Wide SUP Boards and Paddle Board Stability
How to Choose a Super Stable SUP
Super stable paddle boards are the beginners best friend. You will learn quicker on a stable paddle board. The less you have to mind your balance the more you can focus on basic paddling technique.
But stable paddle boards are not just for beginners. Fishing paddle boards are often the most stable boards made. Anglers want a stable platform to fish off. When landing that big bass you don’t want to think about keeping your balance.
Extra stable paddle boards are not just for beginners…
Yoga paddle boards are also very stable. Yoga paddle boards are wide but are typically not as long as fishing paddle boards. People who would consider a yoga paddle board tend to be athletic and are looking for a little challenge. Still yoga paddle boards are wider and built for stability when compared to all-around paddle boards.
Another stable paddle board is the whitewater river paddle board. These boards are designed specially for running white water rapids and stability is a priority.
Who else would want a very stable paddle board? Stable paddle boards have a lot of float. So big heavy paddlers will often go for a super stable board. You may also need extra float if you like to paddle with your 80lb Labrador. Or if you are into paddle board camping and like to take plenty of gear.
Extra wide paddle boards are favored by:
- Beginners
- Fisherman
- Yoga practitioners
- Whitewater river runners
- Big heavy paddlers
- Gear heavy paddlers
What make a paddle board stable?
1. More Width
Width is not the only factor in paddle board stability. But it is the most critical.
2. Overall Shape Outline
How wide is the board at the nose and tail? A pulled in tail will give you less stability when standing near the tail. And a pulled in nose will give you less stability when standing near the nose. A wider tail and nose will will give you more stability near the tail and nose.
3. Top Quality Inflatables Feel More Stable
In general top quality inflatable paddle boards are as or more stable than hard paddle boards. Cheap paddle boards however feel unstable due to lack of stiffness.
It’s important you inflate you iSUP to the maximum air pressure for stability.
Inflatable paddle boards tend to be more buoyant because the board thickness is consistent.
The thickness of the edges, nose and tail of an inflatable are as thick as the entire board. Whereas a hard paddle board will usually taper at the edges
4. Flat or Concave Bottom
The shape of a paddle boards bottom will greatly affect stability. Concave and flat bottom are the best for stability. Convex bottoms tip easier.
5. Volume & Thickness
More volume and thickness will add stability. But not near as much as width and shape.
6. Length
If two boards are both the same width but different lengths the longer board will feel more stable. Length increases volume and glide. Still, length is not as important as width, shape or thickness.
7. Fins
The fins of a paddle board give it side-to-side resistance to help prevent tipping. Center fins with a wider base that go deeper into the water provide more stability.
Read: SUP Fins for Stability
Is extra stability all that great? Negatives of a wide paddle board
If you are on the short side you may have trouble reaching over the side of a wide paddle board. If your paddle enters the water at an angle the board will not paddle in a straight line. For a smaller person a wide paddle board will not only be hard to paddle straight but will also be hard to maneuver. You can see this when a kid paddles an adult paddle board. Which is why that make smaller paddle boards for kids.
Wide paddle boards are never fast and often sluggish
Wide paddle boards are never fast. Wide paddle boards do not glide as easy as narrower paddle boards. This is why racing paddle boards are extremely narrow.
For most paddlers a moderate 30-32″ width is fine
You may quickly outgrow a wide paddle board. As a beginner you may love your wide paddle board. But once you get the basics down and are comfortable you may find that wide board to be sluggish with little glide. If you are using a wide paddle board as an all-around board you may not like it as you progress in your paddling ability.
An extra wide deck for fishing is not great for long distance paddling and speed. If you want some speed or plan to paddle long distance don’t buy a wide paddle board. There is always a certain amount of compromise between stability and glide. For most paddlers a moderate 30-32″ width is fine.
It comes down to your type of paddling…
While wide paddle boards are not fast you can still have a lot of fun on a super stable paddle board. It depends on your paddling activity.
A wide paddle board is not good for speed or long distance paddling. But it offers a stable platform for fishing, yoga, whitewater and gives more volume for passengers and heavy loads.
Wide paddle boards offer a stable platform for fishing, yoga, whitewater and can give more float for heavier loads.
Recommended Extra-Wide Paddle Boards
Starboard Whopper Zen
10′ x 35″ x 5.5″
Weight Capacity 255lbs
Great for Yoga, Pilates and Leisure Family Paddling
Starboard is a leading innovator in inflatable paddle boards. The Whopper Zen a wide stable all-around paddle board. There is a lot of width on the nose of the Whopper Z. This board is very stable when carrying extra gear or a passenger like a dog. The Whopper is ideal for fitness, yoga and all-around family cruising. And you can’t go wrong with the Starboard brand.
Red Paddle Co. Activ
10’8″ x 34″ x 5.9″
Weight capacity 265lbs
Great for Yoga, Pilates and Leisure Family Paddling
Red Paddle Co is one of the top quality inflatable paddle brands on the market. Red Paddle Co boards are known for durability. The Activ has an all-around profile with the weight evenly distributed on the nose and tail which enhances stability when paddling or doing yoga. The EVA deck mat covers the entire top of the board, another good feature for yoga. The Activ is ideal for fitness, yoga and would make a great family board. When you are buying Red Paddle Co you are getting the best.
Sea Eagle Fish SUP 126
12’6″ x 40 x 6″
Weight Capacity 500lbs !
Great for Fishing, Yoga and Slow Leisure Cruising
The Sea Eagle Fish SUP is a very wide 40 inches and arguably the most stable paddle board on this list. The 126 was designed specifically for fishing. It features a large, stable and buoyant platform. It has a wide swallowtail for a trolling motor. Most of the width is near the tail. This wide tail helps turning and maneuvering the 12 1/2 foot board into tight fishing spots. Maximum weight capacity is a whopping 500lbs. This is one great fishing paddle board and with the large deck would work well for yoga & pilates. Check out the innovative paddle board lineup at SeaEagle.com.
