I am just in the process of upgrading to my first DW board, but still want to spend most of the time on the flat water. I have been paddling a Walk on Water 12'6" x 28 full carbon BOP board for the past 2 years. A great little board, but after seeing some of the beast like boards I was was up against in the Noosa BOP race recently, I think the time for an upgrade to a 14' has come. I am 1.80 tall and around 82kg's. I spoke with a couple of experienced paddlers recently and they told me the fanatic 14' x 26.75" is a great DW board but a pig on the flat. Anyone got any suggestions? Thanks. M
In general, as the downwind capabilities of a board increase, the flat water capabilities decrease, and vice-versa. So you are looking for a compromise board, that will be OK at both but not really good at either. Mostly you have to decide whereabouts the compromise falls: relatively better in either the flats or DW.
Some boards to consider in addition to the NSP might be the SIC FX, or the Naish Javelin, or a Starboard All Star. They are all compromise boards that are probably slightly more oriented to Flat water than DW. The Bark Vapor is an excellent downwinder and not too tragic in flat water, so a bit more more oriented to DW than flats, if you want to go that way instead. But an old Naish Glide Mk2 is still probably a better compromise board than most on sale today - at least if speed in both environments is your main concern. It is remarkable how fast it is in flat water given how much rocker it has.
G'day NoosaMike if you want a very good fast (proven) All round/DW board for the Canal Flat Water and Ocean Downwind Paddling I have the Perfect LOW PRESSURE Bottom Curve Rocker for you, mate. BUT the board length comes in 15ft to 18'2''ft in length.
I can't help you or make you a 14ft BOP style board, because those boards are NOT my thing.
Select to expand quoteArea10 said.
Some boards to consider in addition to the NSP might be the SIC FX, or the Naish Javelin, or a Starboard All Star. They are all compromise boards that are probably slightly more oriented to Flat water than DW. The Bark Vapor is an excellent downwinder and not too tragic in flat water, so a bit more more oriented to DW than flats, if you want to go that way instead. But an old Naish Glide Mk2 is still probably a better compromise board than most on sale today - at least if speed in both environments is your main concern. It is remarkable how fast it is in flat water given how much rocker it has.
Yep, what he said.
ET. 
your just inside the naish maliko 14 fter 24" range or the 26" is still fanastic too
fast in the flats and a fast dw board. very surfable
easy to use. that's the best part
the only downer is its not as good in messy dw conditions. still very stable tho.
the best one board race board around imo. even tho I have moved mine on if I could only had one board this would be it.
they are starting to move out in the shops now. words out
Select to expand quotelaceys lane said..Area10 said..
LL - if it was so good, why did you sell it?
because I have more one board .
I've got the jp 14x 25 which is tricker to use but is good in messy/chop
I don't think its any faster than the maliko in general conditions.
the jp is very ace like but with out the canoe sides.
ps. I wouldn't say no to a maliko again in the future tho. not even sure I should have old to be honest but the two boards are different styles and its just to confusing to keep switching from stand back surf style to stand in the middle use your hips style
Well said Area10. Marks has had more SUP's than anybody even a beginner Kook trying to work it out, that why Mark is a professional at giving advise IMO.
Select to expand quoteDownwinder said..
laceys lane said..
Area10 said..
LL - if it was so good, why did you sell it?
because I have more one board .
I've got the jp 14x 25 which is tricker to use but is good in messy/chop
I don't think its any faster than the maliko in general conditions.
the jp is very ace like but with out the canoe sides.
ps. I wouldn't say no to a maliko again in the future tho. not even sure I should have old to be honest but the two boards are different styles and its just to confusing to keep switching from stand back surf style to stand in the middle use your hips style
Well said Area10. Marks has had more SUP's than anybody even a beginner Kook trying to work it out, that why Mark is a professional at giving advise IMO.
I'm a board junkie. cant deny it
whether I get 200 boards or not the fact is the maliko is a dam fine board
ps. for what its worth I swapped boards with alain one time out there . that nsp is pretty good in the bumps too
Hmm.. What about SIC 14' V2. Not too much rocker, but certainly more than a true flat water board. I use one as my everyday board including training sessions and some races (though I don't do many races). It is great for picking up the runners on DWers, but you do need to take a couple of steps back when it starts to run - otherwise you can bury the nose. That said, more often than not it cuts through and pops back up. Stable and light. Highly recommend you demo one.
Select to expand quoteFoam said...
I would of thought the fanatic rave 14 would be best of both worlds
Fanatic rave 14?
Select to expand quoteArea10 said..
LL - if it was so good, why did you sell it?
Asking Lacey why he sold a board is like asking why dropped toast always lands butter side down. It just does.
Nevertheless, I have always found his opinion on boards to be very enlightening.
Too funny all this bull**** about the best boards, the best board is the one that suits you and you have the most fun on. Every one will have their preference for one brand or type of board over another, and in my experience they all work differently in different conditions. So if you want a good all-round board learn to use the board you have in all-round conditions
Ha ha gotta love the advice you get on seabreeze, the guy is asking about 14'ers and has had the most reply's from someone who has told us time and time again he has never paddled one.
Hi NoosaMike,
I would seriously have a look around for a Maliko. I am on the 26 wide version and I am basically your size. Love my one and I am finding it to be very good on the flat water here in Canberra and fantastic in rough choppy conditions. Handled the conditions at the recent Harbour Hustle at the Saucy Jack classic very well and I don't get out of Canberra conditions often. I have also had the Jav LE 26 and prefer the Maliko. Would love to have a go on a 24 wide version also.
My Dad just turned 60 and switched to the Maliko 26 from the DC/NSP 14 X 26 as he just felt heaps more comfortable on it in all conditions.
Hope this helps
Like I said in the my helpful post that evaporated into cyberspace, you need to work out what you want , or else buy 2 SUPs. If wanting to win flatwater races matters to you, buy the best flatwater race board, and buy a downwinder. If flatwater racing doesn't matter to you at all then buy a dedicated downwinder Sup and a flatwater board. The flatwater boards are narrow and tippy. Many people buy an allrounder knowing they won't win flatwater and will probs be in the drink a bit on a downwinder. Me I have a SIC 14 Bullet and a Naish NISCO inflatable for flatwater racing and family fun. Some of our club's top racers win on the Naish N1SCO's! [I won't because I don't paddle fast enough.] Just remember that SUP's are slow paddlecraft anyway.
Select to expand quoteMacaha said...
So many missing posts in this topic I'm lost
So much fun stuff to read and for once i had nothing to do with it!!
Select to expand quotepaul.j said..Macaha said...
So many missing posts in this topic I'm lost
So much fun stuff to read and for once i had nothing to do with it!!
Same here
oh well. heres as good as any.
I'm in the process of closing down my profile. well ive sent 2 emails no answer yet.
in some ways phil and others are probably right about not knowing jack
I love paddling and love paddling different boards . breaking them down. whats good . what doesn't work etc. try anything and made more mistakes than probably anyone else in the world
been involved with designing a lot for myself too. was proud of the 12.6 and 14 ft tomy pin tail boards- my best boards ever- so far
but i feel like I'm gone past my used date in the breeze .put myself in the target sights enough for 2 life times 
life goes on, the breeze sup has moved on past me I feel.
cheers all
I'm sorry you feel like that LL. I've found your posts very useful - in fact I even bought a board based on a video you posted (and still have it now). I can understand why you'd feel under attack in this thread. But there are plenty of us who have been reading this thread with mounting incredulity. So, if you can possibly find it in you, I'd suggest that you respond in the traditional way when someone attacks you unfairly, ie. ignore them and carry on as usual :)
