Hi everyone. Here's another first board thread. So, here's what I'm looking for:

I'm in the Socal/Newport Beach area. I've been going to my local paddling club and renting out 12'6 BICs for some time, but I need a change. I don't yet want to surf with the board as I don't have time to stand around waiting for waves.

I think ultimately, I would want to paddle out into the ocean, go upwind, come back downwind and catch a bump or two if I see any. Honestly though, I will probably be doing a lot more flat water paddling due to time constraints.

I am in the 210lb range, but it would be nice if my wife could ride it as well, weighing quite a bit less.

I'm looking into the Naish Glide GS 14. Any opinions on this? Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Toros

A really versatile board that glides well is the Starboard Touring 14.  It comes in AST and Carbon 29" and 30" wide. Great to learn on and progress - excellent for 10+ mile paddles up down and cross in slop and chop.  This is a very popular board that works well in lakes and inlet ocean.  The 12'-6" will be a bit small  for you - we use a 14 Carbon - for light paddlers it will feel a tad corky but is fine.  My wife uses this most and she loves it.  She rides the dom and v2 also but loves the touring.

Just a tad slower than a dominator but faster than a Bullet 14v2 on flat.  The 30" feels bombproof the 29" sportier.  Once waves pick up the 30" feel quite stable.  It uses a flat nose piercing top soft rails double concave and clean release pin tail.  288L.

Have used it often for longer excursions and downwind in 25+ kts.  No problem - easy.  Only in short period steep waves it feels a tad tippy.  In bigger wind the Bullet is the board - fast to plane and easy with minimal pearling.

Any new riders we put on the Touring and they are hooked immediately.  There must be 5 or 6 now just from test rides sharing stoke.

Always demo demo demo to avoid buyer's remorse.  Many manufactures are moving many touring type boards as most paddlers do not race or do big DW.  Add a Gladiator fin and get a lightweight carbon paddle and you should be good.

 

Hi everyone. Here's another first board thread. So, here's what I'm looking for:

I'm in the Socal/Newport Beach area. I've been going to my local paddling club and renting out 12'6 BICs for some time, but I need a change. I don't yet want to surf with the board as I don't have time to stand around waiting for waves.

I think ultimately, I would want to paddle out into the ocean, go upwind, come back downwind and catch a bump or two if I see any. Honestly though, I will probably be doing a lot more flat water paddling due to time constraints.

I am in the 210lb range, but it would be nice if my wife could ride it as well, weighing quite a bit less.

I'm looking into the Naish Glide GS 14. Any opinions on this? Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Toros

I'm here in Huntington Beach.
I have the Naish, Starboard, Etc...
I can email the availability and Pricing..
Some great Discounts right Now..

Lot's of great info. Thanks. I really agree with the 'demo' advice, and I give the same advice when I'm asked about bikes, but, even being in SoCal, I am not finding any of these boards for demo. Maybe I am looking in the wrong places. Also, not knowing a huge amount at this point, I probably need a can't-go-wrong-with kind of board.

I am pretty happy paddling around the 12-6 BICs. Perhaps I should stick with that. But I have a feeling I will want more of a board once I go out into the ocean.

And the noses on those boards are really different. The naish almost seems more forgiving since it seems like it may punch through easier.

-t

That F14 looks beautiful, but I think due to convenience reasons (having found one nearby) I am leaning strongly towards the Glide.

On that nose, has anyone paddled the Glide (or something similar) at around 130lbs? Is there such a thing as a too big board for flatwater/downwind purposes?

Thanks.

To make things more complicated, I was just recommended an Amundson TRT 14. If anyone has any thoughts on that, or a comparison, please don't hold back.

Thanks,

-t

The Amundson TRT is extremely stable and really versatile. I have had one out in 2 to 3 foot chop and it did well upwind, downwind and it was very easy to paddle in cross chop/swell. One of the more versatile options for sure, but it is a big board. 34.5 pounds and 304 litres big. Good for you, but a bit big for your wife imo. It would work but might be a little corky for her. I think a Naish Glide 14 X 29 might be a little easier for her, but it's still a lot of board for a 130 pounder. I wouldn't rule out a 12'6" either. I have a starboard touring, and it was mentioned that it would be too small for you, but it's not at all. I also weigh in the 210-215 range and I have loaded it with 40 pounds of gear and gone camping. It would be fine for what you want to do, but once again, it's a lot of volume for a 130 pound female, but it would work.