I have the fly air premium isup and it has been great to learn on and rate the quality. I got it new from Edge Watersports in Exmouth who are an excellent outlet. Torbay is mainly flat choppy water, and I find that the thicker profile of the inflatable catches wind and wavelets when upwind paddling. It would be very i teresti g for you to test the isup and sup back to back upwind in a chop. I recently got a second hand unsused Kanghua hardboard 11'6x32". With this, the nose does not catch the chop, I move my weight forward so that the chop passes over the nose and does not slap. Of course the headboard surfs better and at 11'6" is long enough to have some reasonable glide.
Thanks for your comment and feedback Simon. Always great to hear about what your experiences have been like and what boards have worked well for you. Keep the comments coming. Thanks Reuben
The Isup is so much resistant than the hardboard. I have a Fanatic Fly Air and a Fanatic Pure Light hardboard.The hardboard's paint chops off easily, you have to the careful not to bang (or touch) with the paddle with is inevitable. Rail protection helps to a small extent. I slightly banged the nose again the boot of the car (just a little bit) and again a crack. Even worse, they can delaminate. Read about delamination before you buy one. In terms of performance, as the video says correctly the hardboard is flatter so you're more in touch with the water, it might turn slightly better, it might be marginally faster - but I prefer the Isup simply due to its resistance, so much less hassle and worries.
Thanks for the comments 'Just Me' , yeah you are going to have to look after it for sure. The only thing I will say is that many hard boards are very different when it comes to construction and strength (not all hard boards are equal). I have some hard boards that I have been using for 2 years and they still look almost as good a new. But completely agree the iSUP is no hassle or worries. Top comment thanks Reuben
I have had the Fly Air Premium 10.6" for about 5 years before the drop stitch or the inner-outer layer connection failed completely, shaping of my nice board a big banana and thus making it unusable. So be aware that an air-inflated board doesn't like sun and heat, the related pressure changes damages the material. Then i bought an used model 2012 composite Fly HRS 10.6" and aside of a small ding repair (easy to DIY) and minor scratches my composite board feels and looks as good as new almost 10 years later. So the composite HRS board is a much better investment and the ride is better by far compared to the Fly Air - and - above all: no more pumping needed! So if transport and storage is no concern you absolutely have to go for a composite board.
Hi Nicolas, thanks very much for your insights. We agree that going for a composite board is far better in terms of performance. Great to hear you are enjoying SUP! Cheers, Beau
3 kids with compo boards, not easy to transport even on roofy's So, pumpup sups are the best way. Unless you've got the method to transport them hard boards
My brother had an inflatable kayak, I have a hard sided. Note I typed “had” for his inflatable…one award stick and I’ll timed wavelet and he developed a hole in the bottom of the craft. He just barely managed to get to shore on the boat which was losing air fast. That was the first and last inflatable we ever purchased
The BIC Tough Performer Series are good hybrids. Nearly tough like iSUPs, but stiff like other laminated SUPs (plus fair price level). The 10'6 is my daily allrounder for after work, if I don't like to pump my RED Explorer half an hour... :D
Thanks for your feedback Jon. Yes we have heard alot of good comments about the Bic range and have recommended it to many of our readers before, if like you they are after that tough board at a good price👍🏼. Thanks reuben
Great vid guys! I'm the happy onwer of a Fanatic isup (Pure air 2019, 10.4). I'm comtenplating replacing the existing fin (19cm) by a shorter one (15cm). Would this make any difference in manouverablity in small waves? Is it worth investing? Many thanks
Hey Fred, it will make the board a bit faster in smaller waves. And it will help a bit with the turns too. Remember, to turn the most, put your fin towards the front of the fin box. This will help too. Thanks Reuben
Great vid as usual! One thing I try to do after I watch a review from you is find out where the board brand is based / originated from for interest sake only and what they are about and how they got to where they are. Sometimes it's really hard to find out. I think Fanatic started and is still based in Austria someone told me. I just had a quick look on their website and it doesnt say. But I just want to quickly know, dont have much time bothered to find out. Especially since watching your vids there seems to be so so many companies out there. It's so interesting. We all know Red is from the UK though ;-) Jp Australia must be from Australia.
Hey Kurt. This is something that we used to do in all our videos,- talk about the brands background. Maybe we will look into doing it again. Thanks Reuben
Hi Kurt, you're right. They are based in Austria. The Company itself is Boards & More GmbH , Rabach 1 A-4591 Molln. They have the brands ION, Fanatic and Duotone under their hood
We are in the process of putting together a page on SUPboarder with all the boards and their stiffnesses. Naish, Red and starboard are up there with the stiffest last year.
A newbie here. I’m really considering the isups, but will it be able to stand being under extreme heat? Because I live in a tropical country where the sun is beaming hot and the climate is crazy. Also, not to mention foreign objects in the water that can be quite sharp sometimes. I still think that a hard board is better, but its poor mobility is the only thing that’s holding me back, though it’s not impossible, but a compact inflatable would be so much easier to bring when traveling. What do you think I should do?
