Forums > Stand Up Paddle   Board Talk & Reviews

Shorter boards for flat water

Reply
Created by lawnpotter 6 months ago, 7 Jan 2024
lawnpotter
23 posts
7 Jan 2024 9:56AM
Thumbs Up

Hi there I am new to this forum. I am interested in buying a Starboard wedge 8.0 123 litres or Hypernut 8.0 135 litres because they fit in my truck box. I have isups and longer boards but it would be awesome to find a hard board I could lock up in my truck. I realize it would not be fast or straight. I just want to cruise small lakes with it. I appreciate any feed back. I am 180 pounds and 5 feet 6. Thanks

Grantmac
2017 posts
7 Jan 2024 12:44PM
Thumbs Up

On flat water I'd rather paddle an ISUP than a Hypernut.

lawnpotter
23 posts
7 Jan 2024 12:59PM
Thumbs Up

Thanks Grantmac. I suppose that there would not be enough litres on either board regardless of the design. I am 180 pounds plus wet suit

colas
5045 posts
7 Jan 2024 2:28PM
Thumbs Up

Basically, what most people enjoy when paddling a SUP on flat water is:

- the glide of the board between paddle strokes

- not having to spend energy fighting the row effect

The simplest way to get this while fitting in a truck is a long inflatable.

The other solution is have a specific 8'0" rigid board with:
- parallel rails (to minimize the row effect)
- convex hull (a "boat shape") to part the front wake wave to the sides rather than trying to climb other it
Which is the opposite of the designs of SUPs made for surfing like the ones you cite.

12 years ago, Gong made such a board, the 8'6" Sherpa www.supgower.com/2012/02/we-take-a-look-at-the-gong-sup-86-sherpa/
but the market was not there... and with the advent of the inflatables, it was game over.


This said, if your goal is SUP surfing like me, flat paddling a 7' board is much more productive, both for fitness and progressing technically, but you have to be OK with going slow. But since you are going to get back to your starting point anyways, what is the point of making more distance anyways? :-)

lawnpotter
23 posts
7 Jan 2024 3:01PM
Thumbs Up

Thanks Colas, I want that Sherpa in 8 feet please. I could lock it in my truck and tour all the lakes. I do have a very good Isup but isups seem to lack a soul. I really prefer my hardboards. I am probably trying to solve a problem that does not exist. I would like to go from the couch to the lake with minimal effort. I think that Sherpa looks awesome.

lawnpotter
23 posts
7 Jan 2024 3:19PM
Thumbs Up

Bring back the sherpa but make it in 2 eight foot pieces so riders can choose to use an eight foot or a 16 foot fast sup

Hoppo3228
VIC, 765 posts
7 Jan 2024 6:28PM
Thumbs Up

Glide is your friend for flat water, you need length to achieve this.

Solution = Sunova 2 piece boards. Any of their boards can basically be made into a 2 piece from new at the factory.

IMO, ideally a Sunova Search as a 12fter (or 14ft) that be stored in 2x 6ft (or 7ft) lengths.

sunovasurfboards.com/en/events/two-piece-boards

Get the right board once, and not stuff around with trying to compromise this or that. You'll be much happier in the end.

They do pop up from time to time on the second hand pages here to save some $$

colas
5045 posts
7 Jan 2024 7:56PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
lawnpotter said..
Thanks Colas, I want that Sherpa in 8 feet please.



I guess your best bet would then have a custom made by your local Shaper...
Or do what we did in the golden years of Windsurfing, take a second hand 12'6" race board and cut the rear 4'6" ;-)

But I agree with Hoppo3228, a two-piece board could be what you are after.

lawnpotter
23 posts
8 Jan 2024 1:06AM
Thumbs Up

I will look into a shaper. I really like the sunnova 2 piece boards

supthecreek
2599 posts
8 Jan 2024 1:22AM
Thumbs Up

Hi Lawnpotter

I paddle very short boards on flatwater all the time.
Back in 2013, I only had an 8'10 Surf SUP, so when the waves were flat, I paddled it on flatwater year round, including in snowstorms.
My average paddle session was around 6 miles, mostly dinking along the edges, looking for creeks to explore.

