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Choosing Between a Fiberglass and an Inflatable SUP

By Debbie Maines


If you want to start paddleboarding, you have probably explored buying gear. Having your very own board can be costly to purchase, but will end up costing less in the end due to the fact that you can avoid high gear rental charges.

There are a variety of various paddleboard designs you can get, one of which is inflatable. Boards that are inflated have several advantages, but there are a couple of disadvantages. These kinds of boards are created with a specific individual in mind who will appreciate the advantages and not care about the downsides. Let's have a look at their differences.

Ease in Transporting Them

Inflatable SUPs can be deflated and transported in a medium sized bag. This means that sports enthusiasts don't need to load a huge board on the top of their cars. They can also be transported on planes without requiring a significant fee typically charged for large luggage.

Since they can be rolled up into a smaller, more compact size, these boards can be easily locked in a vehicle, transported on one's back and stowed without taking up much area. Typical fiberglass boards do not provide these advantages. However, people who have a roof rack on their car, sufficient storage area and no need to lock their equipment while transporting them, this might not be an issue.

Time Required to Inflate the Board

Inflatable boards usually require a manual hand pump to be inflated. This can take between 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the power of the individual doing the inflating. Pumping air into a paddleboard takes work, and for some petite ladies, it can be a chore. Regular boards naturally do not require this extra work, and some people like the convenience of not having to continually pump up and deflate their gear.

Maneuverability

The firmness of inflatable boards differs. In general, the less expensive boards have a lower psi inflation, and as a result are less firm. This means that they tend to bounce more in choppy water or waves. For beginners, this can feel more unsteady. For people paddling on lakes or various other flat water locations, they might not be able to tell a difference and therefore not care.

Typical boards can offer a more easy trip and greater maneuverability. Paddlers desiring a fast board that is simpler to turn and move around (ie those who want to race or do regular workouts) are more likely to choose a fiberglass board rather than the inflatable type, which are more designed towards the recreational paddler or somebody interested in yoga paddleboarding.

From my experience and research, inflatable paddleboards do not leak air very often. That said, a lot of models come with a patch kit just in case. These boards appear and feel like a fiberglass board to people not familiar with the various styles of boards, and a lot of first-time purchasers are more than satisfied at their performance.

When buying, it is wise to compare the attributes of different equipment in addition to costs, so you can get an SUP that you will be happy with.




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