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Why are the Eclipse Boards SO heavy??
http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=134&t=63456		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Frankster [ Tue Aug 14, 2018 1:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Why are the Eclipse Boards SO heavy??
Not trying to be a pain, or start a controversy, but why are the Eclipse boards so darn heavy compared to other SUPs? I suspect many will jump to say that these are not SUPs, they're a bit more stable, all the extra versatility, yada yada. Yes, I understand that all, but do they have to be nearly DOUBLE the weight of comparable SUPs (...and that is just for the board alone without the handlebars and drive)?? I mean, seriously, surely Hobie could've designed a lighter plank to attach their hardware to... or just fitted it all to one of the many fine strong lightweight boards out there already.
I am asking this in earnest, because I am shopping for a SUP, and am considering the option of getting an Eclipse instead. (Would be buying a pair of boards, and so it is not in the budget to just get 2 SUPs and 2 Eclipses, so please don't suggest that I just buy both.)

The idea of a mirage driven SUP is great, but this extreme weight almost kinda makes it a deal breaker. I have an older Adventure Island Sailboat, and the center hull weight of that is not much heavier than the Eclipse for goodness sake.
Author:  mmiller [ Tue Aug 14, 2018 2:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Why are the Eclipse Boards SO heavy??
Large, thick... drive well, handlebar, rudder structures... pedals. These are large boards with lots of added features beyond a SUP.
Author:  Defy [ Tue Aug 14, 2018 6:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Why are the Eclipse Boards SO heavy??
I have both the 12 ft eclipse and a 12ft Bote paddle board and my eclipse is about 10 lbs heavier board for board. 1 lb or so are the pedals and you probably add 10lbs for the handles/drive. The eclipse is also a few inches wider. All and all I don’t think it’s that heavy.

Pricey... yeah but all very well engineered.

The only real gripe I have is the finish. It is impossible to keep nice. I have given up on babying it. We use it and if it gets a big gouge I’ll just patch it and move on.




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Author:  Frankster [ Thu Aug 16, 2018 8:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Why are the Eclipse Boards SO heavy??
Yes, but just to be clear, I was not talking about the massive "fully rigged" weight of 59 pounds, but rather just the "fitted hull weight" of the board itself, which is still a whopping 48 pounds. Compare that to the typical 27 pound paddle board, and it seems there is a lot of room to save weight on these eclipse boards while still keeping them as strong as they need to be to handle the extra forces generated by the mirage drive. Just saying.
Author:  mmiller [ Thu Aug 16, 2018 9:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Why are the Eclipse Boards SO heavy??
Thicker and heavier glass layups to supports the drive, handlebars and rudder. Likely a denser heavier foam core as well.
Author:  Defy [ Thu Aug 16, 2018 10:18 am ]
Post subject:  Why are the Eclipse Boards SO heavy??
Really not trying to pick a fight, more so understand.

All 12 boards that I have seen come in mid to high 30s.

My 11ft Fisher inflatable says its 29 lbs.

Now I bet there are fast race boards that might be lighter but for general recreation I have not see ultra light 12ft boards.

Boards I currently own:

Hobie eclipse 12 - 48lbs max weight 275lbs
Bote HD 12 - 38lbs /315 lbs
Bote Flood 10.6 -28lbs/230lbs
Fisher Blowfish 11 inflatable- 29lbs /315lbs

Which boards are you looking at? Do they match on capacity?

Side note whichever way you go get the surfstow board cart and mod it with bigger wheels and a handle. I love it!

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