I've been wanting a SUP for a…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 9/25/2015
I've been wanting a SUP for a couple of years and finally decided to take the leap. I chose the Surf by Odyssey and was instantly in love with the sport. This board fit all the parameters I was looking for...lightweight, 10'6" (fits in my minivan), stable enough for SUP Yoga, fun in surf, higher weight capacity for tagalong kids and dogs, and supposedly stronger than fiberglass. The last statement is WRONG!!! While the board has all of the other qualities I was looking for, it is certainly NOT strong. I am an avid paddler and have owned a fiberglass sea kayak for over 13 years with no issues. This board is not even 6 months old and has four patches (thank goodness for Surftech Ding Dough) and a completely trashed fin box (thanks in part to the manufacturers for partially epoxying that in...and the hit it took to my foot should NOT have busted the fin box). It's never been paddled in rocky locations and 9 times out of 10 has been launched from boat ramps so I'm not beaching the fins. I am completely impressed with the feel and handling of the board itself but will likely never purchase an Odyssey board again. I wish I would've spent the extra $100 or so to get the Boardworks or Surftech I was looking at.
Pros
Weight, size
Cons
The "rhino tech" construction is a joke. Go with fiberglass as it's far more durable.
Usage
Exercise, fishing, touring