One of the unique features of the Scubajet Motorized Attachment is that it is completely emission-free and eco-friendly. Along with its stackable battery system which allows for a longer run time, the Scubajet can motorize any paddle board. Wireless remotes power and control the Scubajet and can be worn around the wrist, for easy control. We bought all the best stand up paddle boards and tested them head-to-head to help you find the perfect new paddle board. We hope this has been a helpful and comprehensive comparison of the top products, whether you are searching for a budget model for a beginner or a top-tier product for a high-performance paddler.
The SUP’s mid-center cushioned handle is prime for single-person carry. And the two angled, cushioned handles toward the board’s nose are ergonomic for maneuvering the SUP — like pulling it onto a beach — and serve as extra strap-down points while paddling. The D-rings and handles are numerous and versatile, making strapping down gear and transport easy. Our tester used the Thrive ($995 and up) for an overnight canyon trip across mostly non-wake water. I’ve ridden on dozens of brands and styles of paddleboards over the years.
Table of Contents
What is a good weight for a paddleboard?
This battery is efficient and lightweight, ideal for traveling and portability. The Aqua Marina Bluedrive S also comes with a 3-button wireless remote, with a waterproof armband. Along with the remote, it comes with a safety coil leash, safety magnetic snap, and universal attachment bungee kit. A paddle board motor assists you when currents and winds kick up. An inflatable boat cleaner like this one is designed to remove any dirt, oxidation, and marks from a SUP or kayak .
I’ve got a river fin and grass fin, and I love the flexibility of being able to adapt my board to different waters. In terms of features, we love that this board has grab handles on the bow and rear. And while the bungee tiedown area is on the smaller side, there are plenty of other rigging points on the board.
What to Look for When Shopping for an Inflatable Paddle Board
So, it is an ideal choice for beginners because always go for the budget entry while trying something for the first time. Despite being the widest entry on this list, this iSUP only weighs 20 pounds, which is mind-boggling because we don’t know how the company has managed to manufacture this as a super-light SUP. So, if you’re worried about carrying this iSUP by looking at its dimensions, then don’t be because it feels super lightweight. Plus, the maximum weight capacity of this iSUP is around 330 pounds, but in our testing, we have observed that the actual capacity of this iSUP is more than 350 pounds. This paddleboard comes with an entry-level accessories pack , including a 9-inch detachable board fin, coiled ankle cuff safety leash and a manual air pump.
Hence, your experience level won’t be an issue while paddleboarding with this iSUP. The three fins of this iSUP provide more stability in heavy water and versatility in calmer water. Two of them are permanently attached to the board, whereas the larger one is removable. So, you can use the included hand-tightening screw to remove it. Another worth mentioning forte of this paddleboard is the 10 feet leash, which will come in handy to bounce back from the water in case you fall while paddleboarding.
The Ultimate Guide to Stand Up Paddle Boarding
This paddleboard by Gili is one of the toughest paddleboards because of its construction and material used to make it. Military-grade PVC material is used with a strong drop-stitch construction making it able to bounce back from the obstacles rather than getting damaged by hitting a rock or other board. Its weight adds into its quality and solidity being packed at 280 Lbs and 295 Lbs. Its tail is 20” wide and that’s a pretty high number but surprisingly enough, it still performs really well in terms of maneuverability.
But we have made a list of the factors that you can use as a template to choose the right paddle board for you. So, before discussing the entries on today’s list, keep the following things in mind. Comfort– Comfort is the other primary factor we took into consideration when evaluating all around stand up paddle board.
The Best Inflatable Paddle Board for Beginners
Inflatable paddle boards range in weight from around 15 pounds (the Pau Hana Solo Backcountry tips the scales at 14 lbs. 12.8 oz.) to 30+ for a high-volume model. In terms of packability, the most compact boards fit into a carry-on-sized pack, while others are so large that they need a roller bag to transport. A subsidiary of NRS, STAR is an inflatable-watercraft specialist with a large selection of high-quality kayaks, rafts, and paddle boards for everything from river running to flatwater. Their Photon is an 11-foot-6-inch, single-fin paddle board designed specifically for moving quickly and toting gear on longer expeditions.
Claiming the top spot in our maneuverability metric, the Surftech Catalyst’s exceptional agility made it stand apart from the rest of the group. It is supremely light on the water and receptive to both paddling and shifting your body weight to turn extremely quickly. This lets you easily avoid most obstacles even if you only see them at the last moment, where other boards would crash into them. This also means that the Catalyst doesn’t require a huge amount of space to turn, so you can execute a U-turn in relatively narrow channels and waterways.
Speed and Battery
If you don’t want to invest in a board just yet, consider renting one from a local shop. Renting is a great way to try out the sport and see if it’s something you enjoy before jumping in with both feet. The board resembles classic iSUP models and uses strong materials to maintain a rigid and sturdy shape once inflated. The Torque e-paddle iSUP holds an in-board jet drive system which is located in the centre of the board. The board comes with a remote control that fits over the paddle and controls the speed of the e-drive. The remote can be used to control the pump too, but a pretty straightforward app does a good job guiding newbies through the inflation process.
Calling all life’s adventurers… The 13’2” Voyager+ inflatable SUP was created with epic adventures in mind and is the board of choice of many extreme explorers around the world. High sides, large volume and narrower width make it a high-speed cruiser, designed for competent paddlers. It’s got a 6 point cargo tie-down system at the front and 4 point cargo tie-down system at the back for all your gear and an extra-grippy traction pad to help keep your kit in place at the rear. 5 embroidered carry handles on the board make portaging easy and comfortable while also being soft under foot.
The Loeva ‘Le StandUp’ Paddle Board Has a Durable Design
One key feature to point out that might take some getting used to is the absence of the handle in the center of the deck which is how most paddle boards are usually carried. Instead, the board comes with a shoulder strap that connects to the D-ring attachments on the rail of the board. Alternatively, if you have a second person, there are handles on the deck and tail of the board to allow you to easily carry it down to the water.
All the small details here really make such a big difference and go a long way showing the thought and care from behind the scenes. In regards to the graphic design, the Carbon Top graphics are true to Starboard’s blue branding and anyone that’s familiar with the brand will know it’s a Starboard from a mile away. The board itself comes with a bunch of added bells and whistles including an FCS deck plug towards the nose of the board for additional attachments like a GoPro mount, phone mount, GPS, etc.
Best Stand Up Paddle Board for Fishing
It’s a middle-of-the-pack-sized board with great versatility and a great price tag. Buyers GuidesCamping Gear Analysis Our team of experts is bringing you best camping gear analysis and buying guides. In our minds, the Sun Dolphin Seaquest 10 is easily the best board when it comes to durability.
Clear SUP transparent paddle board see through paddle board clear stand-up board
You can avoid obstacles easily enough on these boards if you see them early enough, and most don’t take a ton of room to complete a U-turn, with the exception of the Raven. It has a rather large turning radius, and you usually need to back-paddle and complete a three-point turn when trying to turn around this SUP in narrower areas. The Catalyst is an exceptionally easy to paddle and speedy board. These boards also have decent glide per paddle stroke once they are up to speed but are far inferior to the Catalyst when it comes to acceleration. You can buy two or three cheaper boards for the same cost as one Red Paddle Co model. But that’s the price of quality, and it’s priced about the same as other high-end rigid SUP models.