cheap inflatable paddle board... are they rubbish?

Firefly625

Firefly625

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Just looking at inflatable paddle boards. Done this a few years running when holiday coming up. Just ditched the inflatable kayak but have always thought I fancy one of these, which will probably mean I will use it twice...

So because of which I don't want to spend circa £800 quid on obviously a good one. Just would be throwing money down the toilet... but prices have crept down a bit from 12 months ago when I last looked and I am thinking £250'ish might get me something OK?

I'm no lightweight.. just north of 90kg when I last looked, I am wanting all the stability I can get, in the eyes of any experts out there would one of these OK?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322511519605

or

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362087466974?var=631309524536

or should just forget it...
 
Cant comment on those ones on ebay, but the ones decathlon sell are fine, but they are around £400.

I bought one last year for messing around on, im sure its nowhere near as good as the 1k boards, but its fine for me.

In any given bay in mallorca The decathlon ones outnumber any other brand two to one.

You need to get the correct size for your weight too,or you will struggle to stay upright. AT your weight you should go for the largest decathlon board:-

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/inflatable-107-sup-2017-blue-id_8387659.html

edit : just noticed that the decathlon boards are now down to £300, I'd get one of those versus an unknown ebay board

edit again: Having said all that, the aqua marina vapour board in one of your ebay links does seem to get a decent review, so maybe its worth a punt

https://www.inflatableboarder.com/aqua-marina-vapor-review/
 
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I’ve just watched the lovely “life style” video and was interested that they missed out probably the most important part, how you get on.

I was recently watching a wetsuit challenging :D man who fell off with a massive splash and was having SERIOUS problems getting back on.

He was in the water on the port side and every time he managed to reach over towards starboard the board threatened to pull over on top of him.

I was perhaps a minute from taking the rib over to him when like a very large seal he managed to scramble aboard.

OK, perhaps just one bad example but I was worried.
 
Theyre very easy to get back on to if you fall off imo.

I guess if you were really really out of shape/ restricted mobility you might struggle, but in that case you probably shouldnt be attempting to paddleboard anyway.
 
thanks for your replies, really good info there.

The decathlon one probably the sensible choice there.

If I struggle to get back on it then expect to see it in the for sale section shortly, so someone may get a bargain!
 
We have just bought the Two Bare Feet Entradia XL as a first board, a bit over £300. It was the cheapest 'recognised' brand at the time
Have tried it twice and at just under 100kg and 6ft 4in (me, not the board) have found it fine for what we want.
Quality looks good but early days yet.
Its a bloody work out thats for sure but getting easier!!!!!
......and if anything like me, you will soon be buying a high pressure electric pump to inflate it because it is very hard work!!!!
 
dpb said:
We have just bought the Two Bare Feet Entradia XL as a first board, a bit over £300. It was the cheapest 'recognised' brand at the time
Have tried it twice and at just under 100kg and 6ft 4in (me, not the board) have found it fine for what we want.
Quality looks good but early days yet.
Its a bloody work out thats for sure but getting easier!!!!!
......and if anything like me, you will soon be buying a high pressure electric pump to inflate it because it is very hard work!!!!
Click to expand...
+1 for the 2 Bare Feet Board. I am 90kg as well James, and no problem with buoyancy. Hardest thing is inflating. It needs about 15psi and a lot of air. Takes about 15 mins to inflate. Great fun though. Have had a few forays up the river at Yarmouth. Really nice and peaceful on the board.
 
The advantage of decathlon is that you can have a look at the models -just be aware though that when I last looked the local store was missing the middle sized model so if you are making your way along might be worth checking they have relevant size in stock at your local branch.
 
Those decathlon ones seem ok , can,t see the Vol stat .
Go for the largest vol in L 230-240 ish - it’s easier .
Also the more fins at the back the easier to track and they add lateral stability.
Mines got 3 fins , but it’s 205 L and 10 ft so a bit lively.
How ever it sits on top of the tender when we are on the boat .
Think about where to store it - it too much of a fag deflating / inflating every time / day etc

https://imgur.com/a/Rj1jqFj
 
Just back from a week sailing in the Ionian and hired an inflatable paddle board for the duration. Never tried one before so I was a complete novice. Board was, I suspect, too small for me as I am 6’5” and north of 100kg but I managed to get around several harbours/anchorages but it was very, very wobbly and I went in several times. I am thinking a proper sized board will be better. Still found it relatively easy to get back on after a dunking :)

Point is, as already advised, I think getting one the right size for you is important.
 
thanks again for contributions. What I have learned is regardless of what adverts say on weight I now believe a 6" thickness board is what I need, will give a more buoyant board than similar size board with only 4" thickness. And indeed the pumping up bit sounds a workout!

Paul, thanks for the offer but I have now been contacted by another friend who saw my post who has a paddle board for me to try...


the other thing I was considering, or weighing up between getting a paddle board was a pair of sit on kayaks. I could fit a pair on my wheelhouse roof... don't need inflating. again just appeals... think I am turning into Bear Grills (dream on.....)

something like these..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sit-on-K...813219?hash=item2cd678f8a3:g:aTEAAOSwKFpa8WGT

s-l1600.jpg


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sit-on-T...hash=item1ee13aca2a:m:mWqxz9HzhWOCF64GdCjiZLA

think I am swaying towards a paddle board... but these do appeal
 
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Cant comment on the type of paddle board to buy as I have a Red Paddle Co board which are at the higher cost end. However I will say you won't regret getting a paddle board. They are great exercise but equally relaxing if you want to use them to chill. Last weekend I paddled against the tide in Newtown up to Shalfleet Quay for a bit of exercise and then laid on the board and let the tide take me back to the boat in the searing sun. Bliss!!!
 
jcwads said:
Cant comment on the type of paddle board to buy as I have a Red Paddle Co board which are at the higher cost end. However I will say you won't regret getting a paddle board. They are great exercise but equally relaxing if you want to use them to chill. Last weekend I paddled against the tide in Newtown up to Shalfleet Quay for a bit of exercise and then laid on the board and let the tide take me back to the boat in the searing sun. Bliss!!!
Click to expand...

that sounds what I want :encouragement:
 
You can get paddleboards with fixings for a kayak seat, so you can use it for both. This link is only to show what I mean, I don't know this particular brand so i'm not recommending them. https://bluefinsupboards.com/product/paddle-board-12-stand-up-paddle-board-package/

For cruising on a paddleboard, look for a longer board with the fin as far aft as possible, one big fin is better than 3 smaller ones (the 3 fins are for wave surfing). This will allow you to take more strokes per side before having to swap, which will maintain your speed.
 
+1 for Two Bare Feet.

They have many models depending on user's weight, intended use, etc. We bought a second one, cost very reasonable. Good specials.
 
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