Selecting a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP)

Factors That Affect Performance and Handling

Hard vs Inflatable - When buying a SUP, people frequently ask whether they should buy an inflatable or rigid board. Both types have pros and cons.

> Inflatables are the first choice for many paddlers. They are easy to store and transport. They don’t hurt when and if you fall on them, and they don’t easily damage. For that reason, whitewater SUPs are primarily inflatable. They are less expensive than hard boards so are an entry pointy for people just getting into the sport.

> Hard/rigid boards are made of fiberglass over a foam core. They are more susceptible to dings and damage than inflatables. These boards are generally more stable than inflatable SUPs and handle better in waves and choppy conditions. Further, they are less susceptible to being pushed around by wind. Thick inflatable SUPs can be difficult to handle in windy conditions. See Weight and Construction below.

Planing vs Displacement Hull - Boards with planning hulls have rounded noses and are flat and wide. SUP surf boards have planning hulls so they can ride over the water. Boards with displacement hulls have pointy noses and ride through the water, more like a kayak. Racing and touring boards have displacement hulls because they are more efficient. The hulls have a short semi-v entry.

Length - Generally, the longer the boat, the faster it will travel through the water. However, the longer the boat, the less maneuverable it will be.

Beam - The wider the boat, the more stable it will be. However, the wider the boat the slower it will be, and require more effort to paddle.

Rocker - This is the amount of curvature that you can see if you view the bottom of the boat from the side, like the rail of a rocking chair. The more rocker means better turning ability. However, the more rocker the boat has, the less straight line tracking ability it has.

Stability - See Beam above

Thickness/Volume - Your choice of boards depends on your size and weight. Paddling a too small paddleboard will not be fun. Paddling magazines have helpful charts for choosing the right size and volume for your size, ability, and type of paddling. Many paddling stores have demos and “try before you buy” options, and these stores can help you find the right thickness/volume board for you. inflatables should not be any thicker than is needed for the weight it will be carrying.

Fins - Fins provide tracking and stability to a board. Generally, larger fins with wider bases and longer front edges will track straighter and provide more stability. Smaller fins tend to provide better maneuverability. Most fins are removable, some require a special tool.

Some common SUP fin types are:

>Single fin: Many SUPs include a single fin placed in a fin box and secured with a nut and screw. The fin box has a channel for the fin to slide back and forth in. The single fin provides good tracking and minimal drag, making it a good choice for flatwater paddling.

>3-fin setup: Also called a thruster, this setup promotes straight tracking on flatwater and offers good control in surf. All three fins are usually about the same size.

>2+1 setup: This configuration includes a larger center fin with a smaller fin on each side of it with the smaller fins slightly behind and to the sides of the larger fin. This is a common setup on Surfing SUPs.

> Quad fins: Quad fins are 4 fins total, with a large and small fin mounted along the rail on both sides of the tail. These help the board track better in the waves.

>Fins for inflatable SUPs: Inflatable SUPs can have any of the fin configurations above. What sets them apart is that they feature either flexible rubber fins or detachable semi-rigid fins that are attached to the board.

Weight and Construction – Weight not only affects the handling of your SUP, but also affects your ability to load and unload your board to and from your vehicle, as well as carrying it to and from the water. As loading and unloading becomes more difficult, you will likely find that you use your SUP less and less.

>Inflatables - Are the first choice for many paddlers. They are easy to store and transport. They don’t hurt when and if you fall on them, and they don’t easily damage. For that reason, whitewater SUPs are primarily inflatable. They are less expensive than hard boards so are an entry point for people just getting into the sport. They generally come with an inflating pump.

>Wood - Most wood kayaks are made of either Paulonia wood or bamboo, which have a high strength to weight ratio. They can be made in any shape or design, and are similar in weight to fiberglass and epoxy over EPS foam boards. The boards usually have a fiberglass and epoxy finish. There are wood SUP companies that specialize in custom boards, as well as kit boards.

>Plastics - Boats made of polyethylene plastic or other “soft” plastics are manufactured by roto-molding. They are abundant, least expensive, most durable and most impact resistant of SUP construction materials. Unfortunately, they are usually the heaviest, and not found in the performance models.

>Fiberglass and epoxy over EPS foam - This is probably the most common type of SUP construction, and most commonly found in performance models.

>Soft Tops - Soft tops are made from an EPS core foam that’s cut into stand up paddle board shape. Higher-end soft tops have one or numerous layers of fiberglass wrapped around the EPS core. This extra layer makes the board stiffer and easier to maneuver during activities like surfing. They are the one of the heaviest of boards, but they are also one of the more affordable. They are great for kids, pets, and beginners alike.

>Composites - This includes Kevlar, and carbon fiber. These materials make the boats stiffer, much lighter and cost considerably more than plastic SUPs, and are usually found on higher end touring and racing SUPs.