WINDSUP's

I had a go on a friend's Starboard Rio L Longtail over the September school holidays and it put a smile on my dial so I started looking at longboards and like the versatility of a WindSUP for family use.

I'm after something to cruise around on those 5-10kn lazy days so lack of straps isn't an issue. I don't want an inflateable one either.

I've been told to make sure it has a centre fin of some sort and also to try to get a flatter bottom that will glide easier rather than a surf shaped bottom with more rocker. Three boards seem to fit the bill, the BIC 11'6, the JP Windsurf SUP and the Starboard 11'2x30. The BIC and the JP have a flip down centreboard and the Starboard has a bolt in centre fin (i'm assuming a tuttle box). Does anyone have any experience with any of these boards? Pros and cons? Thanks in advance.

I think the Starboard 11 2 x 30, has a USBOX , FOR THE BOLT IN CENTER FIN.

I've used my 10'6" Starboard Drive (AST Construction) to teach people to windsurf on. It has two slots for FCS type fins on the sides near the center that work just fine. After a couple of hours I move the fins to the rear tri-fin position to get them use to going upwind without the center support. The board is also a great SUP board for waves.....classic longboard shape and hangs five pretty easy. If the rails were thinner and it was the carbon construction, it would be my FAV longboard style sup.

I do feel strongly that a TRI fin , or twin, aides upwind greatly.
a BIC Presto, added the side bites, cut down the trim box center fin, tried different sizes, most were ok.
had a brain wave, tsumi actually , to add the center fin,its removable, rather large..but then they are ...mostly.
largest consideration was where to place it.

This entire application was for my 8YO neighbor Sarah. I have sailed it , since the shape is so old, that takes more getting used to than I see fit.
She has graduated to a ProKido Formula .

Thanks gents, I'll chase some info on the drive.

The big BIC has had 2 outings now. Session one in very light open bay conditions in 0-5kn swirling wind with a 7m sail, heaps of fun, took a few runs to get the trim right front to rear to get it gliding properly but came home very happy. Session two today in very light open beach conditions with a 0-5kn onshore wind in a small swell with a 6.1m sail, same again not enough wind to really load things up but came away very happy. Something to note for windsup buyers who intend to use them for light conditions is that a centreboard is worth it's weight in gold, I sailed today with a couple of mates on the same size boards with the same size sails without centreboards and the difference was night and day for going upwind and just picking up speed. 200+ litre windsups and longboards are fantastic, they let you sail on days when you simply couldn't sail anything else and they are ridiculously good social fun and easy to use, everyone should have one.

They do go very well, it's not really fair to compare them to a race board but their versatility and durability is what really makes them fantastic. I've just sailed mine again today in open bay conditions with a 10kn onshore breeze (fair bit of chop) using the 6.1m sail and Ducati has hit the nail on the head, I left the water with a stupid grin, I had a ball. Brad was using his 377 Phantom with a bigger sail and was faster than I was but I could turn around easier and also mess around catching small swells in the shallows with no fear of busting anything. The big BIC is king for messing around.

Now you're talking, that tandem is so ridiculous it'd have to be fun. Ducati is still on the money, these windsup's come with a box full of stupid grins, they're great. There's no slog, they just cruise along effortlessly if you get something without much rocker.