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Stand Up Paddle Boarding is an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors and to spend time on the water.
It is great for your body and your mind and can be challenging or relaxing depending on where you choose to go.
When it comes to choosing a paddle board, there are so many different options available. Inflatable paddle boards are very popular as they are portable and easy to store.
One of the most highly rated inflatable paddle boards is the Funwater Tiki Cruiser Stand Up Paddle Board.
We have reviewed this board and weighed the pros and cons to help you decide whether it is the right product for you.
Product Information
This inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board is designed to be ideal for beginners whilst also being suitable for more advanced users.
It is very affordable which means it appeals to first time paddle boarders or casual/hobbyist paddle boarders.
First, let’s look at the dimensions of the board. Once fully inflated it measures 10 feet 6 inches in length and it is 33 inches wide.
The length is pretty standard for entry level paddle boards but the width is more generous than some, giving you more space on the deck and providing a greater surface area in contact with the water which will help you to maintain your balance.
As with most inflatable paddle boards, it is 6 inches thick. The thickness contributes to the weight capacity of the paddle board, which in this case is 330 pounds, although when tested this seemed a little optimistic.
260 pounds is a bit more of a realistic weight capacity.
Remember to take into account the weight of any gear and equipment you need to take with you when considering the weight capacity of a paddle board.
The next thing to look at is the construction. It is made from dual layer PVC which is very durable and resistant to tears and rips.
It is also surprisingly lightweight – the board weighs a mere 17.6 pounds which is much lighter than many other similar products.
This makes it much easier to carry in and out of the water. There is a useful carry handle in the center of the board which also acts as a grab handle to help you back up onto the board if you fall off.
The reason that Funwater is able to achieve such a lightweight product is because the two layers of PVC are quite thin, but to counteract this they have used resilient drop stitching which improves the overall strength and durability of the board.
The design of the board is very important. The first thing that is worth mentioning is the triple fin element.
A lot of inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards have one removable fin to help guide it through the water.
This one has one main removable fin plus two side fins. This dramatically improves the board’s ability to track through the water and remain stable.
The non-slip pad on the deck of the board is very reliable and helps you to keep your grip on the board.
The next design feature that we liked was the bungee cord storage area on the front section of the board.
You can’t store anything too heavy there or it will affect the balance of the board, but it is great for light personal items or for keeping the paddle safe when it is not in use.
The bungee cords are attached to the board with D rings which you can also use to attach items or accessories to.
The D ring on the tail of the board is ideal for attaching a safety leash to.
However, the tail of the board is very square which can sometimes affect the smoothness of your turns and directional changes in the water.
This board comes with some excellent additional items.
The hand pump is designed to be really easy to use with an ergonomic handle which is much more comfortable than a lot of other hand pumps.
The honeycomb structure on the bottom of the pump helps to keep the pump stable and gripped to the floor as you pump.
The stripy pattern helps your feet to grip the pump to keep it still. The board takes around 10 to 15 minutes to inflate and is even quicker to deflate, with high pressure inflation valves to make the whole process more efficient.
If you want to inflate the board even faster, you could consider upgrading to an electric pump. Once the board is deflated, it folds up neatly to fit into the storage carry bag that comes included.
This is ideal for transporting the paddle board and for storing it when it is not in use.
The backpack with the deflated paddle board and all of the additional items inside weighs only 25 pounds so is very easy to carry around, but the seams are not super strong so it is not ideal for taking on long hikes.
The board also comes with a small waterproof bag to keep personal items like your phone or your keys.
A safety coil ankle leash is included which you can attach to the D ring on the tail of the board.
This is very important as if you fall off the board it will not float away from you in the water.
The removable fins also come with the board, as well as a three piece adjustable aluminum paddle.
The paddle is fine for beginners, but you will want to consider upgrading this at some point to something a little more sturdy.
OUR TOP PICK
Table of Contents
Funwater Paddle Board
So what is this board suitable for? It is perfect for gentle paddle boarding on calm waters.
You can use it for a bit of fishing if you don’t have too much gear to take with you.
You can even use it for yoga on the water, which is what some people like to use their boards for.
What is it not ideal for? Paddle boarding on rough or choppy waters, or trying to build up speed or practice tricky maneuvers.
Pros
- This paddle board is very lightweight compared to similar products
- The triple fin set up makes it excellent and tracking through the water and gives you more directional control
- The board comes with useful additional items which will save you money as you won’t have to buy them separately
- The width of the board is better than some other similar products which gives you more space and better balance
Cons
- The weight capacity of 330 pounds is a little bit optimistic if you want a stable paddling experience
- The design of the board prioritizes stability over speed or maneuverability which means it is not ideal for experienced paddle boarders
- This board cannot handle rough or choppy waters, it needs to be used on calm water only
- The squared tail design can make turning feel a bit awkward and not very smooth
- The paddle that comes in included is not amazing quality and you will need to upgrade it at some point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Take A Dog On A Stand-Up Paddle Board?
Some people do take their dogs on a Stand Up Paddle Board.
However, you need to consider the weight capacity of the board – it needs to hold you, your equipment and personal items, and your dog.
This is easier with smaller dogs and with paddle boards that have a high weight capacity.
What Safety Equipment Do You Need For Stand-Up Paddle Boarding?
You need an ankle leash to stop you from getting separated from your board if you fall off. This product comes with one included.
You might also benefit from a life jacket or a PFD belt in case of an emergency.
If you fall off your board you could injure yourself which would impair your ability to swim or stay afloat.
If you are paddle boarding in rock areas then a helmet is recommended.
Summary
This is an ideal entry-level board that is very reasonably priced. It is perfect for casual use or for gentle paddle boarding on calm waters.
The accessories that come with the board are perfect for getting you started and if you are new to paddle boarding this should be all you need for the first summer.
If you are a more experienced or advanced paddle boarder then this board is probably not what you are looking for.
You will need something designed to build up speed which can change direction easily in the water – if you have more skill and experience then the design of the board will not need to be focused as heavily on stability.
The paddle that comes included is also not suitable for more advanced paddle boarding as it is not strong enough.
This product is good value for money if you are looking for your first board to get you started.
If you get really into paddle boarding then you will want to upgrade it when you become more experienced.
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