I never gave a hoot about glide or speed.... I was out there to enjoy the estuaries on a paddleboard.
My passion for paddling has never left me, but almost everyone racing around on fast narrow boards back then, has quit paddling altogether.
When it's all about speed, it's easier to get discouraged and move on to OC1 or foiling.... because even race SUPs are not fast in the real world..... so why not just enjoy the slow roll through a peaceful body of water

These pics are from a day a took a family paddling and all I had in my van was surf SUPs.....
I was on an 8'7 (125 L) and I weighed in at 107 kg that day

Forget fast.... enjoy the places you can explore on you little 8' Surf SUP and have a blast!!!!







Paddling my 8'10 Ghost




Slab
1084 posts
8 Jan 2024 2:33AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
supthecreek said..
Hi Lawnpotter

I paddle very short boards on flatwater all the time.
Back in 2013, I only had an 8'10 Surf SUP, so when the waves were flat, I paddled it on flatwater year round, including in snowstorms.
My average paddle session was around 6 miles, mostly dinking along the edges, looking for creeks to explore.

I never gave a hoot about glide or speed.... I was out there to enjoy the estuaries on a paddleboard.
My passion for paddling has never left me, but almost everyone racing around on fast narrow boards back then, has quit paddling altogether.
When it's all about speed, it's easier to get discouraged and move on to OC1 or foiling.... because even race SUPs are not fast in the real world..... so why not just enjoy the slow roll through a peaceful body of water

These pics are from a day a took a family paddling and all I had in my van was surf SUPs.....
I was on an 8'7 (125 L) and I weighed in at 107 kg that day

Forget fast.... enjoy the places you can explore on you little 8' Surf SUP and have a blast!!!!







Paddling my 8'10 Ghost





I remember the old Allwave..such an easy board to surf when starting out..things have progressed so much these days thankfully!

lawnpotter
23 posts
8 Jan 2024 2:49AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
supthecreek said..
Hi Lawnpotter

I paddle very short boards on flatwater all the time.
Back in 2013, I only had an 8'10 Surf SUP, so when the waves were flat, I paddled it on flatwater year round, including in snowstorms.
My average paddle session was around 6 miles, mostly dinking along the edges, looking for creeks to explore.

I never gave a hoot about glide or speed.... I was out there to enjoy the estuaries on a paddleboard.
My passion for paddling has never left me, but almost everyone racing around on fast narrow boards back then, has quit paddling altogether.
When it's all about speed, it's easier to get discouraged and move on to OC1 or foiling.... because even race SUPs are not fast in the real world..... so why not just enjoy the slow roll through a peaceful body of water

These pics are from a day a took a family paddling and all I had in my van was surf SUPs.....
I was on an 8'7 (125 L) and I weighed in at 107 kg that day

Forget fast.... enjoy the places you can explore on you little 8' Surf SUP and have a blast!!!!







Paddling my 8'10 Ghost



Surlygringo
84 posts
8 Jan 2024 3:03AM
Thumbs Up

You can absolutely paddle a short board on a lake. From 2010 to 2015 I only had one sup. It was a 7'4". I rode it in everything from shin high waves on the Gulf to overhead Jalama, as well as lakes and rivers when I had a job that took me inland for months at a time. I couldn't drive with it inside my mini cooper, but I could lock it in there when it was parked. Since then I have often had more than one sup, but I don't think I have necessarily had more fun. I am 6'2" and 185. I would get the Wedge over the hypernut, but my experience with the hypernut is with a much smaller first gen. That board pumped really well on a wave, but it was not a good flat water paddler.

lawnpotter
23 posts
8 Jan 2024 3:08AM
Thumbs Up

Thank you supthecreek. I have been a fan of yours for a while. You inspired me to buy a 10.2 by 32 carbon surf sup. I have never surfed with it but I take it to my local lakes and I love it. It weighs 20 pounds and is slightly tippy but it does move through the water fairly quickly. It needs to be corrected a bit. It is so lite to carry and I seem to reach for that board more than any others.I seem to prefer it over my Starboard Go 10.8.
On the other hand, I have an old waterman 14 foot board that I have only used twice in 3 years so I will sell it. I recently watched your video testing stability of sunnova boards. And I thought that if he can comfortably paddle an 8.7 at his weight than maybe I can do an 8 foot. the wedge 8 foot looks interesting but it is only 123 litres and I wonder if it will be stable enough on flat water for my 180 pounds plus wet suit ?

