Has anyone paddled either of the Sunova Search or Venture boards? The new construction looks amazing and is apparently quite light.
Select to expand quoteMinnos said..
Has anyone paddled either of the Sunova Search or Venture boards? The new construction looks amazing and is apparently quite light.
The new series are certainly great construction and performance, having several of them - Not yet seen photos nor reviews of either of the models you mention, ... only the basic details in the Sunova Sup catalogue, but I would be keen to hear about and trial the Search for sure.
Looks like you are going to have to be the first one to get a 14' Search and write a review Minnos! :D I'm a few months off buying one ... but its on my wishlist!
I've been riding the search for almost 1.5 years now. It's a great board to do a lot of things. Downwinding with actual surfabity is probably the most amazing one. It's also a great allrounder for flat water and fast at it. Stable and easy to ride.
Bert will explain his ideas tomorrow. And SurfFX is getting some in their coming container. But I guess the way it looks they are sold already. Well at least we will get comments from Non-Sunova team making it real ;-)
Where are these made, Thailand, China or ...? There is mention of these being "hand crafted XXX Tec" in the promos; does this mean they are produced using standard custom production methods?
For what I know (cause I dont work for Sunova nor in the industry) - they are made in Thailand, in Sunova's own factory... and the production is far from "standard". Sunova Sups are works of art, and although they are putting out a fair few units each month - they remain very much a hand crafted board. I believe you can request modifications or variance in pre existing designs, or just throw an idea at Bert for something very unique. However, the current range is comprehensive - and my experience of owning four (soon to be five) Sunova Sup models, is that they work, and work very well!I am going to give my Search a real flogging once it gets here! :D
Hey Kuz, Baddog,
I will have to de-miystify this a little bit. But thanks. History time...
All boards are made in Thailand at The Board Factory Co., Ltd. That is fully owned by Bert, me and another Partner.
So Bert Burger is obviously the magic person behind the Firewire technology and who started that Brand with Nev in the beginning.
I am Tino and i worked for Cobra International (legendary Thai Factory) for app. 7 years running the Kiteboarding, Wakeboarding, and Skimboard department, responsible for app. 120 boards/day (which compared to the app. 850 boards of Cobra in total was small, i admit).
The 3rd guy (lets call him "the 3rd guy") is in the background coming from an Automotive company and is a LEAN manufacturing guru. This was what brought us all together. Me and "the 3rd guy" started the The Board Factory and met Bert and we immediately loved each other TECHNICALLY and ever since.
So at this moment we make 1 board every 3 hours, 6 times every day (except Sundays or some Saturdays) in one LEAN CELL (Its a Toyota Production System - TPS). Once you guys need more boards we will add an EXACT duplicated copy of this 1st cell while continuously improving that first cell and always keep them separated.
So much for the details now, as we don't want to bore anyone. If anyone is interested we can start a Manufacturing post maybe....
So. It takes app. 46 steps to make a board and app. 25 hours for 1 SUP. The exact steps are in fact not much different from how a custom maker would do it. Just possibly better organised and more often. And the Garage is bigger!
We designed this Production CELL in a way (which is actually a great feature of the LEAN or Toyota Production System) that EVERY single board we add in new can be a totally different one. In fact if you were to walk thru here (NOT!) you would see almost no board being the same in a row.
In fact we have more than 600 SKUs that people can just order, while in Bert's head are another unlimited more... Just need to ask for it.
So Kuz is absolutely right when he mentioned that we also thus just make custom boards. If you are ok to wait (and pre-pay you shop) for a totally individual board that no problem. The downside will obviously be the price a bit, or the lead time. we estimate app. 6-10 weeks depending on the time anyone orders.
Our current range is worked in with the BEST shops on Australia and specialized just a few month before the season, so it should almost be not necessary to customise. But don't hassle to ask.
Once again. Most importantly "baddog". Everything is made in Thailand. With a great team of workers that in fact right now are going of for a Windsurfing session.
Have fun on the water. And once again thanx for the great feedback.
Tino
Sunova Boys,
These boards look great and the new line up found here www.dropbox.com/s/oo1uk6a64sdurcw/2015-Sunova-SUP_V06.pdf?dl=0 has a good range, something for everyone 
I have noticed though that the "insane" gun (9'10" x 29" x 4.5" at 140L) is absent. I know that a custom order is an option but is there no demand for a production gun?
As Piros mentions in this post (www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/New-Sunova-Sups/) the Insane works great for big stuff but may be versatile in small conditions, something I found from a mates 12' Simon Anderson.
I reckon the 12' Search would be great for the same reasons such as "searching" for waves on bombies and reefs that involves a long distance paddle, but still gets you riding waves when not much else will work when there is minimal wave size.
Select to expand quoteTino42 said..
I've been riding the search for almost 1.5 years now. It's a great board to do a lot of things. Downwinding with actual surfabity is probably the most amazing one. It's also a great allrounder for flat water and fast at it. Stable and easy to ride.
Bert will explain his ideas tomorrow. And SurfFX is getting some in their coming container. But I guess the way it looks they are sold already. Well at least we will get comments from Non-Sunova team making it real ;-)
Any for Natural Necessity??
Select to expand quotePottyMullet said..
I have noticed though that the "insane" gun (9'10" x 29" x 4.5" at 140L) is absent. I know that a custom order is an option but is there no demand for a production gun?
I would suggest that the ACID series have replaced the Insane - I have an 8'8" Acid XL.... and although its supposed to be like a widebody that other brands put out - its not exactly "tubby" at 30" wide, the standard acid being 28.5 wide at that length. I think that the 2015 models have consolidated the range from the previous offerings - which seemed to double up somewhat. Now you have a lot clearer range of purpose and performance. The tagging of the XL on the Skate, Acid and Style models was a good idea for mine - rather than a whole new name, when basically they have the same outlines, just a bit "fatter".
