Advice on inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards

Advice on inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards

Author
Discussion

warp9

Original Poster:

1,583 posts

196 months

Monday 16th July 2018
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Hi. In short I want one. Never been on one, but they look great fun. I've got an image in my mind of putting my 6 year old on the front and going paddling round some sea coves on a calm day. Plan would be to put it in the camper and use when appropriate when we visit the coast. We're also spending nearly 3 weeks on the med in Croatia and Italy this summer.

What do I need to know? Would spend up to £500 on a half decent one, not concerned about speed, probably more about buoyancy weight and might be useful to have seats to clip in.
Cheers

lufbramatt

5,318 posts

133 months

Monday 16th July 2018
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They take a fair bit of practice to master! Both stability and making them go where you want. One of my mates had one, you'd be happily paddling along then get a wobble on and be in the water biggrin Not sure how having someone else on it would affect it.

A Kayak might be easier to get places on?

sugerbear

3,961 posts

157 months

Monday 16th July 2018
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I had a go a few week back on a jobe 10’6 thingy.

You need to match the volume of the board to your weight and to decide what you want to use it for. That’s about it. Not as easy as it looks to stand up and my legs were aching after an hour. You can kneel down.

There are loads to choose from, red paddle seem to be one of the best (other makes are jobe, f2, fanatic, bic, starboard amongst others) but decathlon do one for £3-400 which gets good reviews.


Gargamel

14,958 posts

260 months

Tuesday 17th July 2018
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They are good fun, you need a couple of hours to get the hang of it, and you will be in the water a few times.

Obviously bigger is more stable , I have a 3 metre board and it is twitchy for an adult.

Those with three fins in the water are more stable again

They are far better in lakes than on coastal waters, and they are super hard in even a reasonable breeze.

A bit of chop and you will be in the water often, life jacket for the little one.

warp9

Original Poster:

1,583 posts

196 months

Thursday 19th July 2018
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Thanks for the comments guys, will go and have a nosey at Decathalon at the weekend.

Europa1

10,923 posts

187 months

Thursday 19th July 2018
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My impression is that anything inflatable that relies on human power is not a great idea on the sea.

skilly1

2,700 posts

194 months

Thursday 19th July 2018
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I use one in Devon, think it’s a Red. Fine for coastal use, unless big waves. Tide and moderate wind no problem.

LosingGrip

7,806 posts

158 months

Friday 27th July 2018
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Gargamel said:
They are good fun, you need a couple of hours to get the hang of it, and you will be in the water a few times.

Obviously bigger is more stable , I have a 3 metre board and it is twitchy for an adult.

Those with three fins in the water are more stable again

They are far better in lakes than on coastal waters, and they are super hard in even a reasonable breeze.

A bit of chop and you will be in the water often, life jacket for the little one.
Replace a few times with a lot...

I have one of these.

I rented one before and couldn't stay up. This one is longer and wider and after a few (OK a lot) of falls, I can now stay up for ages (my legs do get tired though).

You'll enjoy it though. Nice and peaceful.

I've used mine at Sandbanks Harbour and across at the beach. The sea is harder due to the waves, and also tts on jet skis. It was also deeper (a lot deeper) which I didn't like when I fell off ha.

LosingGrip

7,806 posts

158 months

Friday 27th July 2018
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Forgot to add. Get a dry bag. I keep my phone/wallet/keys in there along with a drink and some food (not chocolate...it melts very quickly!). A electric pump is worth its weight in gold. Mine cost me £40 from Decathlon. Only goes to 15PSI so have to do the last couple by hand, but saves a lot of time (and breath!)