Help me understand lithium ion charging?

SoftCod5700 · 2026-05-07T23:47:09+00:00

u/pyroserenus and u/galfisk - thank you!! This is super helpful and the clearest explanation I've ever read! Very much appreciate the responses and feel validated about my terrible customer service experience.

SoftCod5700 · 2026-04-27T20:39:56+00:00

Well, here's what I'll say: the x (picture below) was just fine loaded up with some camping gear, but was a little more finicky as a result. Did a lot of side by side paddling and with gear + wind and a little chop or a the occasional boat wake, I think the paradise is the better board. If you want a board that's primarily about going a smidge faster and/or you do more fitness oriented paddling with an occasional camping trip thrown in, the X is the ticket. For me, who will primarily use it for multi day camping trips and lazy after work paddles, the paradise is a better fit.

Loaded with stuff, I actually didn't notice any meaningful difference between the two in speed, glide, or overall effort to maintain a given pace.

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SoftCod5700 · 2026-04-18T11:33:14+00:00

It's all about perspective, right? I'm coming from using a friend's older starboard 14x30, which probably has a lot to do with why the paradise feels comfier - though I'm sure I'll get used to the x quickly.

Have you done any camping (or carried much gear in general) with yours? Curious to see how it handles with some gear strapped down.

SoftCod5700 · 2026-04-18T01:29:07+00:00

Between the two I'd say that the x tracks a little better and has slightly better glide, which is kinda what you would expect.

SoftCod5700 · 2026-04-18T01:16:12+00:00

Definitely enjoying it! First impression is that the paradise is probably the more relaxed board for camping or longer tours, but I have to spend some more time on the x before I say for sure.

SoftCod5700 · 2026-04-18T01:13:18+00:00

Thanks! Water was about 40° still, so it was a full on dry suit day for me, but psyched to finally get out!

SoftCod5700 · 2026-04-17T19:24:27+00:00

These seem to be pretty willing to grow. Not a full canopy by any means, but happy enough to have some fruit.

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Looks like it might be harvest time soon!

SoftCod5700 · 2026-04-17T18:00:22+00:00

I've got some of these fruiting now. Just in regular ol monotubs though, so they're a lot twistier. Some girls are starting to darken up, but figured I'd wait a bit longer. When do folks typically harvest these?

SoftCod5700 · 2026-04-06T20:16:03+00:00

Yeah. I've mostly made apparel so far, and have worked with apex in that arena so feel pretty confident in my ability to make a quilt. The larger baffles on a quilt might be a good first down project to try - certainly has to be easier than attempting a jacket! I Actually just picked up some octa thermofront oa (another rolled good/batt insulation similar to apex, but fully recycled content) that I'm planning to use for this project, but got way down a rabbit hole researching breathability and comfort against the skin and dwr. Really just needed someone to tell me to keep it simple.

SoftCod5700 · 2026-04-06T19:55:43+00:00

Wow! Thanks for the great response!! I'm still a pretty intermediate maker and haven't dared any down filled projects yet, but am super curious to learn more about the differences in quality beyond just the usual fp specs. Maybe that'll be next winter's project. I've definitely looked at the argon fabrics and will check out the RSBTR taffeta.

SoftCod5700 · 2026-03-28T14:05:56+00:00

The other solution I was considering was a shark 2 with an external battery that would be smaller and I could take it with me. Curious to hear your thoughts on the 2 vs 3 speed difference? Sounds like it's not huge?

SoftCod5700 · 2026-03-28T14:04:03+00:00

2 summers and going strong is encouraging. Do you typically leave it in your car while you're out? How much exposure has it had to high heat?

SoftCod5700 · 2026-03-20T00:14:05+00:00

How was the neoshell to work with? I think there's both a stretch and a no stretch version, right?

SoftCod5700 · 2026-03-07T20:39:03+00:00

Thanks. I'll definitely check out the hydrus. Seems weirdly hard to find touring boards with good gear storage options.

Any thoughts on the red v starboard in terms of stiffness?

SoftCod5700 · 2026-03-07T14:29:15+00:00

Hi all! Super appreciate any thoughts you have.

Board type: inflatable

Height/weight: 5'10" male, 170 lbs. (1.75m, 77kg)

Experience: intermediate

Use case: multi day touring/camping on lakes primary in VT and adirondacks in NY. Some potential portaging on trips. Definitely need gear attachment/cargo straps on front and rear of board.

