I am a beginner.. But I am fit and I used to windsurf in the past so standing on a board is not new for me. I am 5'10" and 145 pounds.
I used to own Starboard Astro Touring 11.6x30 (237L, inflatable) and found it too slow and not tracking well. So, I upgraded it to 12.6x31 (278L) and it so much faster and stable! I love how it goes straight without changing sides so often.
Now I realized I want to go faster if I can so I started looking at Starboard inflatable Racer boards. I am planning to get one but the question is whether to get 12.6x28" (297L) or 12.6x26" (286L).. I have no way of trying the boards so I am concerned if 26" wide is hard to stay on.. Most of the time I am paddling in the calm water in the ocean (just because I am a beginner I guess and it is easier this way).. I heard different opinions - guys from the store tell me it is challenging to stay on, some other folks say it is not a problem. Or maybe these two extra inches (28") make the board much more stable while the speed difference will be minimal?
thanks!
gsnake
Normally I would say 26" is fine for you at your size and weight but that is only with regard to a carbon or fibreglass board. The inflatable race boards are another thing again. I recommend you go with the 28" given your experience and what you intend to use it for. If anyone tells you otherwise, first ask them if they own or have regularly paddled a 26" wide inflatable board. If not, then I don't think their opinion is valid in this instance.
IMO definitely the 28.. unless you plan on only ever paddling in very calm and flat conditions.. 
thanks guys!! I guess this is exactly what makes it different - inflatable vs hard board! And I am sure folks who said go with 26 did not encounter the inflatable fact.
So far I prefer to paddle in calm and flat conditions - I live 30 m from the water so I know more or less exactly what is going on :)
With my current 31" wide Astro Touring I hit the sides of the board while paddling all the time and this is one of the reasons I feel narrower board will be more fun to use. To keep the paddle vertical I have to bend more on the wider board. Not sure if going from 31 to 28 will do the trick but hope so!
Yes, you will notice a useful difference in paddling ease going down in width 3".
You'll also notice a difference in stability.
The guys here are right: for a given width, inflatables are less stable than a similarly designed hard board. From 31" to 26" in one move is asking a lot of yourself. Better to get used to the 28 before going down again (if you ever feel the need to).
this is what I am thinking too.. the only problem to get to water I have to walk along the road (which is narrow and no sidewalk) to the place where I can enter water. 30 meters is the straight distance to water but to actually get to water it is not that easy. So, I walk for about 10 minutes then take steps down to the water. And the steps are pretty narrow..
Maybe if I get a board bag that has some kind of carry strap I can walk with the board down the road and manage on the stairs (again the board bag will protect the board if I hit something with it). And there is a rocky beach and the only option to lay down the board is to put it on the bag..
So, maybe doable.. Are the hard boards much better? I know, I don't like my Astro Touring Zen but hoping the Deluxe version is stiffer. But to me (after the windsurfing) the inflatable does not behave like a plastic board in the water.. It is different (not in a good way).. :(
Tricky. Hard board def. better IMHO. You can get shoulder straps for carrying or strap on wheels but doesn't address the rocky shore /bump in transit issue unless you just put it in the water and jump straight on? Flying Objects does a bag with wheels I think.
well, I guess it is doable.. I will try to experiment - inflate my SUP at home and carry it to the beach..This way I will know if it fits the stairs I am taking. I really enjoy walking there instead of driving to another water access place. I will have to drive 5 min but then load/unload the board would spoil all the fun :)
I think bag with straps to carry would be ideal. It will protect the board from hitting things and if I put the bag on the concrete floor (there is some kind of patio on that beach), remove the board and put it straight to water (fin attached) I should be just fine..
I am guessing the comparable hard board would be - Starboard All Star? 12'6x26? :)
