Test Bench: What is the Best Inflatable Touring Board?

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FIND THE BEST TOURING STYLE PADDLE BOARD WITH OUR TEST

A collaboration between Carl Mantha and SUP Montreal,

Have you been thinking about investing in a Touring style inflatable SUP for a while now but don't know where to start? First, come see us at SUP Montreal, our expertise will help you find the board that suits you.

You can also read this review by Carl and Anny and then stop by the store. Our experienced testers each bring over a decade of Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) experience. Carl excels at analyzing gear, while Anny is a technical expert. Together, they offer rich and varied perspectives to help guide you in choosing your next SUP board.

For this test bench, Carl and Anny paddled with three boards from the renowned Starboard company: the IGO Deluxe 12'X33'', the Touring Deluxe SC 12'6''X30'' and the Touring Tikhine Wave Deluxe 12'6''X28''. The fourth board tested is from the NRS company, it is the brand new Clipper 12'6''X29'' model, here they are.

FOR FAST GLIDE AND HIGH RIGIDITY: STARBOARD TOURING DELUXE SC 12'6 X 30''

The Starboard Touring Deluxe is a 12'6'' long, 30" wide and 6" thick board designed for SUP touring enthusiasts. With its sturdy construction, this board is ideal for long tours on the water, offering reliable and durable performance.

Length and Performance

At 12'6" long, this board is designed to cover long distances efficiently. Its length promotes better glide, allowing you to maintain a constant speed with less effort, making extended outings more enjoyable.

Width and Stability

The 30-inch width offers a good compromise between stability and performance. Paddlers of all skill levels will find this board stable, even in moderate conditions. This extra width also allows for carrying gear for extended excursions.

Thickness and Rigidity

The 6-inch thickness ensures exceptional rigidity, essential for long touring sessions. This rigidity also allows it to support heavier loads without compromising buoyancy or stability.

Accessories

The Touring Deluxe 12'6" x 30" x 6" comes with a high quality carry backpack with wheels, ventilation to prevent moisture build-up, and plenty of room to store the board and accessories. It also includes a high pressure pump that allows for both easy inflation and deflation of the board. A tool-free fin screw is included for quick assembly and disassembly of the board.

Carl's Favorite

Carl preferred this board for its rigidity and exceptional glide quality. He appreciates the stability it offers, as well as its ability to maintain consistent performance on the water, ideal for his long SUP outings.

Construction and Sustainability

Starboard's Deluxe construction is the most robust in the range, using advanced materials for maximum durability. The single air chamber simplifies inflation and deflation, allowing you to spend more time on the water and less time on maintenance.

Conclusion

The Starboard Touring Deluxe 12'6" x 30" x 6" is a board of choice for the SUP touring enthusiast or speed enthusiast. Its combination of length, width and thickness provides optimal performance for long distances while ensuring sufficient stability and rigidity to carry gear. Whether you are an experienced paddler or a novice, this board is a great companion for exploring the waters.

FOR FAMILY FUN: STARBOARD IGO SC DELUXE 12' X 33'''

The Starboard IGO 12' Deluxe is a hybrid board that combines touring and all-around characteristics, designed to provide a versatile experience on the water. With its generous dimensions of 12 feet long, 33 inches wide and 6 inches thick, this board is ideal for families and paddlers looking for stability and ease of use.

Versatility and Design

Its 12-foot length provides good directional stability and is ideal for paddlers of all skill levels. The 33-inch width provides a stable platform, allowing beginners to feel confident and families to paddle together comfortably.

Stability and User-friendliness

This board is remarkably stable on the water, even in choppy conditions. This makes it an ideal choice for family outings where safety and peace of mind are essential. The Starboard IGO 12' Deluxe provides a solid platform that inspires confidence in all paddlers. Plus, Carl and Anny are confident that you can lend this board to any guest at the cottage without worry.

Sensations and Performances

While the Starboard IGO 12' Deluxe may not have the same glide performance as touring boards, it makes up for it in smooth ride and ease of use. This board is perfect for casual cruising, coastal exploration and on-water fitness sessions.

Accessories

The Starboard IGO 12' Deluxe comes with a high-quality carry backpack, equipped with wheels for easy transport, as well as a high-pressure pump for quick inflation. A removable fin is included for easy storage and transport of the board.

Conclusion

The Starboard IGO 12' Deluxe is a great option for paddlers looking for a versatile and stable board, ideal for family activities and recreational outings on the water. With its generous dimensions and robust design, it offers a safe and comfortable platform to fully enjoy the pleasures of Stand-Up Paddle, whatever your level of experience.

FOR VERSATILITY: NRS CLIPPER 12'6 X 29''

The NRS Clipper Series is a versatile line of stand-up paddle boards designed to deliver performance and reliability in a variety of water conditions. Available in multiple sizes and widths, each model in the Clipper Series is equipped with advanced features to meet the specific needs of paddlers.

