S.I.C. X14 SUP Stand Up Paddle Racing Board
Here’s a look at the new SIC X14 race board. This is the flat water design that Mark Raaphorst designed for short course races like Battle of the Paddle. These boards are especially good for riders under 200 lbs but the X14 seems to be able to float me pretty well at 205 lbs.
Here’s how Mark describes the board, straight from his site at www.paddlemaui.com.
“The X-Series was developed with the short course racing scene (e.g. BoP) in mind. In developing the X-14 and stock class X-12, we focussed on speed, sufficient stability and volume with some surf control and a light weight carbon composite construction. The X14 comes with fixed fin as well as steering equipped.The new X12 and X14 will be distributed world-wide by the fall of 2010.”
I tested this board in 20 mph winds and found that the straight rocker and piercing nose are much better suited for flatter water conditions. The X14 tracked straight and the steering works like a charm as it does on all the SIC boards. This will be a board to keep an eye on at Battle of the Paddle Hawaii in June.
Here’s a quick rundown on the design:
The nose is pretty interesting. It’s different than my other boards. It kinda reminds me of the nose on a wave witch kayak I used to have. The nose pierces through chop with ease.
X14 displacement nose side view
X14 displacement nose front view
Looks like a new logo for the X series.
X14 new logo
The front section of the deck has an interesting dome design. This is especially nice when trying to keep your feet dry.
X14 front section dome deck
The foot pedal is the new adjustable version. I love this pedal.
X14 adjustable carbon foot pedal
The tail is a little thicker than the FW-14. This helps to keep the tail from sinking into the swell.
X14 tail
X14 top view
X14 bottom view
If you’ve ridden the X14, please let us know your feedback in the comments. I’ll post more info as I get it.
Evan,
What is the width and thickness.
Is this a custom model?
Is this the one that is going in to production for a fall time frame of distribution.
Nice board!
How does this compare to your Bark with the displacement nose?
Thanks for the info
Jeff – I need to measure it but off the top of my head it’s around 29″ wide and 5.5″ thick. It was hand shaped but I think it’s going to be the same as the molded one. The X14 and Bark 14 are pretty different. The tail on the bark and the really flat bottom make it surf more like a surfboard provided you can get the nose out of the water. The X14 feels more like a race board although it tracks straighter than the F18 and other displacement type SIC boards. It surfs waves pretty good off the tail.
I JUST SPOKE TO MARK THIS WEEK AND HE’S BUILDING ME WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A CUSTOM X-14. I’M IN FLORIDA SO IT’S FOR FLAT WATER/CHOP AND RACES–NO DOWNWINDERS OR “BUMPS”. NO STEERING SINCE IT’S NOT ALLOWED IN THE 14′ CLASS. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE NOSE IS DIFFERENT (FROM THE FW-14 AND F-18) DUE TO RESEARCH HE’S DONE OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS; MORE EFFICIENT AND HE CAN MAKE THE BOARD NARROWER WITHOUT COMPROMISING STABILITY. HE SAYS THE BOARD IS FAST. I’M LETTING HIM DETERMINE EXACT DIMENSIONS FOR MY WEIGHT (200LBS). BOTTOM WILL BE WHITE BECAUSE OF SUN AND HEAT WHEN IT’S ON ROOF RACK AND IT WILL HAVE 2 VENT VALVES INSTEAD OF ONE, I’VE GIVEN HIM DISCRETION ON TOP COLOR/DESIGN. I SHOULD HAVE IT LATE JUNE. I WILL POST PHOTOS AND COMMENTS ONCE I’VE RECEIVED IT.
Hey Evan,
How would you compare the X14 to the F14? I know that you ride the F14 a lot and wanted your opinion between the two of them. Like will you take the X14 out in 20mph winds with waist high swells or the F14? I also wanted to know how well the X14 surfs compared to your 14 foot Bark that you got from SG. Any advise would be much appreciated.
Aloha,
Sam
Sam – X14 is much more suited for flatter water conditions than the F14. In 20 mph winds in Hawaii I’d take the F-14 or F-16 because the winds most likely will create larger ocean swells to catch. If I was on a lake that had 20 mph winds but the water was still pretty flat, I’d use the X14. It’s all based on personal preference and conditions for where you ride. Comparing the X14 to the Bark is hard because they are so different. What are your conditions like, how much do you weigh, your skill level, etc?
Thanks for getting back to me Evan. I live up in San Francisco now. There’s some downwind runs like Hawaii Kai with 15 mph winds and the bumps can get up to waist high up here. Summer time there lots of wind in the afternoon. Which is good cause can surf in the morning and paddle in the evening. I weigh about 190 right now. I know someone selling a X14 and was super curious about it to see if it was worth it to pick it up or order a F14. Most of all I want to know if it can surf and handle the bumps when I come back home and try it for a Hawaii Kai run.
Thanks again Evan for your input. Any more advise would be very appreciated again.
Mahalo,
Sam
Sam – If it’s a friend selling the X14, you should see if they will let you test it out first.
It’s not a really good friend Evan. I wish he was though. Plus the board is back home in Hawaii and I won’t be back until Christmas time. I just wanted to get your opinion on the board. You can email me if you want to tell me about it at datokenhawaiian@gmail.com
I really like your reports on all the boards that you try out and want your opinion. Especially since you have tried them both.
Please let me know.
Thanks,
sam