Favourite all-round 14" boards

Merry Xmas all

So I've been paddling flatwater, surf and also downwinding for the past year, so fairly new to the sport. Weigh 75kg. Current and only boards i've owned and used are

2014 Fanatic Falcon 14 x 27"
2017 Fanatic Strike 14 x 24"

The Falcon is extremely stable in all conditions and downwinds and surfs nicely, but feels like a truck on flatwater and buoy turns. So if having a workout on the bay it's not as fun with the little glide per stroke. The Strike is fast and light, great glide, and cuts through bumps beautifully, but I find it very unstable, although I'm sure this is also due to my limited experience/skill. Even in small chop I'm only fine so long as I'm with or against the swell, but as soon as there is a side swell I'm shaky. Also find when sprinting I am able to hit only perhaps 90% as some effort goes into stabilising.

I was thinking of selling both boards and getting something of an all-rounder that is still quite stable but also sharper at the nose than the Falcon. Briskites have a very nice Infinity Whiplash that looks fast, but I wonder how it would go downwinding/technical/surfing.

Was hoping a few people might share their experiences.

Thanks again and hope everyone is having a lovely Chrimbo.

Jon

Naish Maliko would be a good option. I find it fast all-around stable and great downwinder.
Got mine like new at two-thirds of the price. A little bit heavy to carry but strong construction and it does not feel heavy on the water.

I have the 14'x26" Naish Javelin which I would assume is something like your Strike. At 95kg and 6'3" I find it too tippy, just as you describe. I am sure with practice it would become more stable, but I spend most of my time in the surf so I don't have the time to perfect my skills on a 14' board.

So I went for a 14' Sunova Search. Much more stable, fun in small surf, low center of gravity, but I doubt it will give you the performance, acceleration, etc. that you appear to be after. But the extra stability and low cog lets you move around the board with freedom.

I have the 26" and on small line-up surf it was a pleasure. it punches through the incoming and goes very well on the small bumps. I cannot comment on larger waves. I am 77kg and 6'.

This nose cuts through chop easily and a curvy tail is great as well.

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Langers said..

DaveSandan said..
This nose cuts through chop easily and a curvy tail is great as well.

Looks a great board Dave .

It's a keeper!

SIC RS is probably the best all rounder going at the moment.
If I couldn't have an RS I'd be looking at an Infinity blackfish

Hi Jon

I am your weight and have 23" Sidewinder. I have ridden and owned many boards. If could nominate one board as a genuine all-rounder ie the only board you need, this would be it. I'm not suggesting the 23", but at 75kg, certainly consider the 25". The board has a fattish tail, which gives a lot of stability. I'd equate the 23" Sidewinder to being as stable as 25" in most other brands. They are also very robust despite their light weight.

Jacko thanks for your input, that rules out the RS then for me. I think I remember you saying first Evo is very different to the new one so wait for the 2.0?

I have a flatwater board so looking for surf and downwind. If I can find a blackfish 25", one evo 2.0 around 25" or the sidewinder 25" for around 2k or less...I'll be set :)

Thanks all

Jon

nice board line up JonK82
let us know which board caught your attention and long term test?
nice board that evo 2.0 from what I saw at Merimbula classic and a good chat with paul.j himself

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JonesySUP said..
Hey Jon
The new NSP Carolina is very much the ultimate one board. Fast in the flats, excellent DW board, super stable, the best dugout board for buoy turns, loves choppy water and just a pleasure to paddle. My favourite 14' board.

Definitely worth a demo.

Hey JonesySUP

Thanks for your input. I do love the NSP boards, they look great and always grab my attention, although I've never had the fortune to ride one yet.

Seeing as I will be using the board for both downwinding and surfing I don't think a dugout would suit me at this point. If just downwind then yes Carolina looks awesome.

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Carbs79 said..

JonK82 said..
Jacko thanks for your input, that rules out the RS then for me. I think I remember you saying first Evo is very different to the new one so wait for the 2.0?

I have a flatwater board so looking for surf and downwind. If I can find a blackfish 25", one evo 2.0 around 25" or the sidewinder 25" for around 2k or less...I'll be set :)

Thanks all

Jon

The RS handles the bumps mighty fine so don't let 1 persons opinion sway you on that.
Best option is to demo whatever you can get your hands on.
I have no affiliation with any brands so I ride what I think is the best board.
Just take in to consideration some of the boards being mentioned here are by those who sell or ride for that brand. But that's not saying they are bad boards.

