I've been looking for a cheap inflatable SUP, mostly for the kids to mess about on. Performance really doesn't count, as long as it floats.
There are starting to be some cheapies around and some secondhand deals, problem is as I've seen in a thread elsewhere is none of then have a masttrack or threaded nut.
I have been wondering... How about some way to glue one on? Maybe even some sort of mast track/base package, like a big rubber patch completed with glue. These things are largely just glued together aren't they?
I might try to make something up myself but interested if anybody has seen anything like it or tried it before?
What do you think, will it work?
The fanatic premium air model have threaded nut for the mast. There is also one Naish inflatable model that has one. Not cheap, as they were about 1600-2000 new......
Yes, there seem to be quite a few options between $1500-$2000. I was hoping to spend about $600 max.
Thought it would be great to be able to slap on a way to attach a base on any board.
Reg at Windsurfing Perth has multiple brands of inflatable SUP's with windsurfing attachments. I have a Vandal which is spot on for my kids as it has 2 fin boxes - one central that acts like a centreboard. It's also only 4" which makes a difference as it sits low in the water and does not get effected by the wind. I have taught at least 6 people to SUP and sail on the board - one was a +100 barrel of a guy and he was all over it in 1 hour. The 2 great aspects about inflatables for learning is they are friendly to land on & due to their flex they absorb chop so are more stable.
The board was cheap in comparison and well worth a look.
Here is a link to the Vandal
www.windsurf.co.uk/test/vandal-flow-ws-10-0-review/
Here is a link to a good article with reviews of may windups:
www.windsurf.co.uk/windsup-board-review-2016/
AB....
I"m cheap too.
Have two inflatable SUP's, which we sometimes mount a mast track by using downhaul line to attach the mounting points of a bungee "rack" that is standard on our inflatables. 4 mount points, attached to the round plate of a twist on uni base.
Problem is, after a few attempts, we find windsurfing boring unless the winds hit 17 mph, by which time our normal windsurf gear works just fine.
Oh, most marine supply stores have glue on ring mounting kits, which you glue to the deck of your SUP, making for multi purpose mounts for whatever, including a mast base.
Did investigate this a few years ago. Was going to do it on a cheapie Crane inflatable from Aldi. Not really enough volume for me though. Ended up buying a Starboard Astro off a friend with a screw point.
Remember finding one article about tying one on with some success. Another guy carefully cut out a circle of the padding the size of a standard base and glued one on. He said this had worked quite well.
Might be okay with a small or kids rig. The Starboard has reinforcement in the attachment point area which yours won't.
Teaching my 6 year old on the Astro, great for this due to the soft landings on the board.
Am considering glueing a base onto another cheapie I have picked up for my son and his mates to play on, rather than muddying up the Astro. Hopefully we will be able to sail together if I can keep him interested.
Going to investigate glueing a small fin as a centreboard as well ad this one only has 3 small glued on fins at the back.
Am hoping the only thing to go wrong would be the glue letting go.
Sail is 1.5m so should not be too much stress apart from up-hauling.
maybe this one is of some interest?
inflatable windfoil supfoil board. can also be used as conventional board. it has 6" mast track and strap m6 inserts
