I have an Efin I got it for $550 ( Australian Dollars ) I originally got it for assistance when paddling my disabled son on the red tandem board for days out. Usually when paddling like this we are in the company of a mixed group of crafts ( kayaks of various styles and canoes ), using the Efin as an assist means we don’t slow the group down and Dakota gets such a kick out of it. I’ve also started taking it with me in solo paddles when I only have a limited amount of time or when I want to get to a certain spot to spend time photographing. It definitely adds drag when I’m in a hurry and it’s not on but when I’m just leisurely paddling I don’t really notice much difference. Recently I went on a group paddle without the Efin fitted and noticed how much stronger and more more sustained my paddling has become and I attribute this to paddling with the extra drag of the fin both while in use and continuing to paddle even when using it as a boost at lower speeds. My technique has also improved.

@SUPboardermag

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this - good to hear about your experience with an fin - thanks, Will

Biggest con to me has to be the noise! And that can negatively affect both the eSUP owner and those around them. Getting out into nature, hearing wind, waves, and wildlife has got to be in my top 3 reasons to paddleboard. There's already enough to disrupt that, so not eager to see more. I do understand not everybody is as fit or physically capable of paddleboarding, and I wish everyone who wants to enjoy time on the water as I do to be able to do so. However, perhaps paddleboarding isn't then the ideal way to experience it? I imagine canoes, kayaks, and row boats could be less physically demanding. Anyway, just my thoughts. Well presented video Will!

@donnawetter1513

Жыл бұрын

One problem is see that those not physically capable of paddling also wont be able to get up on their board anymore in deep water.

@Meibeon

Жыл бұрын

Fair point on the noise issue totally agree. My local venue has a guy who plays Metallica on his speaker and you can hear him from miles away 😆

@SUPboardermag

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment. Great points you have made and agree with your thoughts. Cheers, Beau

I was trying a single drive unit in my kayak the other day, top speed was about 10kph, but should be a bit quicker on a board, I'll have it tried out soon and see what its got, Happy New Year :)

@SUPboardermag

Жыл бұрын

Happy New Year! Glad you are trying out some motorised propulsion. I'd say it would be a little quicker on a SUP. Thanks, Beau

My number one steer away is the fact you just turned your board into a motorized vessel, which now makes it mandatory to register your board and have to find a way to make it 100% legal to use. A part of that would be the mandatory red and green lights that's required... at a degree and position not possible.

@SUPboardermag

Жыл бұрын

Good comment Christopher. According to COLREGs part C, rule 20), navigation lights must always be used on board from sunset to sunrise or during the day if visibility is poor. And a board of this size and overall speed that would just be a single white light, although colleges says if you are a dinghy you can just carry a torch... so a little vague as doesnt mention if motorised or not. I guess you could just stick it on, but the key thing to remember is that you just need to be seen by other water craft. British Canoeing also said that their waterways license would not be valid if using an eSUP. Worth thinking about. Thanks Reuben

@anthonyscalise7398

4 ай бұрын

Get off the water by sunset.

They're great. Why not have more options? Also, it provides access for people with physical limitations, and can be a safety aid in certain situations.

@SUPboardermag

Жыл бұрын

Great comment and there are some good benefits to these products. Thanks, Beau

I added an E Fin ( the Jaykay E-fin, with built-in batteries) to a Wingfoil Board, (much smaller than iSup), behind the Foil, with the primary purpose to help me to takeoff , on the Foil. During my Christmas Holidays in South of Vietnam I was blown away much quicker than expected by Offshore wind. Anyone who paddled against offshore wind knows, at the beginning you are strong enough , but after a while your energy decrease and reaching the shore becomes a survival challenge. Thanks to the E-fin, the power was constant and my arms just paddled to keep the right direction. There are conditions (strong current or wind) where an E-fin can be very useful. So my secondary goal (security) was perfectly reached.

@seawalkarrg

Жыл бұрын

Doesn’t it add a lot of drag once your not using it? Or do you take it off while your foiling?

