hello all. Yet another newbie here. I'm in information overload. I learned to paddle on a friends very old ark kam islander 2 years ago. She's moved away and it's time to buy my own. I'm a heavy paddler weighing 220 pounds. I also have a friend who would like to ride at 240 pounds. I "think" I've narrowed down my choices to a Starboard Avanti Starshot, a NSP All Rounder or a Imagine Recruit (2104). The Imagine is used but in excellent shape and under $800. The Starbaord and NSP are new. I have $1000 (or less ) to spend on my first board. Ive honestly read too much about boards from cobra vs China and width / liters / weight. I'm losing my mind. I'll be able to test the Starboard and the NSP but I may not be able to get the Imagine in the water. I will primarily paddle is ocean here in Fort Lauderdale. Not interested in riding waves yet and we don't get many anyway. I really like Dave Kalama but I know that isn't a reason to buy a board. The imagine will float 260 pound rider as will the NSP. The starboard will ride 240 pounds but it's the widest of the boards. I know everyone is going to have an opinion and I know everyone is gonna say get on the board first - which I will do next week. I'm super curious about the Imagine because it's a great price and in great shape - knowing this is my first board. Any advice is seriously appreciated. If I do any more research I may lose my mind -ha.
Hi Jam can't tell you anything about the Starboard or Imagine but my wife and I have owned both the NSP 11 x 31 and 10'2 x 32. I am the same weight as you, new to SUP but old prone surfer. The 10'2 does everything OK and nothing well, ok in surf but doesn't paddle straight even with the fin pushed right back. Too heavy for my wife. The 11' is good on flat water for my size - but I couldn't turn it in the surf - it was a total tanker, not very stable in white water either. But you don't want to surf. So if you you want a good cruiser for flat water, stable and aren't worried about surf then the 11' NSP might be OK. We just got a couple of Naish Manas to play in the surf, NSPs are up for sale
Don,t know the board but found this while looking for an other boardhttp://stokemagazine.blogspot.nl/2015/03/review-imagine-recruit-icon-11-sup.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+StokeMagazine+(Stoke+Magazine)But if you don,t play in the wavws and just do distances its imo better to look for a 2th hand touring/wide raceboard kindaboard.
Thank you for the feedback. Interestingly enough, if I had to rank the 3 boards I am looking at, the NSP would be last on my list. My interest was perked when I saw how much weight it would float --- and also my local surf shop ( who only sells higher end boards ) uses them for their rental fleet. They were telling me how durable they are. Also one of the guys who works there surfs and paddles on the Cocomat from NSP and he loved it.
Funny you said Naish because I've looked at those, but it looks like my weight is the absolute top end of what their boards will float and that freaks me out a bit. Also - I learned on a 11'5 board and the few times I was on anything in the 10' range, it was comical at best. Again probably my weight. I don't see anything bigger than 10' in the 2015 Naish line ( unless I missed it when researching ).
Thanks for taking the time to reply. Researching and finding the right board, while fun, will make you crazy. lol
Thank you so much for the article. That is the exact board. Much appreciated. Interesting article. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
