Aqua Marina Evolution
- Written by Staff
- Published in Reviews
- Comments::DISQUS_COMMENTS
Only best products in a given category receive “A” grade.
Overview:
Paddle Board Highlights
Who is it for?
If you’re looking for a SUP/kayak hybrid to paddle short distances then the Aqua Marina Evolution is worth a look. This product is unique in that it can be used as either a stand up paddle (SUP) board or a kayak and comes in the PVC drop stitch construction which is rather fragile and has its ups and downs. Due to its width of 41 inches when outfitted as a kayak the board is very stable however, when the board is used solely as a SUP its width of 26 inches make it very unstable. The Kayak setup has 2.83 lbs per foot (board is 11’2 when outfitted as a kayak) weighing 31.8 lbs. It’s shape makes the Evolution best for beginners as a Kayak and best for advanced paddlers as a SUP. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for short distance paddling around the beach and dock. Retailing at $599 the board is in the popular mid-tier market in terms of affordability and is a great price for a SUP/kayak hybrid.
First Impressions
On first impressions, the graphics and color are good, the shape design is quite thoughtful, and the construction strikes as fragile. The Evolution has some nice looks, coming with a mix of bright colors intended to be quite lively. The shape design is deliberate and thoughtful, carefully thought out to be used as either a SUP or kayak. The construction does appear to be fragile and over-inflation is easily possible so it’s prudent to keep an eye on the recommended .psi when inflating. This paddle board is difficult to carry when fully outfitted due to it weighing just over 30 lbs, however, when you’re using just the SUP, it’s very lightweight and easy to carry. The glide feels slow, which is expected since speed-centric design is not at all a focus. It worked best when suited as a kayak as it was very stable and fun to paddle around. The Evolution comes with 2-1 kayak paddle set, 3 fins (1 for the SUP and 2 for use on the kayak), 2 seats and a repair kit and pump. The Evolution comes in a very nice box equipped with a very simple duffle bag for the board when not inflated. And once you put it all together, the Evolution is great for family fun when used as a kayak and gives more of a challenge when used solely as a SUP.
Benefits
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Primary Use
Fishing UsePaddle Boards fall into two broad categories, All-Around and Specialty boards, with all-around designed primarily for recreation while speciality boards for top performance in specific disciplines
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Durability
StrongDurability is largely a result of the board construction and shape, with more durable boards typically carrying more materials (added layers, PVC, etc) and as such adding to the weight.
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Stability
Very StableStability is a product of construction and shape, where boards w/ 30”+ wide and 200+ liters in volume offer plenty of stability for your AVG adult while a board under 26” wide is a challenge.
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Glide
SlowGlide is a result of board shape and construction, w/ boards weighing under 30lbs and designed for racing offering best glide while recreational boards normally being on the slow side.
Learn more on the Aqua Marina website.
Features
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Dimensions
SUP 9'8 x 26" x 4"/Kayak 10'14 x 41" x 7.9"Industry standard in board dimensions reads: L (length, from nose to tail) x W (width, from rail to rail at midpoint length), and H (height, from top to bottom of board at midpoint length).
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Weight
31.8 lbsStandup paddle boards tend to fall into 4 different weight classes: extremely lightweight (under 20 lbs), lightweight (20-28 lbs), average weight (28-35 lbs), heavy (above 35 lbs).
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Volume
172 LVolume is a key metric to determine how much weight a board can carry. Boards w/ 200+ liters offer most floatation with boards under 150 liters typically for high-performance surf.
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Capacity
168 lbs / 265 lbsCapacity is the max cargo weight a stand up paddle board can carry, considering not only the paddler’s weight but whatever else the paddler may choose to carry alongside him/her.
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Add On's
2 Seats/ Hooks to Hold Paddle/ Front and Rear HandleAdd-on’s include bungee cords, a minimalist way to haul things; connexsup, which allows for all sorts of attachments, even fishing rods; and FCS II/Connect, for easy fin instal.
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Handle
StrapHandles directly affect carrying ease, with external grip handles (Liftsup & EZgrab) offering most comfort, Internal Ergo Grip the mid-tier comfort, and box handles as least comfortable.
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Holders
YesFishing rod holders and/or paddle holders can make paddling that much more pleasant, esp. when needing holders for the rod or having a safe place for the paddle during yoga.
Sizes Available
| Length | Width | Thickness | Volume |
|---|
| 9 Feet 8 Inches | 26 Inches | 4 Inches | 172 L |
| 10 Feet 14 Inches | 41 Inches | 7.8 Inches | n/a |
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For more detailed reviews and to look at similar models, visit Supconnect.com. If you like this review, give us the thumbs up. Don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments. And make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss the latest news and reviews from Supconnect.