lawnpotter
23 posts
8 Jan 2024 3:12AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Surlygringo said..
You can absolutely paddle a short board on a lake. From 2010 to 2015 I only had one sup. It was a 7'4". I rode it in everything from shin high waves on the Gulf to overhead Jalama, as well as lakes and rivers when I had a job that took me inland for months at a time. I couldn't drive with it inside my mini cooper, but I could lock it in there when it was parked. Since then I have often had more than one sup, but I don't think I have necessarily had more fun. I am 6'2" and 185. I would get the Wedge over the hypernut, but my experience with the hypernut is with a much smaller first gen. That board pumped really well on a wave, but it was not a good flat water paddler.


Thanks Surlygringo. This is exactly what im talking about

lawnpotter
23 posts
8 Jan 2024 3:20AM
Thumbs Up

"I was on an 8'7 (125 L) and I weighed in at 107 kg that day" supthecreek I missed this in your post. 123 litres might be doable for me then. Although your board looked pretty low in the picture

Kisutch
401 posts
8 Jan 2024 4:19AM
Thumbs Up

wasn't clear whether you surfed on SUP; if so paddling short SUP is great cause you are dialing in your balance and paddling w/o distraction of waves.
Can you get a cheaper used all arounder and just risk the theft? Or get those lockable straps- I know theft happens, but SUP seems much less likely to be stolen than a bike or something.

lawnpotter
23 posts
8 Jan 2024 4:41AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Kisutch said..
wasn't clear whether you surfed on SUP; if so paddling short SUP is great cause you are dialing in your balance and paddling w/o distraction of waves.
Can you get a cheaper used all arounder and just risk the theft? Or get those lockable straps- I know theft happens, but SUP seems much less likely to be stolen than a bike or something.


I only get to the surf once a year so I can barely stand up on a board. I will probably never be a surfer since the surf is so far from me but i agree with you that paddling a surf sup on a lake would help with surfing. I am a surfer at heart that is why I like surf sups.. If I had an 8 foot board, I could hide it in my 8 foot box with canopy and keep it on the truck. I would try to lock it up some how.

micksmith
VIC, 1684 posts
8 Jan 2024 10:54AM
Thumbs Up

My vote is with Hoppo and like creek said of course you can paddle smaller boards on lakes, rivers, dams etc you only have a problem with yaw if you're paddling hard and fast

theSeb
288 posts
9 Jan 2024 3:38AM
Thumbs Up

A year, or so, ago when I was getting used to my 8' hypernut I took it for an 8 km flat paddle. It's totally doable and I weigh more than you.

lawnpotter
23 posts
9 Jan 2024 7:06AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
theSeb said..
A year, or so, ago when I was getting used to my 8' hypernut I took it for an 8 km flat paddle. It's totally doable and I weigh more than you.


Wow. Very encouraging. Thanks

Hoppo3228
VIC, 765 posts
9 Jan 2024 2:09PM
Thumbs Up

I'll add to my initial comment:

IMO It's not that you can't do it on a 8' board - you can, it's just not the perfect tool for the job.

The difference in paddle speed and yaw is enormous between a 8' surf shape sup and a 10-12ft+ longboard type of sup. Night and day difference.

supthecreek
2599 posts
9 Jan 2024 9:08PM
Thumbs Up

I found a fin online that turns any board into a fairly straight paddler.
A long base Keel Fin that has Zero Cant, so it sits on the board like a center fin.
It is also 50/50 foil like a center fin.
Found them on AliExpress at $20 USD for 2 fins

When I put this fin on my surf SUPs for a flatwater paddle, they actually get hard to turn.

