Just wondering, and I am sure this has been "mildly" touched on before, but do you need a board with a rudder and if so what are the benefits and is a longer board better? like 16 foot compared to 14 or 12 and half foot? This is all new to me and the day I get back from India I wanna get one so would be grateful for any advice? Cheers
In simple terms the longer the board the faster it should go.
The rudder is a personal choice I had one put in my 14' (along with a standard fin box) for general paddling. There not allowed to be used during racing in the 12'6" and 14' classes but they are in the unlimited one - if your going to race in the unlimited class you might as well get one no point in not.
Have a good demo of what out there when you get back there's 2 or 3 guys in Qld doing custom boards (DC, Deep, Lani Kai, others?) which are pretty price competitive and there's the standard pop outs as well.
Your size and what kind of paddling you would like to do will guide you down the path of what board you'll end up choosing.
14' without rudder is what I recommend.. and there's one particular brand that makes a beauty.. 
DJ
rudder or not? my choice up to 14' would be no rudder.
I have a 16 with a rudder and a 16 without (there was one but I took it off for a fix fin)
My opinion is that if you do it for fun, no racing and won't get out with a side win because it's boring anyway, you don't need to have a rudder and it makes your board a lot cheaper and the maintenance easier.
Looking at your video I am sure you'll like to go out when it's very rough and then the 16+ plus with rudder can make it very difficult to go through the shore break without damaging them.
I'll say 14 no rudder and give a call to rob Pirie. He got his first DW board lately (14') so he can give you the opinion of a long time SUP user starting DW only now
here's one way to look at rudders. ask people who did the excel race, whether they were serious or just doing it for fun and who didn't have rudders,how their right arms and shoulders felt after the paddle
.
cheers
I agree lacey, that's why I think rudders are good if you want to race.
If you just do DW for pleasure when the conditions are good ...it's less important
.
Is there anyone in WA/perth building custom Downwind boards? What are our options over here for 14' plus boards?
Naish, Starboard, any other major popouts or order a custom from the eastcoast?
Cheers
Cheers everyone, do any pop outs come with rudders? Also, is the main reason for a rudder to compensate against which side you are paddling on to keep perfectly straight and if so would that create drag because of always being at a different angle to the board?
Thanks again for your help guys, it has given me something to think about!
Thanks Hilly, I get in touch when I am back paddling myself...
hopefully in the next couple of weeks.
What was the verdict from the knee doc?
hopefully in the next couple of weeks.
hopefully in the next couple of weeks.
Sorry to hear your injured Hilly.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery
Phill and Kristi
