Im looking at purchasing my first SUP and have been to a few of the obvious shops around perth but was wondering if there are any hiden away anywhere? Maybe any windsurf/ kitesurf/ surf shops that also have a couple of sups for sale?
Also I'm getting a little confused as to what SUP I should be buying, obviously the guys that sell star-board tell me that star-board are the ducks nuts so was after some personal opinions.
I do like the Mistral Pacifico for the windsurf option as it'll be more about maximum fun per $ than anything else but haven't found a new one anywhere in perth to look at yet.
I am 78kg 6 foot non surfer who will use it mainly for flat water paddling but would like the option to try a bit of fun in small waves occasionaly.
Any help, comments, feedback will be greatly accepted.
my 2 cents worth. you can do a lot better than the brand your interested in. I've SUPed the Mistral Pacifico. IMHO it's not in the same league as the Starboard. The Starie 11 2 does have a windsurfing option.
Get yourself a big ol' classic 11'6" Naish and be done with it... Easy-peasy.
If I only had one board that'd be it... Anyway.. that's what I reckon..
Good luck with your SUP shopping.. and welcome to the Breeze..
DJ
I do like the look of the naish, I'll have to go get a demo on one. Might be a stupid question but what do you do for traction on a board with no deck grip? I just assumed waxing a board that size would be a pain in the #*¥e????
Starboard 12'6" does it all, easy starting family board, excellent glide and flat water speed (different league to Mistral Pacifico and Naish 11'6") narrowish rails means that it surfs surprisingly well and tail rocker allows it to turn fast. Perfect windsurf board (or if you really want that get the one with the centreboard) for light wind or waves.
I've never tried the SB 12 but I own a SB 11'2 which is great for waves and distance but nothing like 12'6 for distance (11'2 is fantastic in small waves though). 11'2 also windsurfs fine but doesn't seem to have the upwind ability of the 12'6 for me.
If flat water and glide is what you will mainly be doing I don't believe that there is anything in the same class except the Naish Glide - but it has nothing like the stability and rough open water ability.
Just my opinion but interesting to note that the Ke Nalu test of racing/downwind/distance boards used the 12'6" Starboard as the reference production board to compare with. The final analysis will be out in a day or two but I bet it will get a good wrap and the Naish Glide will also be in there. www.kenalu.com
I'm pro Starboard but also own a Naish so I'm not completely one eyed!
Have been fortunate to paddle Jonathans Starboard 12'6 a bit and to me it is the perfect board for beginners all the way up to advanced intermediate (probably where I'm at).
Naish are good boards too (my usual ride) but I think for combination of glide, surfability and stability the SB 12'6 is as good as it gets. If I only paddled in flat water and was concerned about distance covered I'd probably go for the Naish Glide but if it was more about fun, paddling around and maybe teaching my mates I'd go with the Starboard. The Glide is quicker but not that forgiving in any sort of waves. The Naish 11'6 and 11'4 also paddle quite well but not as quick as the Starboard in flat water IMHO.
Starboard also comes with a full deck nose-to-tail pad. The alternative is to either buy an after party pad to apply or (yes) hit it with heaps of wax. Believe it or not at 6' and 80kg the 12'6 is not too big for you either.
ill def get down to pelican point for a demo. I had written off the 12'6 because I hadn't heard too much about it and to be honest I'd be pushing for storage space but will definatly give it a demo.
I heard WA Surf in safety bay deal in mistral so went down for a look. After driving around for a while I found there "store" in a shed out the back of the local deli. They had no new boards there only 2 second handers, 1 pacifico and 1 wave. The wave had a crease straight across the board so thats that decision made for me. the pacifico wasn't too bad once i wiped all the sand and salt from it, the usual chips along the rails and a chip in the fin but when I asked the price I almost fell over, $1750 with 2nd hand naish plastic paddle! I laughed for a while then realised he was serious. (the new batch of mistrals rrp @ $1699 w/paddle) after saying i was a serious buyer with cash in my pocket and for the right price i'd be interested he dropped to $1600. Needless to say I walked away empty handed.
I am definatly leaning towards the SB but will need to demo them against the Naish before I hand over my hard earned.
