I really am starting to think the current ISUP technologies used for making these SUPs and then using them in tropical climates, is dicing with your dollar $$
I've not seen ONE single ISUP up here in North QLD that's not peeled or started to leak air in some way or another.
Is it because the glues and models are made in colder climates and tested in those climates?
Is there a brand that is fairdinkum going to last for years, considering it being well looked after, not over inflated, left in a car, in the sun, etc? Anyone have personal experience ISUPing up in the tropics?
Cheers
We have a member of the Gong forum that likes in Dakar, Senegal, with 3 iSUPs for 2 years now, uses them often, and he did not have any issues. But his boards are welded, not glued, perhaps it makes a difference? Although even on welded boards, some parts are still glued (fins, valve, pad, some reinforcements...). I did not hear of issues from people with Gong iSUPs in La Reunion, Tahiti, ...
His Gong iSUPs are not the entry-level ones, but I think most of the welded iSUPs boards in the higher quality lines of most brands are built in a similar way, if not in the same factories. But I have no hard data.
His forum topic (in French) www.gong-galaxy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=8634
On the other hand, as for all brands, some Gong iSUPs develop "delaminations", but it seems quite random, it happens also in cold climates (and is covered by the warranty).
Thank you Colas. Yes many ISUPS here are glued and not welded or a combination as you say.
What do you think of the Red Co isups?
Red Co invented and patented the welding technology, but license it to other manufacturers. I think all welded iSUPs on the market currently use the Red Co techno, and may be even be made at the same factory, but I have not first-hand info.
Oops, forgot the disclaimer: I am a Gong ambassador.
My wife has had a red 14ft for two years now not a issue at all still as new , as above red invented it and I would say have the real deal patent protected , in other words others follow... but we have only used that one inflatable so can't compare vs say Naish
it it does seem though like any board inflatable/hard you get what you pay for , I have used cheaper option sups and sure they work as a sup but surf and paddle like the undesirable they are.
it can be a hard choice as red, Naish is just as expensive as a hard board on sale or a good used board , we love the red 14 for travel but have used it at home a lot , when we first looked at inflatable sup we looked at a nearby hire place that had about 40 of them hired out many many..times a day and had been thrashed and bashed but apart from marks from gravel rash etc no damage or actual cuts , RED are very well made ours is a 2016 model
How long an ISUP will last for is a hard to answer question.
How well a board has been looked after defines the answer I believe.
I am pretty sure you are correct on the glue situation however I sold x 2 Starboard inflatables to my buddy who owns and operates a surf charter vessel that trades in Northern Sumatra.
Last conversation on the inflatables they were still performing after 3 seasons.
The crew let some air pressure out when not in use and top up the air pressure when required.
Cheers Jack
Its the old thing of salt, sun, sand, heat, kids and pets that ruin everything. But if you can avoid or limit the time that the 6 things that kill everything effected the board and be street smart with it or them then you should not have issues.
As colas said red has been at the the front of the pack when it comes to inflatable tech but other brands do use the MSL but just branded a little different or chose not to use MSL and that is the companies choice. But again it comes down to what you want to spend or can spend and if it is to good to be true then it is.
(please note i work for SUP Gear Australia. We sell Bic, Surftech, nsp, ecs and red isups and i can say that in the 6 years working for SGA we have had 2 boards replaced and 2 had to be fixed by user error. I have never sold jp, fanaitc, naish or starboard isups so my knowledge on those is by what is available through info on the net or brochures.)
