SUP Advice Needed

[Seaworthy Lass]

I would love to hear from any cruisers using an inflatable SUP. Any info would be useful .

I am 5'6", slim to medium build, but it would be good to have a board capable of carrying someone heavier.

Recommended brands? (I will be purchasing online from the UK)

Best length and shape for touring, capable of handling choppy water? (no surfing or white water rafting)

Can the board be left inflated for days/weeks?

Is the hand pump OK for inflating?

Are any brands/models more UV resistant than others?

Is it a novelty item that you tired of quickly?

Thanks in advance .

[Coops]

That should read "I am 5'6'' and bloody gorgeous." I have an inflatable named SWL but we will not go into that.

Coops.

[Wotname]

Coops, who cares what height the OP is...

Sorry SWL, can't help with your question, I don't even know what a SUP is although Coops seems to know.

[Coops]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Coops, who cares what height the OP is...

Sorry SWL, can't help with your question, I don't even know what a SUP is although Coops seems to know.

I was talking about myself Wotty.

Coops.

[Wotname]

Oh, sorry then

[Coops]

I see her post is getting some really helpful replies so far.

Coops.

[Wotname]

Yep, a shipload

[Wotname]

OK, I will try to more helpful...

SUP = Stand Up Paddle

[ullar]

There's no better thing than a good laugh... may be.
Anyways, would be very interested to hear from somebody using SUP when cruising. Have been looking to buy one too.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Wotname

OK, I will try to more helpful...

SUP = Stand Up Paddle

SUP = Stand Up Paddleboard

I figured wrongly that if I popped the initialism in, the responses would be mainly from members who knew what one was

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

SUP = Stand Up Paddleboard

I figured wrongly that if I popped the initialism in, the responses would be mainly from members who knew what one was

How can you get a paddleboard to stand up? Doesn't it just fall over if stood on one end? (especially the pointy one?)

[Paul L]

We bought 2 of the Tower boards online. Only had them 3 months, so can't attest to their longevity. We blow them up when we are somewhere for awhile and leave them blown up on deck. They paddle pretty easily. The pump let's you get them very stiff. So far we use them 3 or 4 nights a week.

[bgallinger]

Ok, I'll bite. whuts a "stand up paddle"???

[Tingum]

OK I'll actually try and answer the question. Don't get an inflatable one! They are just as heavy as a solid one, maybe even heavier. Deflating it turns it into a big heavy blob that rolls up into a big amorphous mass that takes two to drag around. It is close to the size of a 30 gallon drum and a true bugger to move about. As for use it is much more wobbly than a solid board. Please try one before you buy!

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Tingum

OK I'll actually try and answer the question. Don't get an inflatable one! They are just as heavy as a solid one, maybe even heavier. Deflating it turns it into a big heavy blob that rolls up into a big amorphous mass that takes two to drag around. It is close to the size of a 30 gallon drum and a true bugger to move about. As for use it is much more wobbly than a solid board. Please try one before you buy!

Thanks for the advice. It is all appreciated.

I did try an inflatable - it was a Naish, I think around 12'. So rock solid it was hard to believe it had been inflated. The problem for me is storage on long passages (eg Atlantic crossing). This is a long term toy and I wouldn't want it lashed to the stanchions when beating. Securing it well to the deck otherwise is not really possible.

The bulk will not be a problem to store and even the larger ones only weigh around 24lbs, so going inflatable seemed like a good idea.

I have read one comment that they cannot be stored inflated for long periods and that would be a pain in summer. It would be useful to know if anyone keeps theirs inflated for weeks on end. I haven't found this info anywhere.