Storing Surfboards

[Charlie]

I'm looking at buying surfboards for next years trip down the West Coast. I don't surf but the family and I have decided that we will learn to do so in Southern Cal and Mexico. A friend has recommended that we get a 9'6" board for me and two 8' boards for the kids. I am trying to figure out how to store them on the boat. Does anyone know where the best place/way to store them?

[Vasco]

I was surprised to find out that some cruisers hang them from the deckhead down below. Same thing with kayaks.

[Michael Jones]

Anyone hear of/experience inflatable surf boards??

[olivertwist]

An inflatable surfboard would not ride well. The rails won't bite in or track well and it's not likely to be stiff enough to hold its shape while you are standing in one spot. You can do alright on the soft-foam BZ boards. Something longer than 7 ft is good for starting out.
If you don't need the quarter berth as a berth that might be a good spot to store it.

[Ex-Calif]

It's getting pretty easy to spot daysailers, weekenders and liveaboards in the marinas. It's got a lot to do with how much crap is stored on deck, how many jury rigged airconditioners, scoops and shade covers and how much laundry is hanging in the rigging - LOL.

All the kayaks and surfboards seem to be stored on their sides against the lifelines with the bicycles...

Last weekend our liveaboard friends hauled 4 bikes for us. Added to their 4 the 8 bikes "disaapeared" into the rest of the detrious on their 51 footer...

[S/V Elusive]

For both Kayaks and Surfboards, I've seen two pretty nifty ways: Outboard side carriers --- basically 'L' shaped brackets that extend outboard of the lifelines - just drop the board/kayak into them and bungie over the top. The other was to add or modify the aft davit/radar/solar panel arch so that there was a 'slot' under or over (depending on configuration) and slide them in there.

Personally, I have my kayaks on top of the house forward of the cockpit (stacked) on the port side. Dinghy (Boston whaler 9'4") is stern forward and slotted into the deck area forward of the mast and extending partially onto the house. Not the greatest, but beats the heck out of losing the dinghy by towing (once was enough). Deck is a bit cluttered with this arrangement, but I don't have (or plan to have) davits.


As Dan says - my bike is tied off and covered attached to the lifelines just aft of midships.

[Charlie]

do a google on inflatable surfboards and you'll find this url:
ULI Boards - Ultra Light Inflatable surfboards, paddleboards, bodyboards
There are some nice videos of the boards in action. I don't know that they would be great surfboards but the video's make them look good. and they would be a hell of a lot easier to store. I'm thinking of buying three when we head to Mexico.

[Charlie]

Originally Posted by S/V Elusive

For both Kayaks and Surfboards, I've seen two pretty nifty ways: Outboard side carriers --- basically 'L' shaped brackets that extend outboard of the lifelines - just drop the board/kayak into them and bungie over the top. The other was to add or modify the aft davit/radar/solar panel arch so that there was a 'slot' under or over (depending on configuration) and slide them in there.

I'm worried about the extra pressure put on the stanchions that would be caused when a wave breaks against the board. Has anybody had experience wwith that type of problem.. I know that I've bent stanchions just by using them to pull myself on to a boat.

[rebel heart]

I've put them on the life lines and some other guys have them on davits, sideways (stretching across both). I've only once had a board and been worried about wind (I don't carry one often), so I threw it overboard on 50' of line with the leash secured to a bowline. It worked, but the line was twisted a bit when I hauled it back onboard the next day.

[caribnsol]

I've made some pads and straps to keep them on top of the dingy davits. They fit well but I haven't gone far with them yet.

[olivertwist]

Charlie,
Thanks for the link on the ULI surfboards. They might be just the thing for a middle-aged cruiser who wants to cruise some waves.
Oliver

[Tnflakbait]

I have an inflatable Kayak. You can put it anywhere. I keep my surfboards in the bows of the catamaran. This may not help, but the forepeak could work for this as well. No one is going to sleep in the forepeak underway so it is a good storage place.
Inflatable boards are cool but they don't work well. They are better to paddle around on then to surf waves. I would never get one (as a surfer).

This is a much more attractive option in my opinion. The Pope Bisect. Pricey though...

The Amazing Pope Bisect Two Piece Travelboard

[Randyonr3]

Something to remember, anything kept on the deck is at the risk of getting lost,
We often, in the past, kept alot of things on the deck, until that one wave a couple of years ago, relieved us of all our goodies. When It hit, tye lies broke and including the dinghy, we lost a lot of things.. we spent a couple hours making circles picking up crap that had washed off the deck.......

[Charlie]

Keeping things on deck is inevitable but a surfboard seems like it would put alot of strain on the stanchions.

Goodluck with it OliverT. the videos make them look good. I'll let you know if I buy one but I don't know how well my info would be since I've never surfed before.

Tnk have you tried one of the ULI Boards. They look farily stiff to me. Carts didn't have wheels till someone thought of it.

[SurfNRG]

I actually have a 9 ft ULI Board stashed in one of my forward berths in my catamaran. It folds up nice into a carry bag along with the Pump. Being that you're a beginner I think it's a perfect option for you. The fins are a bit flexible but the board still turns enough to go down the line. I wouldn't surf it in overhead waves but for small stuff which you'll more than likely be learning on the ULI BOARD will be more than sufficient. You're not gonna win the Pipe Masters on it but I think you'll find it adequate for your needs - especially if storage is of concern. I also find it great for partying on a boat - using it to paddle into shore, etc.. And who said CHARLIE DON'T SURF??? Remember Apocalypse Now?