**nb...I posted this in the windsurf section but nobody answered so hoping the SUP riders out there might have tried these boards :)


hello to the SUP / iSUP / WindSup community around Oz...have enjoyed reading all your posts...some very knowledgable legends out there amongst you..

I am a medium ability SUPer & wanting to begin WindSup & looking to invest in a complete package. Im looking at inflatable as I have storage & transport restrictions. In the inflatable range it seems that the best board options in Windsup were between the NaishCrossoverAir the FanaticFlyAirPremium & the Starboard Winsup 10' 34". All 3 are inflatable with mounts for windsurfing.

* Naish Crossover Air 11'0L 30"W 6"T, 210L Vol, 11.5kg Weight & 95kg Max Rider, M8 Universal Insert, 2 X 10.0 Fins (back & centrefin), Price $1500

* Fanatic FlyAirPremium 10'8L 34"W 4.5"T, 245L Vol, Weight? MaxRider?, Mastfoot insert, tri fin (back), Price $ 1200

* Starboard Windsup 10'0L 34"W 6"T, 300L Vol, Weight? MaxRider?, Mastfoot insert ,Fins Drake Shallow 220 + DaggerBoard, Price $ 2100 deluxe $1600 fun


I could not find a review anywhere on either board let alone a review comparing the three. I was really hoping to get an understanding of the pro's con's of each for both SUP and for WindSup usage.

75% of my usage will be for SUP & I really needed a great all rounder, something that is good for beginners & can take out onto the ocean & especially into the surf, is reasonable on flat water & even be able to use in white water.

25% windsup time I was just looking for a great beginner board for light sailing wind up to 15 knots bay style riding.

I am 96kg so I see that I am pushing the limits of the Crossover but imagine it would still be ok. The Crossover is a little more expensive and the narrow shape seems more suited for flatwater so am not sure how it would go in surf conditions but judging by the 30"W it would appear to have better glide for both flatwater & windsurfing. The M8 universal insert looks stronger than the inserts of the other boards & may have more longevity but would need someone to confirm.

The Starboard looks like a good all round sup board a little shorter than the other two but at 300L has the most volume & therefore stability I assume. May be a better all rounder as a sup as its based on the apparantly famous whopper shape. Assume better in the surf & white water than the other 2 boards given stability & shape, not sure if it would be slightly slower on the flat. Looks like a pretty good board but price reflects that especially for the Deluxe.

I was a bit concerned with the 4.5' Thickness on the Flyairpremium thinking that it might have bend in it for someone my weight ( i did see a video that said it was 6' thickness but website shows 4') & also concerned i havent seen any reviews for this around the world so am wondering if anyone is actually buying. Unlike the the other 2 boards the fanatic does not have a centre fin. Its $300 cheaper than the Naish & $400 cheaper than the Starboard Fun so thats one big advantage.

From a windsup view I havent seen any reviews on how these boards windsurf but from the website marketing videos the fanatic & starboard windsurfing looks pretty sedate in low wind & they dont appear to be going anywhere fast. In the Naish Crossover video looks like theyre windsurfing along at a reasonable / moderate speed.

Anyway thought i'd throw it out there & see if any of you legends could assist with some great advice on either option or perhaps another model i may have missed. Cheers to anyone who takes the time to help. :)