An iSUP can withstand tropical heat, but you need to take precautions when looking after it. The air inside will expand when exposed to the sun or heat, so lowering your PSI can help with this. Even hard boards can expand when exposed to extreme heat and cause problems such as delamination. If you need an iSUP, go for it, but just take the necessary precautions. Hope this helps. Beau
by the way why would you not use that 2 way pump (that pumps on down and up) from the very beginning? As yo usay you could put it up once it gets hard, why not from the start? :)
Hey Tom. I cant remember what i said the the video but yes you are right use the full power of the pump and switch to one way pumping when the pumping gets harder. Sorry for the Confusion with that one. Reuben
The only time I paddle in rivers where its too shallow is generally going down river, so with the flow. Then paddling without the fin isn't too much of a problem. If you are going to be paddling in shallow rivers lots then buy another plastic fin and cut it down a little. Hope that helps Reuben
MMM... What sort of paddling are you going to be doing? If its 40%surf 60% flaterwater go for the JP. If its more like 50%surf 50%flatwater the Fly would be better. Thats a very basic way to look at it! Also the JP would make a much better longer distance paddling board than the Fly. Hope that helps. Please get back with some more details and we can help a little more. Thanks Reuben
@@barrierankin2234 The nose shape on the JP is much better for flat water or choppy flat water paddling. You will find it carries more speed than the Fanatic. The fanatic's nose shape will handle paddling in surf way better. It sounds like the Jp will be the better board for you. Thanks Reuben
Get both boards 😁
I have the fly air premium isup and it has been great to learn on and rate the quality. I got it new from Edge Watersports in Exmouth who are an excellent outlet.
Torbay is mainly flat choppy water, and I find that the thicker profile of the inflatable catches wind and wavelets when upwind paddling. It would be very i teresti g for you to test the isup and sup back to back upwind in a chop.
I recently got a second hand unsused Kanghua hardboard 11'6x32". With this, the nose does not catch the chop, I move my weight forward so that the chop passes over the nose and does not slap. Of course the headboard surfs better and at 11'6" is long enough to have some reasonable glide.
Thanks for your comment and feedback Simon. Always great to hear about what your experiences have been like and what boards have worked well for you. Keep the comments coming. Thanks Reuben
The Isup is so much resistant than the hardboard. I have a Fanatic Fly Air and a Fanatic Pure Light hardboard.The hardboard's paint chops off easily, you have to the careful not to bang (or touch) with the paddle with is inevitable. Rail protection helps to a small extent. I slightly banged the nose again the boot of the car (just a little bit) and again a crack. Even worse, they can delaminate. Read about delamination before you buy one. In terms of performance, as the video says correctly the hardboard is flatter so you're more in touch with the water, it might turn slightly better, it might be marginally faster - but I prefer the Isup simply due to its resistance, so much less hassle and worries.
Thanks for the comments 'Just Me' , yeah you are going to have to look after it for sure. The only thing I will say is that many hard boards are very different when it comes to construction and strength (not all hard boards are equal). I have some hard boards that I have been using for 2 years and they still look almost as good a new. But completely agree the iSUP is no hassle or worries. Top comment thanks Reuben
This video was very helpful, especially all the info about the rails and glide. Thank you for all of the comparisons.
Glad it was helpful!
I have had the Fly Air Premium 10.6" for about 5 years before the drop stitch or the inner-outer layer connection failed completely, shaping of my nice board a big banana and thus making it unusable. So be aware that an air-inflated board doesn't like sun and heat, the related pressure changes damages the material. Then i bought an used model 2012 composite Fly HRS 10.6" and aside of a small ding repair (easy to DIY) and minor scratches my composite board feels and looks as good as new almost 10 years later. So the composite HRS board is a much better investment and the ride is better by far compared to the Fly Air - and - above all: no more pumping needed! So if transport and storage is no concern you absolutely have to go for a composite board.
