How Much Weight can a Paddleboard Hold? [Paddleboard Weight Limit Guide]

How Much Weight can a Paddleboard Hold?

Paddle board weight limit (or weight capacity) is different for every paddle board. Every paddle board has a different volume (size) and amount of float.

It’s important that you use a paddle board that has enough float for your body-weight PLUS any extra cargo you may want to carry.

Riding above the weight limit will have a negative affect on paddleboard performance.

Why paddle board weight limit is important

If you don’t have enough float the paddle board will sit too deep in the water.

When a paddleboard sits too deep in the water it creates extra drag. Your paddle board will become hard to paddle. It will move slow and take a lot of work to get moving. The second you stop paddling you will slow down quickly.

Your paddle board will also feel unstable. It will be hard to keep your balance. That is why paddle boards for big guys are always high volume.

Too much weight for your paddle board and it will drag in the water, paddle hard, move slow and feel unstable

The correct paddleboard for your weight should glide through the water. You should be able to get the board moving quickly with a few strokes. And when moving it should g-l-i-d-e easily through the water. If not, something is wrong.

Types of High-Volume Paddle Boards

• Touring sup boards
• Fishing sup boards
• Some large All-Around Cruiser boards

Touring Paddle Boards – your ticket to lots of float

If you’re looking for a paddle board with a lot of weight capacity I suggest you look at touring paddle boards. Touring boards always have a high paddle board weight limit or capacity. Touring SUPs are designed to carry overnight camping gear. And since they are made for long distance paddling they glide easy, fast and smooth.

And touring paddle boards are stable enough for a beginner. They can be used for camping, fishing or for just cruising around.

While you can find a large all around cruiser that floats a lot of weight it will not glide as easy as a touring paddle board.

Touring Paddle Boards

• Paddle easy
• Glide well
• Have plenty of float
• Are relatively fast
• And most are stable

Read: Best touring paddle boards.

Read: Why you may need a touring paddle board.

Higher Volume “All-Arounders”

Atoll 11′ Cruiser Deluxe

Weight Capacity 400lbs+

Out of Huntington Beach California (Surf City USA) comes Atoll Board Co. If you live in Southern California you have likely seen one of these paddle boards on the water. Atoll manufactures their own boards and sells directly to the consumer keeping the price reasonable. Read my full review of the Atoll here.

Reasonable Price

Right now Atoll makes only one paddle board in three colors. So their focus has always been on making that one quality board.

The Atoll is another very popular high volume iSUP. The Atoll Cruise Deluxe is a stable, lightweight board that glides smooth and easy. Some boards this stable may feel sluggish, but not the Atoll. This board paddles easy and tracks well.

Lightweight yet Strong

One thing you notice right away is that the Atoll is lightweight and easy to carry. Yet the pvc material has a thick rugged look and feel. In fact, Atoll has gone out of the way to design an iSUP that is built like a tank but very lightweight.

Versatile Performance

The Atoll performs exactly the way a good quality all around iSUP should perform. The boards is stable yet agile and maneuvers well for its 11′ length. While not the fastest board on the water it is relatively fast when compared to other all around inflatables. It tracks well in calm water as well as slight chop.

The accessories are decent. I like the dual action Bravo hand pump. Also I appreciate the 15 D-rings on the deck for tying down gear. This is a good stable paddle board for fishing.

iRocker All-Around 11′ SUP

Weight Capacity 435lbs

For a versatile all around paddle board that can carry plenty of weight the IRocker All-Around 11′ is a good choice. This is family friendly paddle board that everyone can enjoy. The iRocker is stable, glides easy, plus handles and maneuvers well. Read my full review of the iRocker All-Around here.

Family Friendly

It has a large deck for plenty of cargo including a kid or dog. iRocker added handles on the front of the board which is great if you’re taking a kid for a ride.

Large Deck

This is a stable board with 32″ of width, perfect for a beginner. The sporty profile, 11′ length and tri-fin setup provide easy glide and tracking. While this is not the fastest board on the water is has plenty of speed for the average paddler.

Durable

IRocker has given the All Around 11′ four layers of military grade pvc for durability and extra stiffness. Any extra rigidity will improve the overall performance of an inflatable SUP. I also like the soft deck pad on the All-Around 11′. It’s comfortable and provides plenty of grip.

Low Price

iRocker continues to make quality inflatable paddle boards at a low price point. The iRocker All-Around 11′ is a good value in a versatile paddle board that can be used for cruising, fishing, yoga and carrying a youngster or dog. You can see the current price on Amazon here.

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Thurso Surf Waterwalker

Weight Capacity 330lbs+

The Thurso Surf Waterwalker is a popular high volume board that has a lot to offer. The Waterwalker is stable but still maneuvers well and never feels sluggish. Not only is it a good all around performer it has a unique attractive wood grain look. Plus it has plenty of nice accessories. Read my full review of the Waterwalker here.

Versatile All Around Performance

The Waterwalker is a popular paddle board for good reason. It is a great all around paddle board. It feels stable and secure. Yet it paddles easy and never feels sluggish. It maneuvers well and handles choppy water fine. This board performs exactly how you expect a good all around SUP to perform.

Attractive Wood Grain PVC

The Waterwalker is a handsome paddle board. The top of the board has a wood-grain look to the pvc. I have only seen one other inflatable paddle board with this look. For me this is one of the better looking inflatables on the market.

Nice Accessory Package

If winning performance and good looks weren’t enough the Waterwalker comes with a nice accessory package. You get a paddle with a carbon shaft. A dual action hand pump. Three fins which are all removable. An ankle leash. A decent travel backpack. And the added bonus of a nice deck cooler that holds ten cans of your favorite beverage.

The Thurso Surf Waterwalker is a winner and a great choice for many paddlers. It has very good all around performance. A reasonable price. Looks good and has a nice accessory package. What’s not to like?