I have video of me paddling with this fin, but so many of my external Hard Drives that back up my videos have failed, that I don't know if I can find the vid on the surviving drives.



slsurf
244 posts
10 Jan 2024 12:59AM
Thumbs Up

You should be looking at 1.5 ratio or higher for sure. I would go as long as possible, really the 2 piece board suggestion is far and away the best option for you. Can you have fun paddling a surf sup in flat water, sure provided it's short distance (1-2 hrs 5-10k) and hopefully glassy with no wind. Back in the day I put an 8 inch windsurf fin all the way back in the center box, ditched the sides and had good fun with my 7'10 on an inland lake trip. It makes a lot more sense if you are dedicated to waves and don't want an extra board for flat, as everyone pointed out. Don't drive a sports car in the mud..

justaddwater
NSW, 696 posts
10 Jan 2024 8:23AM
Thumbs Up

Late to this one,I cross train a very loose term for running away from to much swell or crowds a lot on our local lake,with various injuries and being older 70 'S,and not having a lot of $$$, I tend to have a one board quiver,and have tried most sizes in boards ,for me the glide is addictive,and have made the decision,to stay on longboard style boards .but I have an old 8.5 snubnose,so every now and the I take that for a spin,to focus on paddling technique, YAW,is a big problem for me with severe shoulder injuries, so this training helps with practicing the j stroke and being more vertical over the rail .IMO Its not about getting there quickly it's about just enjoying the work load,and just being on/in the water

theSeb
288 posts
10 Jan 2024 5:33AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Hoppo3228 said..
I'll add to my initial comment:

IMO It's not that you can't do it on a 8' board - you can, it's just not the perfect tool for the job.

The difference in paddle speed and yaw is enormous between a 8' surf shape sup and a 10-12ft+ longboard type of sup. Night and day difference.


Totally agreed. The difference between paddling the hypernut and the 10.2 Wedge is night and day. Heck, even the 8.8 Spice glides better than the hypernut and it only has like 7 extra litres.

lawnpotter
23 posts
22 Jan 2024 10:00AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
theSeb said..

Hoppo3228 said..
I'll add to my initial comment:

IMO It's not that you can't do it on a 8' board - you can, it's just not the perfect tool for the job.

The difference in paddle speed and yaw is enormous between a 8' surf shape sup and a 10-12ft+ longboard type of sup. Night and day difference.



Totally agreed. The difference between paddling the hypernut and the 10.2 Wedge is night and day. Heck, even the 8.8 Spice glides better than the hypernut and it only has like 7 extra litres.


I have a used carbon hypernut lined up so this is a bit discouraging. I dont mind slow but dont want to go really really slow. I have a carbon 10.2 x 32 surf sup that glides really well on flat water. Will a carbon hypernut be noticeably faster than another layup hypernut ?

lawnpotter
23 posts
22 Jan 2024 12:47PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
supthecreek said..
I found a fin online that turns any board into a fairly straight paddler.
A long base Keel Fin that has Zero Cant, so it sits on the board like a center fin.
It is also 50/50 foil like a center fin.
Found them on AliExpress at $20 USD for 2 fins

When I put this fin on my surf SUPs for a flatwater paddle, they actually get hard to turn.

I have video of me paddling with this fin, but so many of my external Hard Drives that back up my videos have failed, that I don't know if I can find the vid on the surviving drives.




This fin looks great. I cant find it on the net. Do you have a Link ? Does it improve stability as well ? Thanks

Hoppo3228
VIC, 765 posts
22 Jan 2024 4:28PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
lawnpotter said..

theSeb said..


Hoppo3228 said..
I'll add to my initial comment:

IMO It's not that you can't do it on a 8' board - you can, it's just not the perfect tool for the job.

The difference in paddle speed and yaw is enormous between a 8' surf shape sup and a 10-12ft+ longboard type of sup. Night and day difference.




Totally agreed. The difference between paddling the hypernut and the 10.2 Wedge is night and day. Heck, even the 8.8 Spice glides better than the hypernut and it only has like 7 extra litres.



I have a used carbon hypernut lined up so this is a bit discouraging. I dont mind slow but dont want to go really really slow. I have a carbon 10.2 x 32 surf sup that glides really well on flat water. Will a carbon hypernut be noticeably faster than another layup hypernut ?


