lassie said..
Am looking to buy a stand up paddle board looking to spend around $1600 all up and want a decent paddle am 6'6 about 110kg and looking for an all rounder something that will allow for me and a small child perhaps dog if he takes to it. any ideas, advice what's going to be ok what's not.
I'm 6'2" and 125 kgs, I have a Naish 14' x 29" 2014 (280 L) I use for flat water and hopefully down winders one day.
I recently purchased a JP fusion 10'8" x 34" (194 L) for the surf.
My first purchase was a SupLove 11' 2" x 29" (180 L).
All of the above boards are great but are more suited to a different type of paddling. I initially thought that I would be more a flatwater paddler with the occasional surf, hence the purchase of the SupLove.
I really enjoy flatwater paddling in enclosed waters, hence the purchase of the Glide.
Lately I have been enjoying surfing, therefore the purchase of the JP Fusion.
The Fusion is incredibly stable and could be used for all types of paddling but would be very slow on a distance paddle.
The issue that I have found with an all rounder is that a board that is better in flat water may not be well suited to the surf due it being longer and narrower.
However a board that is suited to the surf may not perform well in the flat water due to it being shorter, wider and generally with more rocker.
I initially purchased a board that was an all rounder that was more suited to the flatwater and when I ventured into the surf I found it difficult as the board was 11' 2" x 29" (180 L).
My advice would be to determine where you will be paddling and remember that an all round board that is geared towards surfing will still work fine in flat water, it just won't be as fast, bearing in mind that any "all round" board geared towards flatwater is not going to be anywhere near as fast as a dedicated flatwater board.
Have a look at Peter Dorries introductory video on SUP, it has some great advice on boards & paddles.
Follow everyones advice and demo .... demo .... demo.