I haven't paddled enough 14' SUPs to write a comparative review; I'll just detail my buying and paddling experience.
I paddle for fitness, generally out and back, from various places around Perth and have been looking at 14' SUPs for a while to enable me to make the most of my limited time in the windier conditions we get in Perth. I also wanted a light board to make transport and handling easier as my storage has obstacles to negotiate.
There were a number of well priced secondhand 26" boards available, but I felt, and the general advice I received (thank you seabreeze), that these were too narrow for me. The YOB Bathurst Downwinder ticked a number of boxes, I could demo paddle and was well priced. The service I received from Sally and Lach at the YOB Australia shop was great. Even though it was near the end of the day and the demo boards had been packed away for the day, a few strings were pulled to enable me to take a 14x27 out in perfect conditions for testing. I hadn't paddled for a few weeks and I was paddling in the river into a 10kn sea breeze with gusts over 15kn with the added fun of boat wakes. In these choppy conditions - not what I would regularly paddle in - I found the board quite twitchy, but it had great secondary stability and I came close, but didn't fall in! I arrived back at the YOB store and after a quick discussion, I received a great deal for a SUP, leash, paddle (I tested this as well) and an upgrade to a click-in fin (a great invention).
I've since tested myself in slightly more challenging conditions (with swims this time!) and relatively flat water and I am very happy with the way the board goes. I'm getting used to moving around the board and finding my way to the back (and it's a long way back after paddling a 9'8) for some pivot turns.
