Definitely one to avoid!!

> 10 years ago
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BillyD
BillyD
30 posts
30 posts
30 Dec 2010 2:57pm
This possibly has to be the worst paddleboard I've ever seen. It's also quite an amusing object lesson in how to rip off and annoy as many brands as possible in one go.

www.islandinflatables.com.au/product-type/stand-paddle-boards

11' long, 28" wide, and it pumps up to 10psi. That has just got to be absolutely horrible! But what's more funny is the sheer brazen cheek of the page. They've called it an iSUP which really isn't going to make any friends over at C4, I guess seeing as they've registered that trademark. And that pic of the guy with the blue shorts has been ripped off straight from the Uli website. Looks like some other Uli and C4 pix in there too. And then they claim it's the first inflatable of its kind in Oz (to make sure that Red Air et al are all insulted too) Actually, to be fair, I guess it probably is the first inflatable that's 11' long, 28" wide.

I also really like 'If its strong enough to be used in the bottom of our boats it has plenty of strength for a surfboard'. Yep, that old boat-bottom-strength factor is something I always like to keep in mind when choosing a new surfboard.

Seriously though, the worry is that someone might be fooled enough to buy this crap, thinking it is what the sport is about. And we won't ever see them again. But you gotta admire their sheer cheek, just ripping off all the other inflatable brands' pix (and name) like that.

Definitely my nomination for 'worst SUP board of the decade' so far.
Lobes
Lobes
885 posts
885 posts
30 Dec 2010 3:32pm
Have you paddled it?
BillyD
BillyD
30 posts
30 posts
30 Dec 2010 3:53pm
are you kidding?

No, and hope I never have to. I know exactly what an inflatable at 10psi feels like, and I know what a 28" x 11' board feels like, and even just mentally mixing those two gives me the collywobbles.

But if you're inferring that maybe I shouldn't judge without having tried it, then yes, fair call. I am making assumptions. But one could be forgiven for thinking that if they genuinely have spent time trying to come up with a good design, and have worked out how to make a board function well at those dimensions and that pressure - that they could at least have used a few of their own pix instead of ripping off a bunch from Uli and C4 I think that basically opens the doors for all and sundry to point and laugh.
GizzieNZ
GizzieNZ
4103 posts
4103 posts
31 Dec 2010 5:17am
Quality can't be tooooooo bad if they're offering a 3 year warranty I guess. Especially if it will do the down river thing as seemingly indicated in their photos. Wouldn't mind a 3 year warranty on any epoxy sup i buy lol
BillyD
BillyD
30 posts
30 posts
31 Dec 2010 8:03am
I thought that too, but the small print says

3.1. This warranty is as follows: A 3 year guarantee on the base fabric and 3 year on the seams that the fabric of which the Product is manufactured will maintain its original purpose under normal conditions during such period.

This warranty also does NOT cover:
4.1. Normal discolouration, dulling, or crazing of the fabric;
4.2. Abrasions, tears, or punctures;
4.3. Normal colour fading;
4.4. Damage to or deterioration of the fabric due to UV exposure;
4.5. Damage or deterioration of the fabric due to exposure to fuel, harsh solvents, or other chemicals;
4.6. Seam separation due to heat exposure.

And a whole lot more small print including not covering for 'normal worn fabric'.

So it's not really much of a warranty at all. From what we've seen of other single-skin inflatables, the board will be a faded, blotchy mass of patches and repairs long before the seams wear out. Especially as they're not covering UV degradation either.
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