Hello,

I have been conducting online research for the purchase of a new windSUP. I'm looking for that one board solution to family vacations that allows me to surf small waves, sail in light to moderate winds and explore the creeks and inlets along the coast under paddle.

I'll also mention that I am 6'2" and 180 lbs. I am an adequate surfer, an experienced paddler, a proficient sailor and a novice windsurfer.

I have narrowed my choices to three hardboard boards:

1) Starboard Blend WindSUP 11'2 x 30" in Starshot Blue with center dagger fin.
2) Bic 11'6 x 32" Ace-Tec Performer Wind with daggerboard.
3) Kona Molokai 10.7 AST (10'7" x 32") with daggerboard.

I am convinced that I want a daggerboard/fin of some sort for learning to windsurf. I am a sailor at heart and the notion of using a board with a daggerboard/fin of some sort just makes sense for getting upwind. I have eliminated any board from consideration that doesn't have central lateral wind resistance -- that includes the 10'6" Bic and the many otherwise great-looking options from Fanatic or JP. I've also eliminated the Exocet WindSUP boards because my reading leads me to believe that they are more windsurf oriented, and wouldn't allow me to paddle surf as well.

From a windsurf perspective, the Bic or the Kona with their deployable/retractable daggerboards seem like great options. For surf, however, the Starboard with the dagger fin removed and a lightweight plug fit into the tuttle box, would be lighter and have less resistance.

My question for this forum is which would you choose for true 50/50 use? I fully recognize that compromises exist in all three boards (and all boards in general). I really only get to use my boards on vacation. One annual vacation puts me at the beach where surf is my primary concern. My other vacation puts me on a lake where sailing would be the top priority. If I rate those priorities equally as high for each vacation, does any one board stand out as a better compromise for my overall use? At the root of the question is whether the center dagger fin is a bigger detractor from the Starboard's windsurf ability than the Bic's or Kona's daggerboard trunks are for paddle surf ability.

Many thanks,
Eric