The feedback from my 12ft 6 vs 14ft post was unreal.
I feel the 12'6 might be in a class on it's own and not suitable for a heavyweight like myself.
Let's compare the 14' with the 16-18ft class.
By end of winter I will be looking to pick up my first race board.
I will be paddling flat water 80 percent of the time and DW 20 percent.

hilly said...

At 105kg I am a lot faster on a DC16 than a 14 but a good engine still wins

What's the width & volume of the DC16 ?

I had a DC17 and now have a DC14. The 14 is great in the ocean, surf and in the flat also. His new design literally does it all, fast and stable!

The 16-17-18 are amazing but really only a specific ocean board, in the ocean in good downwind conditions this sized board (in any brand) are unbeatable. Reality is though that these happen no where near enough. They are harder to get in and out of the surf and paddling around the creeks and surf zone on one seems to be just way too much.

Unless you can have a 14 as well as a 12'6 or 17 I'd recommend just getting a 14. You need to take one of Dales new 14's for a paddle.

Yep have tried both, the differences are more just refinements on the existing design. The main difference is flatwater speed. Depending on the conditions you are paddling in and in WA with reliable downwind runs I'd probably prefer the same board without the changes, it has more rocker and less volume in the nose. They are both current designs as far as I know but the original is more downwind focussed. The latest changes are to improve upwind and flat water IMO. Both boards are essentially very similar and the beauty of custom design is that you can make personal changes to the base design.

akhawk said...

CMC said...

I had a DC17 and now have a DC14. The 14 is great in the ocean, surf and in the flat also. His new design literally does it all, fast and stable!

The 16-17-18 are amazing but really only a specific ocean board, in the ocean in good downwind conditions this sized board (in any brand) are unbeatable. Reality is though that these happen no where near enough. They are harder to get in and out of the surf and paddling around the creeks and surf zone on one seems to be just way too much.

Unless you can have a 14 as well as a 12'6 or 17 I'd recommend just getting a 14. You need to take one of Dales new 14's for a paddle.

Have you tried both the current DC14 and the previous one? Is there much difference?

Smaller and lighter paddlers seem to go really well on 14 feet.
Yes, agree with CMC on all that... including two different board designs... Flatter rockers, with "cutter" nose, for flat water, or more rocker with nose uplift is your DW selection.

Unlimited boards are generally Ocean DW Boards. But that SIC F18 is a bit of weapon in general all round conditions. Lacey was sort of saying that the long boards need more power to keep them up and running... more wetted surface for slightly more friction (?), but more water line to get them up and gliding. But the big boards are slightly harder to handle, but by no means unmanageable.

The "cutter" nose (lower nose) can dive a little when you get a good runner, and don't get back on the tail in time, to lift the nose.... But if you keep the board running straight, the nose will pop up... if you're off balance, and/or the tail gets a little nudge from cross swell, you can get "tripped up" or thrown off the board. But that is still good fun ! Getting bucked off the big bronco !

Scotty, try and get a go on an F18. There is a chance you can pick up an F18 at the end the Maui season..... But a local DC is also a brilliant option.

Simondo said...

Smaller and lighter paddlers seem to go really well on 14 feet.
Yes, agree with CMC on all that... including two different board designs... Flatter rockers, with "cutter" nose, for flat water, or more rocker with nose uplift is your DW selection.

Unlimited boards are generally Ocean DW Boards. But that SIC F18 is a bit of weapon in general all round conditions. Lacey was sort of saying that the long boards need more power to keep them up and running... more wetted surface for slightly more friction (?), but more water line to get them up and gliding. But the big boards are slightly harder to handle, but by no means unmanageable.

The "cutter" nose (lower nose) can dive a little when you get a good runner, and don't get back on the tail in time, to lift the nose.... But if you keep the board running straight, the nose will pop up... if you're off balance, and/or the tail gets a little nudge from cross swell, you can get "tripped up" or thrown off the board. But that is still good fun ! Getting

bucked off the big bronco !

Scotty, try and get a go on an F18. There is a chance you can pick up an F18 at the end the Maui season..... But a local DC is also a brilliant option.

Cheers Simondo.
F18 sounds good as I would prefer a board just for flat water no wind. As much as DW's sound like heaps of fun, where I live there aren't to many options. I love glassy smooth flat water and With no wind assistance. My motors going good as I've been using a 10" paddle last few weeks and am getting use to it. I also find when I jump back to my 9" paddle it seems a easier. I would to build up to longer distance for sure.

Scotty88 said...

F18 sounds good as I would prefer a board just for flat water no wind.

F-18's are all one off customs. The new hot board here on Maui is the bullet. It's 17-4, molded and designed for channel crossings. Most of the top racers are using them for maliko too.

If I were in your shoes I'd talk to a local shaper.

Scotty88 said...

mikeman said...

I read your last post with interest and this one also looks pretty good.

As you are a pretty big guy (125kg & 6"2 according to your post) and the fact that you want to do 80%FW vs 20%DW, I reckon that the DC14 by 30" wide would be great for you. Talk to Dale personally and tell him that you want an "80/20" and he will custom build it for you. Simple, really.

My thoughts exactly mikeman. I like the width. DC looks the goods for me. What sort of coin am I looking at for a custom DC ?

There's some indicative pricing on DC's website (but you have to hunt for it, click the picture of the race boards). Best to call Dale direct and have a chat with him, he's a very amenable guy.

Scotty88 said...

mikeman said...

I read your last post with interest and this one also looks pretty good.

As you are a pretty big guy (125kg & 6"2 according to your post) and the fact that you want to do 80%FW vs 20%DW, I reckon that the DC14 by 30" wide would be great for you. Talk to Dale personally and tell him that you want an "80/20" and he will custom build it for you. Simple, really.

My thoughts exactly mikeman. I like the width. DC looks the goods for me. What sort of coin am I looking at for a custom DC ?

FWIW Scotty I'm roughly the same height & weight as you, after trying a few production 14ftrs I've opted for a 14x30 DC for the width & good volume. Looking forward to it's arrival some time next month.