What’s better?
A 12’6″ or 14′ inflatable touring paddle board?
A 14′ inflatable paddle board will glide faster and more efficiently on flat water than a 12′ board. But it must be flat water with no wind.
When you introduce chop or wind then I favor a 12′ or 12’6″ inflatable over the 14 footer. Through experience I have found 14′ inflatables become difficult to handle in choppier and windy conditions.
Paddling unpredictable Lake Superior
I often encounter strong crosswinds.
So I favor a 12′ or 12’6″ board.
The longer water-line length of a 14′ inflatable loses it’s speed advantage in chop. The extra length can actually become cumbersome.
And when the wind picks up we have an even harder time with a 14 footer. Paddling in crosswinds the nose of the longer board will catch the wind. And you will struggle to stay on course. You definitely do not want to be out paddling a 14′ inflatable paddle board in strong crosswinds.
If you are paddling directly into the wind the 12′ and 14′ will be about equal. If you are paddling with the wind the 14 footer may be a bit faster. But with a crosswind the 14′ will be much harder to paddle in a straight line.
14′ iSUP boards are fast and fun in flat water.
But the water must be flat.
If you are stuck in strong crosswinds with a 14 footer you will make better progress paddling straight into the wind and using a zig zag pattern. Directly into the wind, then angling off back towards shore, than back into the wind… Repeating the zig-zag until you reach shore.
Summary
14′ inflatable paddle boards are faster in flat water than 12 footers. But the water must be flat with no wind. When the water gets choppy or the wind picks up a 14′ inflatable becomes hard to handle. For that reason if there is a chance I may encounter chop or wind I will paddle a 12’6″ paddle board.
I do own and use 14′ inflatable paddle boards. They are fast with nice easy glide on flat water. Gliding fast on flat water fitness session is great fun. I just make sure to check the weather and wind forecast before I go out paddling.
On multi-day sup camping trips I will always go with a 12′ or 12’6″.
iSUP = inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard
Read: Best inflatable touring paddle boards
Read: Why you may need a Touring paddle board
Read: Can you paddle board when it’s windy
Thanks for sharing your experience. Do you think the same rules apply for comparison between 12.5′ and 14′ composite boards?