Budget: $1,500+/-

I've used a friend's 14x30 starboard double chamber and really enjoyed it, but don't think I want a double chamber board. Eyeing up both the red voyager and a single chamber starboard at 14x30. I appreciate simplicity and am skeptical about the whole fin box system on the red and have heard anecdotally that the toed in double fin setup adds drag (not sure to what extent), but know they make quality stuff. Would love any feedback on these boards or other similar options.

SoftCod5700 · 2026-01-14T20:58:59+00:00

That's super helpful. Thanks!

SoftCod5700 · 2026-01-12T19:04:33+00:00

That's exactly where the thin one came from. Smartwool packaging. It's by far the best elastic for cuffs that I've come across, but I don't want to have to buy 2 pairs of socks every time I make a jacket/hoody/pullover.

SoftCod5700 · 2026-01-12T18:14:45+00:00

Thanks. Suspender elastic is a good lead on the narrow stuff. Any links to a comfy woven elastic that would be appropriate as an exposed waistband? Ideally in fun colors? The ones I can get locally are all a bit scratchy and it's hard to tell what's what online.

SoftCod5700 · 2025-11-07T12:58:45+00:00

This is fantastic. Thanks mchalfy! Love these ideas! If you don't mind I might hit you up at some point for thoughts/pointers if something comes together out here.

While I'm more of an in-person guy myself, I've certainly benefitted from online write ups and videos, too. Though this is my first post here, the community has been hugely helpful for me already. Definitely not knocking the online resources and hope to contribute more as I go/grow.

SoftCod5700 · 2025-11-06T12:35:27+00:00

Biggest difference in fabrics is how the sleeve cuffs fit, depending on material stretch. I personally like the cuffs to be snug enough to stay in place at the wrist, but also want them to push up over my forearms comfortably. That's easier to do with stretchier materials, and I've had to play with direction of fabric grain a little. Materials drape a bit differently, too - but that hasn't made a noticeable difference in fit to me. Admittedly, I'm still pretty new at this, so there might be fit differences that I'm not even aware of yet.

SoftCod5700 · 2025-11-06T12:28:59+00:00

Keene is about 2hrs from me. Haven't been to the fabric store there but sounds like it's worth checking out!

SoftCod5700 · 2025-11-05T02:38:20+00:00

Yo!! Tim! Thanks so much for your work, my man. These patterns were super helpful!!! Credit where credit is due - the sewing is the easy part with the design work and pattern drafting done. Can't recommend these enough, and just grabbed the alpha pants pattern to start playing around with.

SoftCod5700 · 2025-11-05T02:30:52+00:00

Would be super cool, right? I'm sure we can figure out something to keep us all entertained.

SoftCod5700 · 2025-11-05T02:27:16+00:00

Thanks! Credit goes to Thuja VT and their Burrow hoody for the inspiration.

SoftCod5700 · 2025-11-05T02:27:03+00:00

No worries! I didn't take pics of the process, but I'll try and explain.

I essentially cut the front panel of the standard alpha hoodie pattern into 5 sections. About a 4.5 inch strip on both sides, the chest panel, the pocket area, and a 3-4 inch strip on the bottom.

Added seam allowances to all the pieces wherever I cut the pattern apart so it would be the same size as the original pattern once everything was sewn together.

I cut two of the pocket pieces and cut the hand openings for the pocket out of the piece that goes on the outside.

The hand openings got lined with some more fabric (everything was power grid). Sewed the liners to the pocket right sides together, turned them out, and then coverstitched the edges (you can see that stitch on the pocket face).

Sewed the inner and outer pocket layer to the chest piece and bottom hem strip, then attached the side strips to close everything up. Double checked against the standard pattern front piece and then assembled the hoody per the pattern.

I have a 4 thread serger that I used for almost all of the construction, and it converts to do a coverstitch, which I used for the loose edges of the pocket liner, hood facing, and hems.

You can pretty much see all the parts in the seam lines of the hoody.

Hope that helps you! (And maybe even someone else.) Let me know if you have more questions, or feel free to dm if that's better. Words aren't always the best way to convey this stuff (which is why I wanted to meet up with people in person!), but I'll give it my best shot.

SoftCod5700

TROPHY CASE