Forums > Stand Up Paddle General

Newbie stability question

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Created by Hippie > 9 months ago, 17 Dec 2022
Hippie
QLD, 2 posts
17 Dec 2022 9:26PM
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First time posting so go easy on me.
I bought an isup a couple of months ago and have been trying to use it. I find that it is really tippy and I can only paddle any distance if the water is flat. Any chop or wind and I'm off. I never feel at ease and it feels like I'm teetering on the edge the whole time. I'm 98 kilos and the board is a Honu Byron - 10'6" x 32", 4.75" thick and 245 litres. My wife is about 65 kilos and she seems much more planted and at ease on it.
I was wondering if a larger board might be more suitable for a beginner like me. Something like a Fanatic 13'6", 36" wide and 400 litres. I realise that experienced paddlers would probably regard this as a barge but I'm thinking it might be right for me at this stage. The way it's going now I'm losing interest and I'll probably give it away as I just don't think I'm getting anywhere. I'm just as hopeless now as when I first got on the board.
I'm interested in what people think about it, especially if anyone has been in the same situation.

Cheers

DavidJohn
VIC, 17569 posts
18 Dec 2022 12:10AM
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I'm your weight.. I've been paddling for more than ten years.. I would struggle to paddle that board..

You need a bigger board.. That Fanatic sounds perfect.. Inflatable boards are noticeably tippier than the same size in hard boards..

Kisutch
449 posts
17 Dec 2022 10:56PM
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Is it pumped to recommended PSI? I didn't have a gage for a bit and wouldn't inflate enough, reduced stability a lot

Tardy
5259 posts
18 Dec 2022 4:30AM
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I had a inflatable Naish one for a while ,found standing on air makes them why tippier than a hard board ,and when the wind came up
oh boy DW you go .33 wide and 200 litres you should target at 98 kg same as me .Try for a hard board ,naish Mana or Starboard whopper .sunova one .to name a few ,you will improve and you don't really want to be stuck with a battle ship by going too big .keep at it and enjoy .

Hippie
QLD, 2 posts
18 Dec 2022 8:39AM
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Select to expand quote
Kisutch said..
Is it pumped to recommended PSI? I didn't have a gage for a bit and wouldn't inflate enough, reduced stability a lot


Yep, always pumped to 20 psi. I use an irocker electric pump with digital gauge.

DaveSandan
VIC, 1383 posts
18 Dec 2022 2:37PM
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A Naish Mana 10ft x 33 will be what you need, it's a great board to start with and keep for many years.


theSeb
365 posts
19 Dec 2022 5:09PM
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My first SUP was an inflatable 10'2" x 30 x I cannot remember how many litres volume. I could stand on it in still water, but as soon as there was a hint of wind, chop, or water movement.. Down I go. I am heavier than you, but I also have close to two decades of surfing and skateboarding experience. I eventually managed to master staying on it and even surfing with it, but it took a lot of time (practising every day in progressively worse conditions).

Looking back at it now, I was wasting my time and didn't want admit that to myself, because I am stubborn. If I had got myself an appropriately sized board earlier, or better yet, an appropriately sized hard board earlier, then my progression would have been faster and easier.

I remember one windy and choppy day I got so frustrated that I hired a 12' something" x 34 Fanatic and it was super stable and easy in those conditions. I did that to prove to myself whether the board was the issue. Long story short, your board is too small for you, as the others have said. I don't think you need a 36" wide board, but look for something in the 12' long by 32 or 34 inches wide, if you really want to stick with an inflatable. If you plan to paddle more than once a month, then get a hard board.

moogengronko
76 posts
23 Dec 2022 2:40PM
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Inflatables are for 5 day downstream paddles on The Snowy a day after it has had a 'designated flood'
Assist the current with your paddling
get down low - or on one knee - for rapids
get close in behind the lee of your companion raft when heading into the wind
You hit the rocks a lot
you fall in a lot

ie. its more a floating device, its an ok paddler (terrible in any wind), and very very rarely a surfer

obijohn
149 posts
31 Dec 2022 4:34AM
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As others have said, the problem is not with you, it is with inflatables. They are slow and very unstable compared to a hard board. I paddle at least 120 days a year in conditions ranging from an 8' board in double overhead surf to a 16' downwind race board in 35 mph open ocean winds. The most unstable I have ever felt is the few times I have paddled inflatables, even on a flat lake. If you want to enjoy paddling with stabiity and reasonable performance, I would go to a hard board. I think your idea of going to the huge Fanatic inflatable would be a mistake because it is still going to feel wobbly, will be horrilby slow. and it will get pushed around by the wind even more than your current board.
I think you have two good options to consider. If you are looking for a great allround board, someone mentioned the Sunova One and I think the 10'11" X 34" @ 203 liters would be a great choice. If you are hoping to develop faster paddling skills and you don't expect to be in surf, I would consider looking for a Touring style board at around 12'6" X 32" X 6' to 7" thick @ around 290 to 310 liters. Touring boards are far faster than allround boards and have incredible glide almost like race boards, just don't plan on taking them into the surf which you could do with the Sunova One.
Best of luck. If you can find the right hard board, you will start having fun.



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"Newbie stability question" started by Hippie