now, I’ve thought that SUP surfing was the only side of the sport I was really hooked on but I’m coming to the realisation that a flat water paddling addiction has crept up on me too and I need something more specialised than a 10’6’’ Laird Pearson Arrow to satisfy my cravings.

If money was no object, I’d go out and buy this year’s Starboard All Star but I really can’t justify that sort of money…… yet.

So I’m looking for some advice, I want a fairly user friendly all-round quick board although I don’t mind a bit of a challenge. I’d like the option of being able to do down-winders on it too. What boards from the last few years should I be looking out for? Also, is a 14’ board significantly quicker than a 12’6’’ or would it be too much for someone new to this type of board? and is it worth investing in a race paddle?

I’m around 75kg and have been paddling for a few years although it’s been considerably more frequent this year. I’m beginning to really work on my technique, watching lots of videos and paying much more attention to what I’m doing and what difference small changes make.

Thanks

Thanks PTWoody.

It looks like I'm going to need to measure my board storage area!

Is there anything / any boards I need to avoid other than the extremely narrow?

I wouldn't recommend a 14x25 Ace to someone as their first race board. It's for experienced paddlers who know what they want IMO.

Looks like the only 14' boards available from that list are sub 25'' Fanatics so probably a bit too ambitious for me at the moment like the Ace.

I haven't seen any Sunny King boards in the UK but would certainly consider one along with most others.

At least I know I'm looking for a 14' board and something a bit wider than 25''. I'll see what comes up.

Thanks

Thanks Emeboy. I think you're right, as much as I'd like to go as fast as possible on flat water, I'm beginning to understand that I'll need to compromise on that to have a board that will offer a bit more in terms of downwind and chop suitability.

I'm going the play the waiting game for the right used board to come up at the right price. I saw a 2012 Naish Javelin in wood construction but realised this is a flat water specific model, I think it would need to be the Glide if it was a Naish.

Was there a year when the design of this type of board improved dramatically or has it been a gradual process? Just wondering how old I could get away with and still keep reasonably modern performance?

Unless you're downwinding, racing or you have to be faster then anybody else, take a serious look at 12'6"s first. You're light enough that you can be nearly as quick on a 14'. No doubt, 14's are faster, but we're generally talking about 10ths of miles per hour. Is paddling 5.8 mph vs 5.6 mph really going to make a difference for you? The handling of a 12'6" is just that much easier for transporting and storage and a 12'6" will handle surf better and fit into short period chop and swells easier that the longer 14' might struggle in.

Here's the big thing. Most 14's at the wider widths 26" and up, are designed for heavier paddllers and consequently carry more foam and volume you just don't need. You can pick up a cheaper standard construction 12'6" at a reasonable weight and price, but when you go up to a 14', that same construction is going to weight a ton. Personally, I won't even look at a board unless it's under 30 lbs. Those Glides are somewhere in the 35-40lb range; that's a lot of weight to lug around and are really slow to accelerate when paddling. Pick one up, walk a 100 yds down the street and back and tell me what you think:)

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Area10 said..
If you live in the UK, I know someone with a Naish Glide 14 Mk2 (27.25" wide) who might part with it. That is a great budget all-round board and is super-quick downwind in our conditions.

Thanks Area10, that sounds interesting. I like the idea of a board without the deep footwell of the modern boards, to begin with anyway particularly for giving down-winding a go.

Thanks also Baddog, there certainly seem to be more 12'6'' boards available. From what I've gathered, the main attraction of the 14' over the 12'6'' for me is the increased glide particularly for more moderate down-wind conditions. I've never down-winded before but it certainly appeals to me although I'm not sure how often I'd have chance to do it. The conditions I know I'd use it regularly in range from river and harbour to coastal in the south of England.

Wow, amazing video. I want to go to Torquay now and I don't mean the one in Devon.