LP,

No difference in glide IMO if it's the same size. It comes down to its waterline, not material.

supthecreek
2599 posts
22 Jan 2024 9:14PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
lawnpotter said..


supthecreek said..
I found a fin online that turns any board into a fairly straight paddler.
A long base Keel Fin that has Zero Cant, so it sits on the board like a center fin.
It is also 50/50 foil like a center fin.
Found them on AliExpress at $20 USD for 2 fins

When I put this fin on my surf SUPs for a flatwater paddle, they actually get hard to turn.

I have video of me paddling with this fin, but so many of my external Hard Drives that back up my videos have failed, that I don't know if I can find the vid on the surviving drives.





This fin looks great. I cant find it on the net. Do you have a Link ? Does it improve stability as well ? Thanks



I never notice stability changes in fins, so I can't say if they improve stability.

I looked for some time and couldn't find the exact fins I got.
Here are some that I located on AliExpress (where I found mine)
These are all low priced fins, so experimenting is not so costly

NOTE:
AliExpressused to have more pictures and better info on fin foil etc, so it may be a crapshoot to order some of these
---- ALWAYS check two things when ordering from AliExpress -----
#1 Shipping date -- it could be 3 months later... but usually around a week
#2 shipping cost -- the cheaper the fins, the higher the shipping costs (but still cheap in most cases)

I have never had any issues ordering from AliExpress - and on my budget, unfortunately I need to use these sources
----------------------------------------------------------------


1 - If you have a US Center box

www.amazon.com/VAMO-Findestructable-Paddleboards-longboards-Screw-Black/dp/B09XFLDN9D/ref=sr_1_59?crid=3ILTPHEL6YN5R&keywords=surfboard%2Btwin%2Bfin%2B50%2F50%2Bfoil&qid=1705926266&sprefix=surfboard%2Btwin%2Bfin%2B50%2F50%2Bfoil%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-59&th=1






2 - These look to have 50/50 foil and zero cant, but the pics make it a tough call

www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805117073701.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.103.7aff6727gjtjvR&algo_pvid=82c61306-952f-4124-9421-58ed5a93c317&algo_exp_id=82c61306-952f-4124-9421-58ed5a93c317-51&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2116.60%2116.60%21%21%2116.60%2116.60%21%402101f49a17059276445527332e6e69%2112000032556263122%21sea%21US%210%21AB&curPageLogUid=CCeqzfl4q2f5&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A




3 - These have 80/20 foil and look like zero cant, so probably ok if you use both in the side boxes
www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806163723869.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.115.7aff6727gjtjvR&algo_pvid=fa24b90a-cba7-4954-ab68-bd0e1216306f&algo_exp_id=fa24b90a-cba7-4954-ab68-bd0e1216306f-57&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2130.00%2130.00%21%21%2130.00%2130.00%21%402101f49b17059273614146571e60d2%2112000036853273378%21sea%21US%210%21AB&curPageLogUid=cmw4ctzay9Is&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A


NOTE:
after posting I checked these links and the last two don't connect (404 notice)
I try them from my notes on my computer and they work... maybe something to do with posting????

If these don't work, just spend some time searching AliExpress and you will find something that works!!

theSeb
288 posts
22 Jan 2024 11:03PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
lawnpotter said..


theSeb said..



Hoppo3228 said..
I'll add to my initial comment:

IMO It's not that you can't do it on a 8' board - you can, it's just not the perfect tool for the job.

The difference in paddle speed and yaw is enormous between a 8' surf shape sup and a 10-12ft+ longboard type of sup. Night and day difference.





Totally agreed. The difference between paddling the hypernut and the 10.2 Wedge is night and day. Heck, even the 8.8 Spice glides better than the hypernut and it only has like 7 extra litres.




I have a used carbon hypernut lined up so this is a bit discouraging. I dont mind slow but dont want to go really really slow. I have a carbon 10.2 x 32 surf sup that glides really well on flat water. Will a carbon hypernut be noticeably faster than another layup hypernut ?



The construction won't make any appreciable difference, as per Hoppo. You are lighter than me, so you will get a little bit more glide on the Hypernut, but I reckon you will always be fighting that wide nose. I am not sure whether you will be really really slow, or just really slow. At the end of the day, you will still be getting a workout



Subscribe
Reply

Forums > Stand Up Paddle   Board Talk & Reviews


"Shorter boards for flat water" started by lawnpotter