Select to expand quoteMinnos said..Tino42 said..
I've been riding the search for almost 1.5 years now. It's a great board to do a lot of things. Downwinding with actual surfabity is probably the most amazing one. It's also a great allrounder for flat water and fast at it. Stable and easy to ride.
Bert will explain his ideas tomorrow. And SurfFX is getting some in their coming container. But I guess the way it looks they are sold already. Well at least we will get comments from Non-Sunova team making it real ;-)
Any for Natural Necessity??
Hi PottyMullet, You are right. the Insane was Bert's gun style take on SUPS and we had great reviews, but the Shops all believed (probably rightly so) that only a very limited number of people would want one. On top our "little" range was becoming pretty extensive as well, so as in a book sometimes we had to cut something out. The board is great as tested by a few people and us, as well as the ones who bought some. And as i mentioned before that we can do anything just sometime a bit more expensive, or longer waiting time. This board would not EVEN be a custom, as it already exists. Just tell your shop or us you want one and then we find a way to get it to you or in fact anyone else who needs one. Thanx, TinoSelect to expand quotePottyMullet said..
Sunova Boys,
These boards look great and the new line up found here www.dropbox.com/s/oo1uk6a64sdurcw/2015-Sunova-SUP_V06.pdf?dl=0 has a good range, something for everyone
I have noticed though that the "insane" gun (9'10" x 29" x 4.5" at 140L) is absent. I know that a custom order is an option but is there no demand for a production gun?
As Piros mentions in this post (www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/New-Sunova-Sups/) the Insane works great for big stuff but may be versatile in small conditions, something I found from a mates 12' Simon Anderson.
I reckon the 12' Search would be great for the same reasons such as "searching" for waves on bombies and reefs that involves a long distance paddle, but still gets you riding waves when not much else will work when there is minimal wave size.
Hi PottyMullet,
You are right. The Insane was Bert's gun style take on SUPS and we had great reviews, but the Shops all believed (probably rightly so) that only a very limited number of people would want one. On top our "little" range was becoming pretty extensive as well, so as in a book sometimes we had to cut something out.
The board is great as tested by a few people and us, as well as the ones who bought some. And as i mentioned before that we can do anything just sometime a bit more expensive, or longer waiting time. This board would not EVEN be a custom, as it already exists. Just tell your shop or us you want one and then we find a way to get it to you or in fact anyone else who needs one.
Thanx, Tino
That's good news Tino, thanks.
I'm sure there are others out there who would be stoked to hear that it can be done.
Select to expand quoteTino42 said..
I am Tino and i worked for Cobra International (legendary Thai Factory) for app. 7 years running the Kiteboarding, Wakeboarding, and Skimboard department, responsible for app. 120 boards/day (which compared to the app. 850 boards of Cobra in total was small, i admit).
So at this moment we make 1 board every 3 hours, 6 times every day (except Sundays or some Saturdays) in one LEAN CELL (Its a Toyota Production System - TPS).
Tino
Dear Timo,
I am stateside, and Sunova's presence here seems spotty at best with surfboards and a complete unknown for SUPs, except of course your website (outdated). I care about build quality and a distributor who will stand behind the product. I'll take it that behind your build philosophy is a board construction that could of come out of the Cobra factory.
Will the Search be available in the USA ?
Thanks.
P.S. Anyone surf one of these yet?
Select to expand quoteLordKuz said..
Looks like you are going to have to be the first one to get a 14' Search and write a review Minnos! :D I'm a few months off buying one ... but its on my wishlist!
Just been into Natural Necessity and asked about their next container load, but no Search in there. Have to wait for the next one. More chance to save the lunch money! Like you, I think mine could get a workout too when I eventually get one. Pictures of it below look great - looks pretty surfable for the downwinders. Not too much volume or corky but enough for a bit of an adventure when there's no surf or wind. Saw a Fast on the wall when I was there. That looks like a great flatwater arrow too. So many boards .....
Select to expand quoteMinnos said..LordKuz said..
Looks like you are going to have to be the first one to get a 14' Search and write a review Minnos! :D I'm a few months off buying one ... but its on my wishlist!
Just been into Natural Necessity and asked about their next container load, but no Search in there. Have to wait for the next one. More chance to save the lunch money! Like you, I think mine could get a workout too when I eventually get one. Pictures of it below look great - looks pretty surfable for the downwinders. Not too much volume or corky but enough for a bit of an adventure when there's no surf or wind. Saw a Fast on the wall when I was there. That looks like a great flatwater arrow too. So many boards .....
Well.. there IS a Search in the next container - and its got my name on it. (arrives late this month) Turns out Ill have to be the one to give feedback on it. Yep... certainly cannot wait to put it to use. I am keen to ride a couple of offshore breaks and some washed out surf with it... . but certainly they are going to be totally suitable for downwind and flatwater use.
Select to expand quoteTino42 said..
I've been riding the search for almost 1.5 years now. It's a great board to do a lot of things. Downwinding with actual surfabity is probably the most amazing one. It's also a great allrounder for flat water and fast at it. Stable and easy to ride.
Bert will explain his ideas tomorrow. And SurfFX is getting some in their coming container. But I guess the way it looks they are sold already. Well at least we will get comments from Non-Sunova team making it real ;-)
Tino,
Are you riding the 12' or 14'?
Tino,
The 14’ Search looks like it could be a fun downwind board. How does it fare in light and festive DW conditions ?
You mentioned you can put out custom boards. I’m curious what a tweeked Search would be like in 26” or 27” wide. (I’m 73Kg)
