If you’ve ever had a good time on a stand up paddleboard, odds are the thought of having one of your own has crossed your mind. And since it's paddleboard-buying season here in the Champlain Valley of Vermont, this is my advice, after nearly a decade of riding every style of stand up board there is, about what to ask yourself before buying a board.
1) HOW WILL I BE USING THE BOARD?
SUP began as a way to catch waves, but here in Vermont, most people think of it as a way to tour flatwater lakes and rivers. If you have visions of catching waves with your board, think surf-style shapes (shorter, wider boards with round noses). If you are into fitness, speed and covering a lot of miles on flatwater tours, think lake shapes (longer, narrow boards with pointed noses). There are also river specific boards for running whitewater, but that’s kind of a niche.
MY ADVICE: Surf-style boards are more affordable and more versatile. Unless you plan long flatwater tours or getting into racing, go with a surf-style shape.
1) HOW WILL I BE USING THE BOARD?
SUP began as a way to catch waves, but here in Vermont, most people think of it as a way to tour flatwater lakes and rivers. If you have visions of catching waves with your board, think surf-style shapes (shorter, wider boards with round noses). If you are into fitness, speed and covering a lot of miles on flatwater tours, think lake shapes (longer, narrow boards with pointed noses). There are also river specific boards for running whitewater, but that’s kind of a niche.
MY ADVICE: Surf-style boards are more affordable and more versatile. Unless you plan long flatwater tours or getting into racing, go with a surf-style shape.
2) IS IT FOR MULTIPLE PEOPLE, OR JUST ONE?
Consider the size of each potential rider if you are buying for a family or group. It’s always best to err on the side of a bigger board. Lighter people don’t sacrifice too much on a bigger board, but a small board is a non-starter for bigger people.
MY ADVICE: For riders weighing 120 pounds or less, look at 9-foot-6 to 10-foot boards. For riders between 120 and 175, look at 10-foot-6 to 11-foot boards. For riders between 175 and 225, look for 11-foot to 12-foot boards. For riders over 225, the width of the board will be the biggest stability factor. Look for an 11-12 foot board that is at least 33-35 inches wide.
3) HOW IMPORTANT TO ME IS THE WEIGHT OF THE BOARD?
The ideal board weight is between 25 and 35 pounds. Any board that weighs more than 35 pounds can get rather cumbersome on longer walks from your car to the beach. Also check out the type of handle or hand-hold the board has. Make sure it feels good in your hand. Even if you can’t demo the board on water, you’ll at least want to pick it up under arm before buying it.
MY ADVICE: Get a board that weighs less than 35 pounds that you can easily walk short distances with and hoist onto a car roof rack.
4) WHAT ABOUT INFLATABLES?
Inflatables have their place, but I don’t recommend them for a lake like Champlain or any water that ever gets choppy or wavy. They are OK for slow rivers or calm ponds. They are easy to deflate and travel with but take about 10 minutes to pump up. You sacrifice a lot in glide on an inflatable board, and they get bounced around in choppier water.
MY ADVICE: Stay away from inflatables unless you really can’t store or travel with a traditional board.
5) WHAT ABOUT DURABILITY?
The vast majority of paddleboards are made with a fiberglass/epoxy shell and a foam core. These can and do get dinged, but they are easily repaired. More durable plastic boards are heavy, and cheaper all-foam boards can get chunks ripped out of them with no good repair options.
MY ADVICE: Get a fiberglass/epoxy board, try not to ding it, and patch it quickly if you do.
6) SHOULD I CONSIDER A USED BOARD?
Used boards are hard to find, because most people who have bought a paddleboard have done so in the last five years and aren’t looking to give it up. If you do find yourself looking at a used board, there are a few things to check out.
Is it dinged up, and if so, are the dings repaired at least moderately well? If dings go unrepaired, water will get into the foam core. A tell tale sign of this is if the board feels heavier than it should for its size.
Also, check out the fin and finbox and make sure everything down there is in working order.
MY ADVICE: If you can find a used board that’s not excessively dinged up or waterlogged for under $500, jump on it.
