G’day Adapt
Hopefully I can answer your question. I first got into Downwind SUPing when I first went to Maui in 2007. I saw these 16ft SIC f16’s in action on Maliko Gulch & defected from my 18ft prone infront paddleboard then & there & have never looked back as I’d rather stand up than kneel or lie down ( leave the prone paddleboards for the clubbies & the SUP for the surfers ) more fun.
The 12’6’’ SUP are best sooted to the BOP ( Battle Of the Paddle ) style of racing as you are going in & out of the surf break. There are a lot of 12’6ers on da market. I’m producing one as we speak. Called:- LOW PRESSURE - LIGHTNING STRIKES
The 12’6’’ are really not sooted for Downwind Paddling!
The Unlimited SUP 16ft - 20ft is where its at if you wana get into OCEAN Downwind Paddling again there are a lot of companies making these Unlimited SUP’s some are worth there money in Gold & some are not worth Two Bob.
The 14’ SUP’s is more of a money spinner for the companies. My good friend Charlie from Maui who is best mates with Roby Naish paddles a 14ft Naish after paddling with him on Maui said to me when he was on Namotu Island this year said to me you wait till next year Phil when I get my hands on a SIC f16.

see ya in da ocean
DW

I agree with DW.

From our group's limited exposure to Down Wind Boards, we've found that the 16-18ft Unlimited Boards, are a fair bit quicker than 14 foot, both DW and flat water.

12'6 is really a BOP specialty board.

Unlimited Boards / Ocean Down Wind Boards, are roughly as fast a 12'6 & 14' race boards (the race boards with the piercing noses), but the Unlimited Boards bring more stability, and are more versatile, for cruising, touring, Down Wind, river training, etc.

But 16-18ft creates some storage and transport issues....

Fixed Rudder - at 14 fixed is fine, but you use your feet, weight, and paddle to help steer. At 16-18ft, you'll be wanting a rudder ! A guy on Stand-up-zone put a fin box into an unlimited board though. He can choose between rudder and fixed now.

It comes down to what you want to do with it, and coin.

Downwinder said...

G’day Adapt
Hopefully I can answer your question. I first got into Downwind SUPing when I first went to Maui in 2007. I saw these 16ft SIC f16’s in action on Maliko Gulch & defected from my 18ft prone infront paddleboard then & there & have never looked back as I’d rather stand up than kneel or lie down ( leave the prone paddleboards for the clubbies & the SUP for the surfers ) more fun.
The 12’6’’ SUP are best sooted* to the BOP ( Battle Of the Paddle ) style of racing as you are going in & out of the surf break. There are a lot of 12’6ers on da market. I’m producing one as we speak. Called:- LOW PRESSURE - LIGHTNING STRIKES
The 12’6’’ are really not sooted* for Downwind Paddling!
The Unlimited SUP 16ft - 20ft is where its at if you wana get into OCEAN Downwind Paddling again there are a lot of companies making these Unlimited SUP’s some are worth there money in Gold & some are not worth Two Bob.
The 14’ SUP’s is more of a money spinner for the companies. My good friend Charlie from Maui who is best mates with Roby Naish paddles a 14ft Naish after paddling with him on Maui said to me when he was on Namotu Island this year said to me you wait till next year Phil when I get my hands on a SIC f16.

see ya in da ocean
DW

*suited

Here we go again some one is dirty on me. A least I say it how it is with 100% truth behind da fact. You're either Jealous or just a plan KOOK with your red thumb (too funny)

A club is forming in SA, first race on the 7th of Nov. We all decided to go 14 footers. Save the 12'6" for guys who want to give it a go on surfing boards. We probally do a combo of flat water and downwind races. 14 is good cos it puts a bit of a restriction on it. 14, one board does it all. Can do BOP, downwinders but still fits on the roof and still goes good for us fatties.

I've owned a 17 , 14 & 12-6 now I have none , because I would rather just surf but what one did I like the most ? the 14....mainly beacuse the 17 is a pain in the arse to store and get out and load on my car. The 14 was still good for downwinders and you could surf it . Beacuse it had a fixed rudder you never had to worry about bending the rudder shaft when you touched the bottom or when you dropped it on the ground.