I always make it pretty clear my position about ONE and always have so if someone takes my word or not is up to them but ultimately the boards will do the talking.

I can explain a bit more on the RS and in the bumps as well and maybe some of the differences. I put the RS into a class like a all-star where yes it can handle bumps but you have to be very technical in the way you ride it. Boards like this require a lot of movement on the board to make them work and it's this movement that most people struggle with out in the bumps. For those pros who can make them work that's all good but where I and we come from at ONE is trying to make the board more user friendly for the conditions they are ment for. You only have to look at what the top guys are riding at the moment in some DW races with boards like Sprints being used to realize any board can DW but this does not mean it's a good choice for 99% of riders.
The fact Is the RS is a more flatwater board it has good stability for it's sizing so many take it out in the bumps and don't fall off so feel it can also work in the bumps which I guess it can, the difference is riding a board that is made to be user friendly for bumpy water a board that does not require a massive amount of foot work to keep it trimmed a board that helps pick up the bumps and does not fight against you.

As I say yes I own ONE and yes people can take or leave what I say, but I do get to ride a lot of boards and I feel I am no more bias than the person who owns a board and talks it up because of the stoke they have for that board even through they might not have ridden anything else on the market.

I have been on this forum from day one and feel I am always pretty honest and always call a spade a spade I also try my hardest to never sell someone the wrong board and is maybe why we are still trading today in what I feel is a very tough market.

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Forestinjersey said..
Best all round 14ft for me so far was the 2016 Maliko, crazy stable, super light and heaps of fun. I currently have a 2019 14 x 26 Maliko and its a great board as well, but heavy, mine is 14Kg compared to the 2016 which was maybe 10-11kg. Also have a 2017 14 x 25 Infinity Blackfish, surfs beautifully but a nightmare in the bumps, no hard rails, rounded bottom = many swims.

Just waiting on delivery of my ONE EVO2 14 x 26. 2019 is going to be a great year....

If it is the 14x26, 14 kg is on the heavy side of the scale.I have a 2018 which is the same sandwich construction and is 12.7 kg. The construction is a lot stronger than the 2016 but 14 kg is too much of a penalty.

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paul.j said..

Forestinjersey said..
Best all round 14ft for me so far was the 2016 Maliko, crazy stable, super light and heaps of fun. I currently have a 2019 14 x 26 Maliko and its a great board as well, but heavy, mine is 14Kg compared to the 2016 which was maybe 10-11kg. Also have a 2017 14 x 25 Infinity Blackfish, surfs beautifully but a nightmare in the bumps, no hard rails, rounded bottom = many swims.

Just waiting on delivery of my ONE EVO2 14 x 26. 2019 is going to be a great year....

Yes pretty sure your board is leaving tomorrow from what Ang just told me so not to far away now!!

Fantastic!!

I have one each of the 2019 JL 14' x 25" & 14' x 27" Sidewinder left in stock at a great deal if anyone is after that perfect 1 board quiver raceboard that does everything.
NEW for 2109 Lighter, Stiffer, Channel Bottom with Recessed Deck
The Sidewinder starts with a zero drag outline and a very low, smooth rocker line, making it very easy to get the board moving and once on the move will retain it's speed and momentum with very little effort. The increased volume in the front keeps the nose "floating" over the chop while the "V" deck shape in the front separates the water when it pierces effortlessly through waves or large chop. The "wing" shaped rails up front prevent the nose from being affected by cross wind and allows the rider easy tracking in the desired direction during windy conditions. The bottom shape is a no-gimmick, simple flow, from the soft rounded edges in the front going into the single, stability concave in the standing area and blending to a flat release in the back. The rails in the back have an edge to them to aid with gliding and surfing ability.
From flat water to down-winding this board excels in all aspects of SUP and will simplify your quiver...

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Forestinjersey said..
Best all round 14ft for me so far was the 2016 Maliko, crazy stable, super light and heaps of fun. I currently have a 2019 14 x 26 Maliko and its a great board as well, but heavy, mine is 14Kg compared to the 2016 which was maybe 10-11kg. Also have a 2017 14 x 25 Infinity Blackfish, surfs beautifully but a nightmare in the bumps, no hard rails, rounded bottom = many swims.

Just waiting on delivery of my ONE EVO2 14 x 26. 2019 is going to be a great year....

Thanks forestinkersey. So the 2017 blackfish must be quite different to the 2018 that I tried. Square and high rails combined with bottom shape made it v stable. No yaw at all, unlike the Falcon.

You wouldn't recommend the 2017 blackfish for DW?