Main Features

NRS Clipper boards are built with cutting-edge technology, including a 3-chamber construction that can inflate up to 20 psi of pressure. This ensures maximum rigidity and exceptional stability, even in rough waters. The 3 air chambers also add safety.

Design and Performance

Each Clipper Series model features a V-shaped underside and a nose and tail curvature, improving maneuverability and directional stability. These features allow users to pivot easily while maintaining a precise course, ideal for navigating a variety of boating conditions.

Versatility and Options

Carl and Anny particularly appreciated the versatility and great stability of the NRS Clipper boards. Available in different lengths and widths, these models adapt to the paddlers’ individual preferences. Whether you are looking for a narrower board for better glide performance or a wider board for increased stability, there is a Clipper option that meets your specific needs.

Quality Accessories

Each board comes with a sturdy travel backpack, designed to make it easy to transport and protect the board when traveling. A high-performance pump is also included, allowing for quick and efficient inflation so you can spend more time on the water and less time preparing your equipment.

Fins and Additional Options

In addition to the standard deep water fin, the NRS Clipper is equipped with an additional shallow water fin. This flexibility allows riders to adapt their board to the specific conditions encountered during their adventures.

Reliability and Warranty

With a 3-year warranty, NRS stands by its commitment to product quality and durability. Each Clipper Series board is designed to provide years of fun on the water, whether you're cruising, cruising, or exploring the coast.

Conclusion

The NRS Clipper Series is an exceptional choice for paddlers looking for a versatile, high-performance board. With a variety of sizes, widths and fin options, each model is designed to meet the specific needs of the rider while providing superior build quality and a rewarding stand-up paddle experience.

FOR ARTISTIC CHOICE AND COMFORT ON THE WATER: STARBOARD TOURING TIKHINE WAVE DELUXE SC 12'6 X 28''

Note: This board is 2023 and is no longer available but will return in 2025 with a new look.

The Starboard Touring Deluxe Wave Tikhine is a 12'6'' long, 28" wide and 4.75" thick board, ideal for SUP touring enthusiasts looking for performance and style. The Wave Tikhine artistic design adds a touch of elegance to this performance board.

Length and Performance

At 12'6" long, the Touring Deluxe Wave Tikhine is perfect for long tours, offering efficient glide and increased speed. This length allows you to cover great distances with less effort.

Width and Maneuverability

The 28-inch width offers a sleek silhouette, optimizing speed and responsiveness. This reduced width allows for better glide, ideal for navigating in varied environments. In addition, this board will appeal to smaller paddlers, offering them a better connection with the water.

Accessories

The Touring Deluxe Wave Tikhine 12'6" x 28" x 4.75" comes with a high-quality carrying backpack with wheels, ventilation to prevent moisture build-up, and plenty of space to store the board and accessories. It also includes a high-pressure pump that allows for both easy inflation and deflation of the board. A tool-free fin screw is included for quick assembly and disassembly of the board.

Anny's favorite

Anny, who is smaller, preferred this board which is less thick, for the fluidity of the paddle stroke it offers. She appreciates the feeling of the water provided by the lower center of gravity of this board, which improves her control and maneuverability on the water.

Construction and Aesthetics

The Wave Tikhine model stands out with its unique artistic design. Starboard's Deluxe construction ensures strength and durability, using high-quality materials for long-lasting performance. The single air chamber makes inflation and deflation easy, allowing for more time on the water.

Conclusion

The Starboard Touring Deluxe Wave Tikhine 12'6" x 28" x 4.75" is an ideal board for SUP touring enthusiasts looking to combine performance and aesthetics. Its length offers excellent glide, its narrower width improves maneuverability, and its thickness ensures optimal rigidity with a low center of gravity. Smaller paddlers will particularly appreciate the maneuverability and stability offered by this board, in addition to its elegant design.

Board thickness, important or not?

Boards can vary in thickness but what are the impacts of this thickness?

When you stand on a 4.75-inch thick paddleboard, your center of gravity is lower because you are closer to the water. This can increase your stability because the point around which you can rock (your center of gravity) is lower. Even though the board is more flexible and less rigid, having a low center of gravity helps maintain balance.

On the other hand, with a 6-inch thick board, your center of gravity is higher because you're farther away from the water. While the board is stiffer and offers more buoyancy, this higher center of gravity can make the board more susceptible to movement and tipping. It's kind of like standing on a raised platform: Even if it's sturdy, the extra height makes it more likely to get unbalanced.

In summary, a thicker board (6 inches) offers better stiffness and buoyancy, but at the cost of a higher center of gravity, which can decrease overall stability compared to a thinner board (4.75 inches). It's a trade-off between stiffness and stability related to height.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced paddler, the boards reviewed offer a diverse range of options to suit different needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize stability, glide, or maneuverability, each model has unique features that can transform your stand-up paddleboarding experience. Be sure to consult with the specialists in store for personalized advice and find the board that best fits your style and ambitions on the water.