No doubt the 17's are faster and unless you are really serious about racing beacuse the guys that own them are (like Phill) you will get toasted in races , the 14 fills the gap for the average punter.

My humble opinion.

Rob

P.S:- The 14 is heaps cheaper than a 17.

Yep some good fair points opinions on the 14’ Yep Australia is really pushing the 14’ revolution I know one company that would argue the point because they just in it for da money!!!
Yep companies are making Vacuum Bagged SUP’s to make them cheap for the marked
Yep Vacuum Bagged SUP’s do not go as good as Styro foam Blake SUP’s
Yep I look at a 14’ like you would look at a Mini Mal in the Surf (they want to give it a go but have no idea) the Mini mal is just a quick sale form the surf shops to the KOOKS. Have you honestly ever seen anybody surf a Mini Mal any good!!
Yep the 14’ would be great for a light weight grommet especially female.
Yep the 17’ are expensive but if ya wana play you have to pay. My SUP weighs in at 17.5kg
The East Coast of Australia has great areas for Downwind Paddling look at Brunswick Heads to Hastings Point its just like Maliko on Maui ( That’s GOLD )
99% of the people I’ve speaken with who’ve paddle a 14’ wished they’d purchased a 16’
But you’re happy with a 14’ mate stoked for ya.
This has got to be worth a few red thumbs.

We're way behind over here - there is only on 17' that I know of and it has yet to beat any of the 14's on our downwinders (thats with a few different riders trying) - but I don't see whats wrong with building a strong competitive 14' class? It may not be the formula one of Stand Up but it's a level playing field and the best rider wins.
Maybe we just don't have the conditions here to really appreciate the longer boards strengths - but the original poster wanted to know which class to go for.
If you want the on paper best - go Open
If you want to compete in an even class with many entrants - go 14'
if you are light and concerned about storage and handling - go 12'6

PeterP said...

We're way behind over here - there is only on 17' that I know of and it has yet to beat any of the 14's on our downwinders (thats with a few different riders trying) - but I don't see whats wrong with building a strong competitive 14' class? It may not be the formula one of Stand Up but it's a level playing field and the best rider wins.
Maybe we just don't have the conditions here to really appreciate the longer boards strengths - but the original poster wanted to know which class to go for.
If you want the on paper best - go Open
If you want to compete in an even class with many entrants - go 14'
if you are light and concerned about storage and handling - go 12'6

Plenty of 14's have finished in front of 17's in races here in Aus because all our races end up having some form of cross/upwind legs in them . We are not racing in Maui Maliko Gulch run conditions. Phil has 3 different open class Sic boards (got to love his dedication ) and that's testiment to that fact.

Phill if you had to pick one which Sic board would you race use here in Aus ? I'm all for all 3 classes to get strong here but the original question was "Which Class" should I throw my hard earned bucks at , at this stage I still say it's the 14.

Again this is just my opinion BUT as the sport grows I sure it will lean to the unlimted class mid next year when some money gets behind it....

Rob

Personally for me i love my 14ft for downwind stuff, it has served me very well. However i haven't really had the 17ft in great conditions yet either.

I see myself in the future having 2 or 3 race sup's,

1. unlimited sup (17ft)- downwinders (most of my open high wind downwinders & molokai training)

2. 12'6 BOP stlye sup - Flat water racing and BOP style races. (Also as my morning fitness training board)

And possibly still have a 14ft flatwater race board such as Naish Javline, just for pure flat water races and light wind downwinders & upwind training.

The combs are endless but as long as your happy with your choice. Have fun in all conditions & train hard.

XX angie

Hey Mikeman, I saw that board toady when I was talking to Dale at Burleigh. Very impressive board.

Guy's tell me why a 16 over a 14ft and reverse? I just don't see what the extra 2 foot does for a board over 14ft

Extra length gets earlier tail lift, so you can start sliding and gliding earlier, and longer. (my opinion).