howdy folks i was hoping someone has advice on a suitable downwinder for me.i paddle a lot in very wind affected closed waters,chop not often exceeding 1 ft. i have a 12 something jimmy lewis gets blown around a fair bit.im thinking something low in the water with a displacement nose. ability to step back and surf not essential,as for steering im not sure.any ideas?
Check out the Buy & Sell section of Seabreeze - there's a 14' Glide on the Gold Coast and 12' Glide at Torquay. When comparing prices with a store, make sure you are aware of whether it's the AST version (yellow hull) or the more expensive one (white hull). I think it's about a $500 difference.
Mate, there are plenty of other choices out there other than these.
Where are you located as this could help determine what might be best for you? The Australian shapers are making really good DW boards at the moment so you do not have to buy something that's imported.
Another thing to consider is what you think you will be getting into. Do you want to do close inshore downwinders or deeper offshore ones? Are you a racer or more of a cruiser?
Try demo a few brands and check out what's available 2nd hand first.
Hi Mark
You could always make yourself one,
I should add thats not mine and thats not me
i guess im more of a cruiser.im not interested in competing.i live south of margaret river in western australia.and i suppose the in shore as cruising offshore around here by myself doesnt really intrigue me ,yet that is.I think theres a naish distributer in WA.why the 14 and not the 17?
The 17 is good as well and fast with the wind behind it it also has a rudder but it is a big board and a bit harder to get around the place but if you have the room and dont mind lugging around a big board i would go for it.
The 14 is a great DW board its fast and easy, as its very hard to put the nose under water so more time to enjoy the paddle..
Both great boards
What about JL they are in margret river and do some race boards dont they??
Hi Mark
Every comment above is spot on.
From a WA perspective and in your region you should contact Courtney Gray (AKA Courts) at SUP Surf Australia. They are the WA agents for Jimmy Lewis and the 12'6 Albatross is a great board for South West Conditions and what you are looking for.
If you come up to Perth the guys at Auswind have a good selection of Starboard, Naish and PSH (Paddle Surf Hawaii). I would recommend the Starboard Cruiser or Naish 12 glide.
Scarborough Longboards also do Naish and some other brands as well.
Disclaimer - no affiliations whatsoever with any boards or shops.
hey guys what would be the best down winder for ocean stuff no flatwater paddling just open ocean in the 12 to 12'6" range any help would be great as i dont wanna be steered towards a flat water board and be spewing
cheers
i have a albatross and find it to wind affected ive been padlind in the deadwater at augusta from the colorpatch boatramp down to the mouth.sometimes ive paddled back into an outgoing tide and a 20-35kt sw and wouldnt be able to do it on my albatross[id end up glued to east augusta and walking home]ive got a starboard wopper and a coupla JL 10' 8".I can manage on any of these but when the wins wrong not the tross.I love these conditions rugged up I couldnt think of many places id rather be.just be better on the right down or maybe up winder.
The 14 Glide does have versatility. Quite fast on flat water, great downwinder, and it actually a nice board to surf in small waves, and even handles head high waves without fuss (*).
* it probably helps if you are already a competent surfer, and you understand the boards limitations - message me if you like, and I can explain over the phone how to ride it in surf, if you are interested... the do's and don'ts !!! But Skype would be even better, with the help of the hands during conversation !! 
I'm on skype...
well guys 12'6" for me is a big board i have many reasons for this size
1. my normal board is 8'8" and could go shorter its also super thin under 100litres
as i weight in around 71 to 74 kgs and 5'6" tall
2. storage is an issue with boards over 12'6" as i rent
3. sydney paddle club limit is 12'6" for there races not that i really care about that as i will never compete with the likes of sam with an bung elbow that i cant straighten.
so is the glide a down wind specific design? or is it more of an all rounder? flatwater?
I haven't read all of this thread but going on personal experience, I reckon 14' AST naish. I own one and it works great for a lot of conditions - flat water, tinsy surf, out there downwinders.
Very good price for a new board, and excellent resale value if for whatever reason it won't work for you.
Hey DTM,
Come steel my DC for a bit. Fast but also surfs nice when it's big, full and fun.
Sam.
yeah cheers guys diffenately keen on and around the 12 foot range as i done a few paddles lately, ocean ones on an 11 footer flat water sup and that felt fine so 12foot so be a walk in the park and i arnt really looking at racing and breaking records or something i just want a good down wind board that i can paddle with casso and hopefully goatie when he pulls his finger out and gets one. An Lacey im not really into flat water paddling so not sure how a board handles in it?
Sam thanks for the offer camp i might swing by and take a look.
cheers Dan
yeah the dc sounds good .
lacey how many boards do u have mate? enough so u can train on one board and race on another? lucky guy! Im just after one down winder and struggle to get that as ive already got me two 8'8" now ,
,
My new DC14 has a very nice balance between stability and speed, which is the beauty of going for a custom design. This board was built for the 100km paddle (for me) so I wanted as much stability as I could get. It's got a rudder system as well as a fin box so you can use it in whatever category you want to. It is full carbon fibre so came out really light and strong.
I have done some sea trials and am extremely happy with the outcome. Here are a few photos after a nice early morning paddle:
