Ha! The more I've thought about it, and read reviews, considered the fresh water penalty (slight but detectable), I suspect the 11.5 is the pick of the litter for me right now. Your tease just adds to the mounting evidence...

Since we have had little wind the last 3 months, I have had a LOT of time SUP and sailing the sealion. It is a breed apart, but the one good wave you catch can make the balance battle worthwhile. Actually balance is only an issue in choppy water.
Speed is both this board's friend and enemy in Hawaiian surf. It goes so fast on a wave that it is tricky to turn hard on such a wide tail without slowing down first. I find NOT pushing it works well. I know Bruno's extra 10kg reduces this problem.
The last day I had it in double over head, but pretty mushy and it was crazy fun, it did not matter how flat the wave got, the board kept planning long like it had a motor. I think for California beach break this would be THE board to have too as it fits in steep waves, and if your not attempting round house cut backs, it can speed around any section.
For sailing, it likes smooth water for sure. You loose some foot grip friction from hanging onto the sail, so bumpy water and speed spell WIPE OUT. Again, turning at high speeds is tricky, but slow th board and it smooth and loose.
Just my 2 cents...

Well, I can't speak for any makers, but I don't think they mix very well.

When surf-sailing (gliding mode), I really do run all over the deck, so footstraps and centerboards would be in the way. Windsurfing, on the other hand, is better with footstraps because for me windsurfing is not about gliding it's about planing. I guess the Sea Lion is a crossover between the two, a planing design but without the straps. It says you can get the board with inserts, and it's really not very hard to install a set of inserts if you really want them.

Step tails try to do both, but most everyone who's ridden them (mostly Kona 11.5 / 10.5) rides them in the planing mode (and for sure that's what the promo shots show). So I haven't been able to get good feedback on the surf-sailing mode and if the footstraps are in the way (surely they are).

I've wondered about taking the straps on and off, but I don't have enough confidence in the durability of the inserts to do that. If there were plastic inserts with brass threading to take a machine screw, I would have more confidence to try taking the straps on and off depending upon the conditions of the day.

Hey Caleb, there's a new part for you to make, inserts with a brass core designed for machine screws!

"""I don't understand why a board that sails well in a range of conditions wouldn't have footstrap plugs.  I sail without straps most of the time - and love it/prefer it - but on a longer board, and even then, when the wind picks up above 20mph, I want the straps."""

The Sealion is made for 5 to 15 miles wind so no need for foot straps. 20 Miles is possible but pushing the envenlope.

"""Is this a cost issue, or an esthetics issue?  Whichever, it's an issue that keeps me from buying one (besides cost, and the fact that I have enough boards already, ugh - hoped the SeaLion might replace a few of them)."""""

In 5 to 15 miles wind you walk all over the board to surf so the foot straps are not needed and only in the way and clutter the deck. However we can add some at no coast if somebody wants...   

So far I have not seen a sailor really needing foot straps after sailing for a couple hours.

Jurg   

I like the key-pin idea. I think it would need to be hex-wrench or something, to minimize bulk on deck...

Bruno, I fancy the concept a lot, however I never get any waves with a lot of waves. I want a board for my kids to learn on and for me to plane in low wind (strapless) with the 7.0 SF. I actually thought this could board could be used. Silly idea probably. So, any suggestions?

Cool! Thanks for the answer!

Actually we use to do that a long time ago! (SAE 8-32)..... problem is most of the common machine screws a fairly fine thread - (8-32 or M5) prone to user error/cross threading & sand does not tend to play well with them either. The special M6 PT screws that cobra uses are actually very good screws for forming & re-forming threads in plastic. Ideally I think if you had a coarse m5 machine screw & a slightly harder grade of brass or even Ti insert .......

Must have been a LONG time! I can believe the issues you cite. Sand is the bane of windsurfing gear (except for my feet).

I have no problems with the current screws used in most brands, they work well except they are a lot of rotations and if one used them frequently the inserts would surely get chewed up rapidly.

I rather like the twist-lock / key-pin concept of nyocean's. It would be quick to use, and easier to clear of sand. But I'm sure it would add 4.09 grams to the board weight and thus be nixed...

Try these, they're very good and beautfifully made but you do need to be extra careful not to cross thread them plus the screws are fairly short so first install through a new deck pad can be a struggle.

Scroll down the list on the link below for threaded brass footstraps inserts by Northwest Surf Products

http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/Product … ilcom.html

Cool! It looks like the sailboard inserts are less robust than the kiteboard ones (i.e., smaller machine screws)? I would go with the heavier insert...don't you think?