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So which board is your favorite?

I have two Ripboards and a couple homemade boards. I just made a board out of a kayak/playboat and it is simply awesome to ride and surf. As far as factory boards go is there any consensus on which ones are better? Is it all a matter of taste? I would love some of your feedback. I just sold my two best kayaks and have some money burning a hole in my pocket.

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Permalink Reply by Spencer John on June 17, 2009 at 2:34pm
I have not used a lot of different boards, but I love my RMR Streamjet; the thing has been bulletproof and I have pounded down some rocky runs. As a pure downriver board the Streamjet is awesome, the Streamjet S is easier for me to surf and is still a quality downriver board, so I guess it just depends on what you prefer to do.
Permalink Reply by Rochelle Parry on June 17, 2009 at 4:25pm
KERN is my favorite. Lightweight, maneuverable. But I am more confident on a hydrospeed in the big stuff, where more protection in the front and hips on the rear are appreciated. I have tried Rip Boards and wouldn't want to knock my chin into one. I tried RMR and it was unwieldy for my smallish frame. Carlsons are fun but same issue as Kern, yet not as fast I don't think, and they can get heavy. I'd like to try a Mean Monkey inflatable one of these days.
Permalink Reply by Rob Larkham on June 17, 2009 at 4:37pm
I don't mind the plastic boards(ripboards) as I wear a fullface kayaking helmet (Shred Ready). I do wish the Ripboard was just a little more buoyant and about 5 inches longer. That said though I enjoy using them. I have an almost unlimited supply of minicell foam so my next project may be a hydrospeed. I may use the CNC router at work to pop one out.
Permalink Reply by Rochelle Parry on June 17, 2009 at 6:16pm
Hmmm if I give you some measurements maybe you can make one for me! I'll pay ya! Do you know how the handles work on the inside?
Permalink Reply by Ehren Axley on June 18, 2009 at 11:23pm
Since I finished making hydrospeeds for me and my wife we haven't used flat boards for anything other than surfing/playpark. I've never tried a ripboard, but a few years ago I road a Prijon sledge. All I could think the whole time was "If this thing gets away from me it's going to kill someone downriver". For my money the hydrospeed is tough to beat for anything class 3ish and up. It's so much easier to stay with/on your board. That having been said I greatly prefer something like a Kern or even a large ocean board for the playpark.
Permalink Reply by Rob Larkham on June 19, 2009 at 12:48pm
At this point I can't find much to compare to my new homemade (old kayak) for play/surf/downriver. Heavier then a foam board but works awesome.
Permalink Reply by Huw Miles on June 22, 2009 at 12:22am
Dude, what´s wrong with a decent ocean going body board? So manoeverable, great for squirts, barrels rolls and surfing. I can´t see anyone pulling a drop knee on a RMR or a hydrospeed. It´s got leash too so you can´t loose it, it´s easy to transport, it´s cheap and most importantly it doesn´t hurt if it kisses your chin every now and then. Whoever thought of putting metal fixtures on a riverboard must have one lonely brain cell!
Permalink Reply by Rob Larkham on June 22, 2009 at 12:52am
The creeks I run would eat up a boogie board in about a 1/4 mile.
Permalink Reply by Kevin Yount on June 22, 2009 at 4:41am
Agreed on what Rob said. Bodyboards are awesome on big, fluffy waves or stuff with deep holes. The Kennebec in Maine is a great example of a good river to bodyboard on. I keep one in the car occasionally for park and play. However, when you start running shallow stuff, bodyboards will leave your knuckles exposed.
Permalink Reply by Rochelle Parry on June 22, 2009 at 4:41pm
Photographic evidence of drop-kneeing on a Kern will be posted in the very near future. Standing up was even accomplished. As Kevin said, in a shallow hole, getting to one's knees on a bodyboard is damaging to knuckles and fingertips, as I do not have handles on the sponge, and the downward pressure puts my hands between the board and the concrete/rock feature.
Permalink Reply by Rob Larkham on June 22, 2009 at 5:00pm
Being that I'm fairly new and don't do the competitions you guys do, I don't know all the lingo. I wouldn't know a drop knee from a Big Mac. What I do know is I'm trying to board the same class 4/5 runs I do in my kayak. Many are shallow and I have PLENTY of rock hits. The Ripboards and my new homemade board take them hits fine and work as a great rock shields. As for my face, you will not see me creeking my boards without my Shred Ready Fullface on. If I'm just on a wave surfing I will wear my normal halfcut helmet. All this said, I do not object to foam boards. I started this thread to get everyone's opinion of what is out there. I like to have lots of toys in the quiver. I just sold 2 of the 10 kayaks I own that sit in the garage with the 2 canoes, 1 cataraft and 4 riverboards. LIVE LIFE, PLAY HARD!!!
Permalink Reply by Ehren Axley on June 22, 2009 at 6:24pm
Shallow rocky runs are about all there are around where I live too. So far my hydrospeed has held up very well (knock on wood). I've had success putting a couple of thick coats of contact cement on the hull to prevent tearing. I think my next project is going to be a hydrospeed style board with a carbon fiber hull of some sort. I just need to figure out what foam to use (epoxy glue which is needed to adhere the carbon fiber properly will dissolve minicell).

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