Looking to pick up an inflatable sup .... Any experience with 'Jimmy Stykes' 11.6 model? Beginner... Looking for something just to leave on the boat...

JD,

We have a 10 ft and a 14 ft inflatable SUP from Tower. I much prefer the 14 ft one, when paddling it goes very straight. I can paddle several times on the same side and it just goes straight. The 10 ft one turns with every stroke. I've carried two passengers and myself on the 14 footer. I don't have experience with a Jimmy Stykes model but I would consider a longer one.

Tony

I have used the 10ft Xterra model. Works well and easy to transport.

Are you planning to cover any distances with it? Most people I see on SUPs don't venture far from the mothership. For a near-the-boat water toy get something basic and cheap and see how much you like it. Short inflatable SUPs tend to be thick, slow and don't have much directional stability.

I have the 10' Tower board also, and am happy with it based on what I paid for it. I put it in a rolling duffel bag and it travels with me to the BVI a couple times a year. I even have underwater LEDs and an inflatable roof rack for it when I'm land-based. I've paddled with my great dane on board with me!

Is it a perfect board? No, it sits out of the water quite a bit and can be a little "tippy" if you're not used to it ... not to mention it can be difficult to paddle into any kind of wind. But I love being able to bring it with me wherever I go, and I've been very impressed by its durability despite airline/ferry baggage handlers' attempts to destroy it.

I bought right before they introduced the longer one and I wish I had known they were coming out with a longer model. If I had to replace it today I'd definitely get the longer one. It's paid for itself several times over if you consider what it would have cost me to rent one each time.

Felix

I also just picked up a 10 ft Tower Adventurer 2. It is very rigid - a lot more so than I expected from an inflatable. I will admit that I've used it only twice so far in our home waters of Casco Bay but only because I ordered it just before Labor Day. I'm looking forward to using it a lot more next season.

One feature I already like a lot more than a rigid board is that it has a nice carrying handle in the middle vs an indented handle in the hard board. It makes the board a lot easier to maneuver up/over/into wherever you need it to go. It is also lighter than a solid board.