Buy Stand Up Paddleboard Tips - Thinking of buying a Stand Up Paddle Board - Here are some tips!
Stand up paddle boards, which are also called stand up surfboards, SUP surfboards, or paddle surfboards, have become very popular over the last five years. There are now many great boards available, so if you are going to buy one then there are a few things you should consider.
First ask yourself a few questions:
Where are you going to be spending the most time on your stand up paddle board? Do you live near a lake and that is where you will go? Do you like to paddle up rivers? Or are you into ocean wave surfing?
Wind
If you will stand up paddle boarding in locations that will be exceptionally windy then you will need a heavier board for stability.
Stand Up Paddle Surfing
If you are going to be surfing waves then you need a board that is more maneuverable. In general you want to buy the lightest board that will be suitable for the conditions and for your size.
Buying a Paddle - The Golden Rule
When purchasing a paddle for a stand up paddleboard, the general rule is that the paddle should be about 7 inches taller than your height.
Stand Up Paddle Styles
There are slight variations available in paddle styles, with some people preferring a slightly bent shaft. The blade should be oval and slightly scooped.
Length of Stand Up Paddle Board
People who are just learning to stand up paddle board will often get a twelve foot board to practice on though you will quickly wish you had a shorter board.
It is best to rent a longer board that is nice and sturdy to learn how to stand up paddle board, and then when you make your purchase you can buy a board that you will be happy with for a long time.
Width of Stand Up Paddle Board
Just as important as the length is the width of the stand up paddle board. A standard width is about 26 inches, but if you are a small person or you are looking for a lighter board for surfing, you may consider a narrower width.
Thickness of Stand Up Paddle Board
The same is true for thickness. If the board is too thick it will be hard to maneuver but if it is too thin it will lack stability. The newer boards have a tapering thickness that will help a thicker board still maintain good maneuverability.
Nose and Tail Shape of Stand Up Paddle Board
A pointed nose may be better for riding big waves but in general a more rounded nose will make it easier to paddle and provide more stability. Different tail shapes are a matter of personal preference, and again a bit of a wider tail will provide more stability.
Bottom Shape of Stand Up Paddle Board
The bottom shape of your stand up paddle board may be curved or relatively flat. If you can possibly try a few stand up paddle boards of each type then you will be able to get a good idea of what you prefer.
In general a curved board may help take advantage of hydrodynamics during high performance wave riding while a flatter board may provide more stability.
Fins of Stand Up Paddle Board
A bigger fin, or fins, will provide more stability. Smaller fins will allow faster turns and provide less stability
Where can I buy a Stand Up Paddle Board?
One place to look is Craigslist because it will help you find a board in your area. This is also a great way to avoid paying the huge amount of money a brand new stand up paddle board can cost.
When you go online at the Craigslist sight just choose your city and then type in stand up paddle board or some variation of it, and then hit search.
Now decide how much you want to spend and search for stand up paddle boards within your price range. If you are really tight for cash you may just look for a really big old beat up longboard that you can salvage and give new life as a stand up paddle board.
Surfboards As Stand Up Paddle Boards
Big surfboards work fine unless they are taking on lots of water. Make sure it is at least 11 feet and plenty wide, and it will work just fine as a learner board in normal conditions.
If you plan on being in rough and/or windy conditions right from the beginning then get at least a 12 foot board, plenty wide. It also helps to have a nice big fin for extra stability.
Getting a cheap board to learn on is a great idea because then you will have a chance to gain some skills and decide what type of stand up paddling you enjoy most (e.g., long distance stand up paddling, stand up paddle surfing, etc.) and then invest a decent amount of money to get a quality stand up paddle board so you can excel at the sport.
Then you will also have a learner board around to take other people out with you. Everyone loves trying it for the first time, and it is best to provide beginners with a nice stable board so they can experience stand up paddling. The other alternative is putting the used board right back up on Craigslist.
How Much To Pay for a Stand Up PaddleBoard
In general you will probably have to pay $100 to $200 at least to get a used extra large longboard. To get an actual stand up paddleboard that number goes up to around $400 if you are lucky. Now around $500 to $600 you may find some gems, older model boards in decent condition or new boards with some damage.
There are lots of people out there who didn’t do their research and bought the wrong board, now they need to get rid of it because they got a new board that suits them better. Often boards from these situations are in very good condition because they were hardly used.
The Evolution of Stand Up Paddle Boarding
There are also a lot of boards out there from people who have been doing the sport for a while and are victims of the quick evolution that stand up paddling has taken in recent years.
In the early years the boards were in short supply, prices were high (e.g., over $2000) and shapers were back ordered. As new designs came on the market the sports best had to have them, and so their older models stacked up quickly.
Buying a High End Stand Up Paddle Board
Up the spending numbers to $800 and you can start shopping for a performance stand up paddle board, maybe even getting the paddle thrown in. Remember, cash is king right now! Now if you are willing to shell out upwards of a grand then caveat emptor and good luck! There definitely are high priced boards out there!
Buy Stand Up Paddle Board Online
Of course the internet is the great shopping place for new boards as well, and these are often listed by distributors and shapers on Craigslist as well as other sites. Check eBay and other auctions sites. There are lots of high end boards and lots of great deals.
One Last Tip On How To Buy A Stand Up Paddle Board:
If you are buying a used board try to pick a meeting place with the seller where you can put the board in some water and check it out. Lay on it, stand on it, how does it feel? How does it float? Are there any leaks, dings, cracks, dents? If it passes the muster buy that bad boy and get to it!