@HandyCapito

Жыл бұрын

@@seawalkarrg that Jaykay Fin has not only the batteries included (no any separate box ) , but it turn off itself when out of the water. Total weight around 2 kg. The board Hipe First 6,6 is 7,3 kg, the Gong Foil XXL around 5 kg. I glued a slide Fin box ( same as for iSup). Surprisingly you don’t feel any drag when is ON in the water, because it pushes you and it’s compact. When you take off you have 2kg behind, which of course you prefer not to have, but I m over 90 kg myself and the main purpose is the use by lightwind. If you have enough wind, you just slide it out . On the beach I am now, there’s only offshore wind unfortunately, that’s why I tested it in this bad conditions and I have not enough experience at this moment.

@SUPboardermag

Жыл бұрын

E-fins can certainly be a safety device when used in windy conditions. Thanks for sharing your experience. 👍 Beau

@AdamsHadEnough

Жыл бұрын

Did you get earlier light wind takeoffs with the e-fin?

@HandyCapito

Жыл бұрын

@@AdamsHadEnough my purpose is not to lower the minimal wind necessary, but to make the takeoff easier for people like me, heavy, not Foil-experienced , because the board reach by itself already a good speed and then a few pumping helps. I have to test more and In better conditions

At the moment the price of around £700 for powerfins isnt justifiable, its more than I paid for my fishing board . For estuary fishing for Bass ,Mullet and Flounder they would be a tremendous addition to your fishing gear so thats a good plus. I can also see the benefit of paddling down a river with the wind then having help to get back again, especially on wide fishing boards . But like I said that price is a rip off .

@SUPboardermag

Жыл бұрын

Fair point for sure. If someone is using it on a very regular basis for paddling in wind or to help with their paddling, then it might be justifiable. Thanks for the comment. Beau

What the market offers will be (unfortunately) bought, i hope that this 'E SUP wave' will pass quickly or will be regulated. In addition to the noise and the production of electronic waste my most important point is that the lack of fitness is replaced with motor power and this leads to overconfidence (I'm thinking of the 'summer SUP' paddlers who can't even make it back onto the SUP when they fallen into the water, everything already experienced)... and that is much more dangerous on the water than compared to the use of an e-bike. My way - what you can't do with your own power is your limit, beyond you have to train step by step. Thank you for your work in 2022, best SUP chanel, best regards from Germany!

@christopherfarrell9227

Жыл бұрын

By definition, it technically is a motorized vessel once you install this, so technically you would have to register your board afterwards.

@SUPboardermag

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment Patrick. Very true words and we hope that people use these safely and within their limits. But as you have said, it leads to overconfidence. Let's see where it goes. Thanks, Beau

@SUPboardermag

Жыл бұрын

Hey Chris - I think it depends on where in the world you are using the motorised vessel. No requirement in the UK, but I think its a requirement ins Australia perhaps. Cheers , Will

There should be a simple "contact" button on your website. Had to cancel my pro subscription because I can't log in and can't email anyone to help me. Would have been nice to see the touring isup comparison.

@SUPboardermag

Жыл бұрын

Hey Roen. Sorry to hear you've been having trouble contacting us through the site. There has been some resent site changes and the contact us button accidentally got removed. Thankyou for bringing it to our attention! Regarding your logging in difficulties, 99% of the time it's usually due to your computer browsers cache. The problem is usually resolved by logging in using a different browser eg firefox instead of crome. If you send me an email to reuben@supboardermag.com with your SUPboarder PRO user name I'll look into it further for you and see how we can get you viewing the touring iSUP comparison. Kind regards. Reuben

I have Jetson SUP, purchased in late 2020 and have spent well over $6,000+. Only able to use it a few times before breaking down. Went in for repairs multiple times with spending over $2,000+ on repairs. Repairs took over 2yrs. Only to get board back with using in water (Ocean / surfing waves) with water entry into electric box to damage again and new they want over $2400+ for repairs. This does not account for battery issues that took place and had to purchase new batteries over $800 each (4 batteries) w/new charger. Jetson does not stand behind their work and products.

@SUPboardermag

Жыл бұрын

Hi Dale, Sorry to hear about your poor experience with Jetson - sounds like poor customer care to me :( Will / SUPboarder

@lynnh8189

Жыл бұрын

@@SUPboardermag They are now working with me on issues. I am doing most of the work myself. We will see how this works out.

You paddling off Plymouth there? Thought I recognised a few places...

@SUPboardermag

Жыл бұрын

Well spotted 😉

Not in this lifetime.

@SUPboardermag

Жыл бұрын

Fair enough. It certainly divides a lot of us.