Hi Nicolas, thanks very much for your insights. We agree that going for a composite board is far better in terms of performance. Great to hear you are enjoying SUP! Cheers, Beau
3 kids with compo boards, not easy to transport even on roofy's So, pumpup sups are the best way. Unless you've got the method to transport them hard boards
Agree with you on that one. That's lots of lifting and shuffling boards around. Thanks for the comment. Beau
My brother had an inflatable kayak, I have a hard sided. Note I typed “had” for his inflatable…one award stick and I’ll timed wavelet and he developed a hole in the bottom of the craft. He just barely managed to get to shore on the boat which was losing air fast. That was the first and last inflatable we ever purchased
Thank for sharing. Good to note
The BIC Tough Performer Series are good hybrids. Nearly tough like iSUPs, but stiff like other laminated SUPs (plus fair price level). The 10'6 is my daily allrounder for after work, if I don't like to pump my RED Explorer half an hour... :D
Thanks for your feedback Jon. Yes we have heard alot of good comments about the Bic range and have recommended it to many of our readers before, if like you they are after that tough board at a good price👍🏼. Thanks reuben
Great vid guys! I'm the happy onwer of a Fanatic isup (Pure air 2019, 10.4). I'm comtenplating replacing the existing fin (19cm) by a shorter one (15cm). Would this make any difference in manouverablity in small waves? Is it worth investing? Many thanks
Hey Fred, it will make the board a bit faster in smaller waves. And it will help a bit with the turns too. Remember, to turn the most, put your fin towards the front of the fin box. This will help too. Thanks Reuben
Great vid as usual! One thing I try to do after I watch a review from you is find out where the board brand is based / originated from for interest sake only and what they are about and how they got to where they are. Sometimes it's really hard to find out. I think Fanatic started and is still based in Austria someone told me. I just had a quick look on their website and it doesnt say. But I just want to quickly know, dont have much time bothered to find out. Especially since watching your vids there seems to be so so many companies out there. It's so interesting. We all know Red is from the UK though ;-) Jp Australia must be from Australia.
Hey Kurt. This is something that we used to do in all our videos,- talk about the brands background. Maybe we will look into doing it again. Thanks Reuben
Hi Kurt, you're right. They are based in Austria. The Company itself is Boards & More GmbH
, Rabach 1 A-4591 Molln. They have the brands ION, Fanatic and Duotone under their hood
Great Vlog. Thanks 👏👍
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment. Beau
Fantastic review.
Thank you! Glad you liked it. Beau
What are some of the stiffest inflatables?
We are in the process of putting together a page on SUPboarder with all the boards and their stiffnesses. Naish, Red and starboard are up there with the stiffest last year.
@@SUPboardermag
What if I want to take an iSUP to the river but the river could possibly be too shallow for the middle fin. What do I do?
@@rachuhrich4302 you put a smaller fin or u dont take it to the river
Broke my ribs falling on my composite SUP. Inflatable would have been safer in that respect!
Vey true Steve... Ouch
What inflatable sup would you recommend for a 250lbs man? @supboarder
Hi Boi. Something around ... 11' long, 33-34" wide and 6" thick for a beginners boards. Thanks Reuben
A newbie here. I’m really considering the isups, but will it be able to stand being under extreme heat? Because I live in a tropical country where the sun is beaming hot and the climate is crazy. Also, not to mention foreign objects in the water that can be quite sharp sometimes. I still think that a hard board is better, but its poor mobility is the only thing that’s holding me back, though it’s not impossible, but a compact inflatable would be so much easier to bring when traveling. What do you think I should do?
An iSUP can withstand tropical heat, but you need to take precautions when looking after it. The air inside will expand when exposed to the sun or heat, so lowering your PSI can help with this. Even hard boards can expand when exposed to extreme heat and cause problems such as delamination.
If you need an iSUP, go for it, but just take the necessary precautions. Hope this helps. Beau
£1149 ! and you have to fit your own bunji cords?!? Eh?
Good point ;-)
by the way why would you not use that 2 way pump (that pumps on down and up) from the very beginning? As yo usay you could put it up once it gets hard, why not from the start? :)
Hey Tom. I cant remember what i said the the video but yes you are right use the full power of the pump and switch to one way pumping when the pumping gets harder. Sorry for the Confusion with that one. Reuben
What if I want to take an iSUP to the river but the river could possibly be too shallow for the middle fin. What do I do?
The only time I paddle in rivers where its too shallow is generally going down river, so with the flow. Then paddling without the fin isn't too much of a problem. If you are going to be paddling in shallow rivers lots then buy another plastic fin and cut it down a little. Hope that helps Reuben
Very useful video. Thank you.
You are welcome!
ISUP no good if the beach has a lot of cactii and sharp vegetation...
Now that is true😂
Uh-huh uh-huh uh-huh uh-huh uh-huhuh-huh hi i hi i uh-huhhi huh
SUPboarder hhih
tried watching but felt more like an infomercial.....had to move on, sorry
Sorry you felt that way Mark, it wasn't meant that way at all. Thanks for the feedback though. Reuben
Ok trying to decide between fantatic Fly bamboo and JP Australia Hybrid. What’s your view?
MMM... What sort of paddling are you going to be doing?
If its 40%surf 60% flaterwater go for the JP.
If its more like 50%surf 50%flatwater the Fly would be better. Thats a very basic way to look at it! Also the JP would make a much better longer distance paddling board than the Fly. Hope that helps. Please get back with some more details and we can help a little more. Thanks Reuben
SUPboarder we live in Scotland majority will be flat water lochs with some
Coastal. What is the reason for the JP being better on flat water?
@@barrierankin2234 The nose shape on the JP is much better for flat water or choppy flat water paddling. You will find it carries more speed than the Fanatic. The fanatic's nose shape will handle paddling in surf way better. It sounds like the Jp will be the better board for you. Thanks Reuben
Around 20:00 starts summarising
👍🏼