OK so we're hooked on SUP and need a couple of new boards to get across all the different conditions.

I've got an SB 11'2 and my wife has the SB whopper and we both feel like we need more choice in certain conditions. I was thinking of the SB Element 9.8 x 30 and my wife was thinking of the Converse 9 x 30. The new boards will be for surfing only.

We have no real brand preferance but SB & Naish are the easiest to get our hands on in NZ. C4 is available but expensive in comparision.

Any advice is always appreciated.

Thanks

Dave

Yeah you would of thought they would of picked a less associated name.

Maybe I should re-write this thread as Starboard vs Naish or something as had plenty of hits but no feedback, other than a shoe

Maybe most people are still learners/intermediates and don't know themselves????

Cheers DJ.

Have you tried the whopper as I find the width while great for stability makes it pretty slow on the waves. How have you found the mana as I wonder if at 32 wide its a tad slow too???

I have had the 9'5 mana for a few months now and love it. It surfs well and I can get out and get a few waves when the boys on the more wave oriented boards seem to struggle to stay upright.
I also had a decent go on a 9'8 Star yesterday and it was great to ride as well. Surfs great. I think it probably paddles a bit quicker than the mana.Although they surf about the same to me.
Only downside to the Star seems to be the snapping. Quite a few have broken over here.(seen 2 myself and heard of a few more). Havn't seen anything else snap yet.(knock knock)
The bonus with the mana is Ive had a few people with no surfing background stop me and ask about Sups and is it hard etc. I tell em to get on the Mana and off they go straight up no probs.Awsome learner board.
My thoughts anyway.Can't go wrong with either IMHO.
W

worrier said...


Only downside to the Star seems to be the snapping. Quite a few have broken over here.(seen 2 myself and heard of a few more). Havn't seen anything else snap yet

Thanks worrier seems a bit odd though as they come out of the same factory. Sometimes I think Naish and Starboard almost work together to have all the boards covered between the two brands

I think a go on the 8'5 pocket Rocket to really put things in perspective then back to the 9'1 and hopefully a go on either the PSH 9'3 or 9'6 should help to answer a few questions. At the moment I am leaning towards the 9'1.

NC Surfer said...

DILLIGAF2 said...

worrier said...


Only downside to the Star seems to be the snapping. Quite a few have broken over here.(seen 2 myself and heard of a few more). Havn't seen anything else snap yet

Thanks worrier seems a bit odd though as they come out of the same factory. Sometimes I think Naish and Starboard almost work together to have all the boards covered between the two brands

Not entirely accurate. The Naish Mana comes out of China, not Starboards (Cobra) Thailand factory. The Mana's a full deck and rail PVC sandwich construction.

Starboard offers many different constructions, so it's near impossible to draw conclusions.

P.S. guys, the 9'5 Mana is 31 wide. The 10'0 is 32 wide.

Interesting I was under the impression that Trent Peterson 'Kiwi fella' ran the best board factory i.e Cobra and they did all the best brands and china was the second tier cheaper brands. Cobra does Naish windsurf boards (still do to my knowledge but I could be wrong) and allot of other better brands windsurf boards too

9'5 x 31 could fit the bill for my next board 32 wide was putting me off but 31 wouldn't mess with the speed as much imo.