Baller WBLskier Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 I'm looking to buy a new paddleboard with durability and budget as the primary concerns. I know there are a ton of good boards out there but I don't want to spend much and I don't want to have to worry about the kids damaging it. I'm looking at the Greco Ark (mostly foam) and the Tower Adventurer (inflatable). Each is under $500. Does anyone have any experience with these or suggestions for something else that might fit the bill? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller GOODESkier Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 For super cheap...... look for a beat up wind surfer board...... For durability, anything that is roto-mold plastic would hold up really well. We have a friend that makes boards, but that is neither durable or economical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 We've got an NRS Big Earl - inflatable which is about double your price range, and my recommendation would be that if you go inflatable make sure that you can try it out first so that you know how ridged it is. I've tried a couple other inflatables and some of them are like standing on an air mattress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller WBLskier Posted February 11, 2014 Author Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 old jeep---how do you like the inflatable in general? the Tower is incredibly rigid...saw it at the boat show a couple weeks ago. It was supported on both ends (unsupported in the middle) and I was standing on the middle of it..no noticeable flex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 I like it fine, mostly because we can air it down and toss it in a bag - no rack needed on the truck. If I lived on a lake I would definitely get a ridged one, they are a little more stable and a lot faster in the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ lpskier Posted February 11, 2014 Baller_ Share Posted February 11, 2014 I have a Connelly and really like it. Lpskier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Than_Bogan Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 Connelly makes a nice paddleboard, and there's a little ski connection there! Hard to get under $1000 there, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 They are stable enough though ;) My wife is a yoga instructor, so we've got pictures doing headstands on all sorts of dumb things. You can see how it is flexing a bit in the picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MattP Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 The @connelly_skis_inc inflatable boards are pretty cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skier2788 Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 If budget is a concern I second the used windsurfer. Bought mine for 100 bucks off craoglost and works as well as a buddies 1500 dollar board. Might be more durable too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ lpskier Posted February 11, 2014 Baller_ Share Posted February 11, 2014 I should have mentioned that you can purchase a Connelly board from H2OProShop.com, thereby benifiting two water ski companies with one non-water ski purchase! Lpskier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socalskier Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Go with lifetime paddle boards. Indestructible and stable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller wtrskior Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 Bluwave.CA is a friend of mines company. Very good quality boards and designs, he rides and races what he sells. Should have some old stock lying around too... Most are made in the same factory in China. Connelly, radar, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Texas6 Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 I bought my board from Paddleboarddirect online and the customer service was top notch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Drago Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 Tower is nice. I have two other-brand inflatables, jump on a friend's tower now and then . I'm 195lbs. Flat water . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Chef23 Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 I have a Bic board that I bought for about $850 it is durable and plenty stable. I just cruise around the lake on it and it is great for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller andjules Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 [start:cynical-comment:] Old windsurfer. Then when you lose interest in a month you won't feel dumb.[/end:cynical-comment] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jimbrake Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 My recommendation would be if you are not a surfer, don't take it into the surf. Stay on flat water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller WBLskier Posted February 11, 2014 Author Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 SoCal Skier--the lifetime boards look super durable but heavy, short and wide. Are they really slow or hard to paddle given the extra 3" or so of width compared to most boards? I just need them to tool around the lake, so a little slower is fine, but if they are a dog to paddle compared to lighter, narrower and longer boards I might not like it as much. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller PBD Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 hard to beat costco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skibumm Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I have heard good things about the lifetime products boards for durablity and stability. They also say they paddle easy too. Check out the reveiws on amazon. We are thinking that they are the right type for us as well for Powell. We have taken boards down the past two years and the foam ones were too fragile and the really nice ones scared us to put on the beach so they were kind of a pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socalskier Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 The lifetime paddle boards are great. I have a very progressive board that I surf. I would never want it for the lake. The lifetime boards are smooth and stable and very reasonable. I own 4 big ones and 2 small ones. With the package deal and a nice discount I was about $300.00 with paddle. I purchased them at sports authority. Old windsurfers are too narrow to be fun for all. I've owned them. Nothing is perfect but these are close Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller WBLskier Posted February 11, 2014 Author Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 Has anyone tried the Sun Dolphin Seaquest 10' paddleboard from Walmart? Looks like it would fit what I need and has a drink holder (which I expect I could find a use for in the summer). Other than being a bit heavy it looks like it would work fine and the price is right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller tfriess Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 the Bic boards pretty nice, cheaper than most Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller swc5150 Posted February 11, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 11, 2014 I 3rd the old windsurfer board. We had three from the late 80's in our garage for years, and just last summer broke them out to use a paddle boards. They're not quite as stable as the real thing, but close enough for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Fatroll Posted February 12, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 12, 2014 Bought my wife a connelly for Christmas. Cannot review or comment on it as it does not go too well on the ice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Chef23 Posted February 12, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 12, 2014 I do agree that the right older windsurfer would work fine. The Bic I have doesn't look that different than the early beginner windsurfers. The F2 longboard I have is a little less stable than my Bic paddleboard but I could make it work. It is just at a different house so I needed another one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeprunc Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Depends what you plan on using it for and what lake size. If I were on a ski lake, I'd get a cheap foam paddle board from Costco, they don't go very fast, but are very durable and safer for kids. But we are on a very large water way (and don't have kids), so we both have Tahoe SUPs which makes 10 mile paddles much more enjoyable. Having an adjustable paddle is also nice when sharing with several people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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