Standup Paddleboard - what to buy?

[inactionman]

The missus is keen and I'm up for giving it a punt - what exactly am I letting myself in for, and what's a good brand to be buying?

I've tried it once before, as a break from dinghy sailing in Greece, and it was more a kneeldown wobbleboard but I'm sure I'll pick it up.

[Kawazaki]

The main thing you'll need is plenty of room to store it in for the 364.5 days a year you won't use it.

[Mr Bungle]

The main thing you'll need is plenty of room to store it in for the 364.5 days a year you won't use it.

A few friends have inflatable ones that when inflated go well. They’re very rigid. Good storage option.

[Niegs]

I bought a cheap inflatable off a fella who was thinking about getting one for him and the wife. She was thinking the same and bought the exact same one. (Fun story, doesn't help with your decision making. )

... but I really like this, no more than $350 on Amazon.



Edit: crikey, they're all under $300 now online! If you're not going to use it all the time and not going to be a big wave surfer, mostly just puttering about, go cheap inflatable and the ones with the all-in package (paddle, fin, pump, strap, backpack, etc.)

Mine only has just the one fin and it does twist about after three strokes requiring me to switch hands (fnarr!), or sides, rather. Three fins should keep you going straighter. I'm kinda crap with balance whilst standing in all but calm water, so do more kneeling and even sitting, using a kayak paddle that separates (brilliant fitness while sitting with that, goes faster than in a cheap kayak!). I keep it under the bungees at the front if I'm using the single blade or vice versa.

I'm surprised how thick the material is and how sturdy they are. I assumed it'd be short step up from the things you take the beach and inflate with your mouth, but I reckon this will last years. I read that the longer you get, the more stable it is, but then it could be a bit more cumbersome if you want to be more agile / surf. The above is 10'6" and I'm about 200lbs, can barely notice any displacement, tbh.

[inactionman]

I bought a cheap inflatable off a fella who was thinking about getting one for him and the wife. She was thinking the same and bought the exact same one. (Fun story, doesn't help with your decision making. )

... but I really like this, no more than $350 on Amazon.



Edit: crikey, they're all under $300 now online! If you're not going to use it all the time and not going to be a big wave surfer, mostly just puttering about, go cheap inflatable and the ones with the all-in package (paddle, fin, pump, strap, backpack, etc.)

Mine only has just the one fin and it does twist about after three strokes requiring me to switch hands (fnarr!), or sides, rather. Three fins should keep you going straighter. I'm kinda crap with balance whilst standing in all but calm water, so do more kneeling and even sitting, using a kayak paddle that separates (brilliant fitness while sitting with that, goes faster than in a cheap kayak!). I keep it under the bungees at the front if I'm using the single blade or vice versa.

I'm surprised how thick the material is and how sturdy they are. I assumed it'd be short step up from the things you take the beach and inflate with your mouth, but I reckon this will last years. I read that the longer you get, the more stable it is, but then it could be a bit more cumbersome if you want to be more agile / surf. The above is 10'6" and I'm about 200lbs, can barely notice any displacement, tbh.

Ta mate - we're looking at on of the all-in packages, quite a few places sell them for around £250 so will probably just go with the one that take the greatest weight/biggest gut.

I'm not keen to buy second-hand as I'm worried about hidden damage given it needs to be airtight.

It looks like ten and a half feet is the default size, I'll go with that unless I see something else at a good price. I'm not likely to try surfing on the fecking thing, although like the idea of getting something stable.

Not sure on brands, at the price I'm aiming at I'm not sure it makes much of a difference.

[Niegs]

I'm not keen to buy second-hand as I'm worried about hidden damage given it needs to be airtight.

Not sure on brands, at the price I'm aiming at I'm not sure it makes much of a difference.

Wise move! I wouldn't trust anyone's previous handling/reason for selling an inflatable unless I knew them, and the prices are pretty good, so not that big a risk.

It wouldn't surprise me if all of those ones on Amazon are the same or the same specs despite the different names. I've no insight on brands but best of luck!

[S/Lt_Phillips]

The trick to stop the wobble is to clench your bum.

I'm sure this advice can also apply to other situations if you use your imagination...