Windsurfing on SUPs

[ittiandro]

Hi
I just bought an inflatable SUP with Windsurfing option. It is a Freeinsport board made in China, sold by Amazon though the US subsidiary of the Chinese manufacturer, on the West coast.
I am not new to windsurfing, but I always had hardboards.
I am pleasantly surprised because with the SUP I can use a 5.2 m2 sail in about 12 knts winds , which has always been impossible in such light winds with larger hardboards, like my 11 ft Tahe .

I weigh 85 kg .
I wonder why a 5.2 does so well. At times, it even got me on the edge of overpowering and almost planing..
The only down-side is that the SUP is very bouncy. Like riding on a balloon, which makes keeping balance a bit of a challenge. But it is OK. I'll have to practice .

The board feels appropriately stiff, almost as stiff as a hardboard, even though, manually, it is next to impossible to inflate it to the 14 psi pressure recommended by the manufacturer. I can only get to around 10 psi.
I tried two electrical pumps, but I have problems due the inflation hose nozzles which for some reason do not fit snug enough with the board valve and let air leak out. Probably the Chinese manufacturer overlooked the US standards.


I wonder if anybody can comment on this

Thanks

Ittiandro

[Tin Tin]

Had a Naish version, 10 psi is ok, getting it harder is possible with a decent manual pump or even a tire inflator with the right fitting, harder is better. We also towed it behind a dinghy with ski handle for a blast. Don't leave it inflated in the sun.

[JPA Cate]

Don't leave it inflated in the sun.

Ah, yes, the magic exploding SUP!

Had it happen to a hypalon dinghy once. Not the nicest feeling, when you discover it after a hike.

[sagablu]

On a 5.2 sail in 12 knots you are not overpowered. You are feeling a lot of pull because of the drag from the large board. A smaller board would make the sail handling easier with more speed . However i get it, having an easy to deal with dual purpose board is nice, but of course a compromise.