Hello chapps
I was looking at getting a new paddle board or making one.
As the title says, what size board for a fast pace on flat river water?
I was thinking of 14' x 24" x 4"
What are your thoughts.?
Thanks
4" thick? That's not a very likely dimension if you want maximum speed and glide.
Just try as many different boards as you can. You'll soon find out what suits you. Buy a used board if you can.
You need to try some boards.
24" wide boards are uncomfortably tippy for a lot of people. Boards that narrow are usually favoured by young, light, experienced athletes, so if you don't fall into that category then you MUST demo before buying (or building).
I've found that I don't get any benefit going narrower than 25". I tried a 21.5" wide board. It was fast. But only if I was on my knees! Once I stood up it was so torturously effortful for me to stay upright that I'd have been faster on a 32" wide all- round board. But the owner has no problems on it at all. People vary HUGELY in their balance abilities. And you'll only know yours by trying a load of boards. It's usually quite a humbling process, unless you are under 16 and very athletic.
As Dave Kalama said in his commentary for the PPG, "falling is not fast".
i currently paddle a 23.5 ace on the flats, i'm 115kg and 6'3, it is super stable and has plenty of volume, but for my weight/height it becomes not much fun in the ocean, you can go narrow if you want but it may be quicker and more fun if you look at something that is 25 wide, but you will find something you like if you demo boards, so head down to your local store or what not and demo a whole heap of different board in the conditions you intend to use them in
Jarryd
Select to expand quotescubaste said..
Hello chapps
I was looking at getting a new paddle board or making one.
As the title says, what size board for a fast pace on flat river water?
I was thinking of 14' x 24" x 4"
What are your thoughts.?
Thanks
Like everything else on water that isn't mechanically powered, waterline is your friend for speed and glide. The longer it is the faster it goes unless you're hydrofoiling. Parallel rails give you greater stability for a given width. This seems to be a trend amongst current board designs.
In terms of volume, a rough guide is body weight x 2.5-3 = board volume in litres for a flatwater board.
yea, I reckon we all went too narrow for a little bit. I went back up to a 26 inch wide flat water board and a 26.5 inch ocean board. The thing is though there is heaps more than the width that will impact upon how tippy it is. Bottom curve, rail shape, and a whole lot of shaping black magic comes into play. Demo your ass off because you might find yourself with a completely different board to what you thought you would end up with. I also agree go second hand if you can
I've a 14' x 26.5" wide Flatwater Falcon in Carbon if you're interested. Brilliant flatwater board. Will carry your weight easily. Used probably 25 times in 2.5 years
Holmenkol race finish on the bottom. Moving house and I don't have room for it at the new place. Must sell!
