Boardworks Kraken
- 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 very stable, non-inflatable, all-around board to paddle mid-range distances then the Boardworks Kraken is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the EPX-Veneer construction which is durable having both positives and negatives. Due to it’s 33 inches in width the board is very stable. Its construction is moderately heavy coming in at 3.32 lbs per foot weighing 34.08 lbs. Its shape makes the Kraken an all-around board that can be used by all skill levels and is primarily designed for recreational paddling and/or paddle surfing. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for mid-range distance paddling between 3 - 5 miles max. Retailing at $1,299 the board is in the popular mid-tier market in terms of affordability.
First Impressions
On first impressions, the graphics and color are good, the shape design is quite average, and the construction strikes as durable. The Kraken has some nice looks coming with an interesting mix of colors and graphics making the board appear quite lively. The shape design is commonplace for boards in this category offering features tailored primarily for recreational paddling and the construction does appear durable as something that can withstand a lot of time on the water. This paddle board is difficult to carry weighing 34.08 lbs. However, the LiftSUP handle makes the board much easier to carry compared to boards with a standard ergonomic handle. When paddling, the glide feels average which is to be expected since lightweight construction and speed-centric design are minimally incorporated. So when you put it all together, the Kraken is an all-around board that paddlers of all skill levels should be able to stand on and paddle away with ease.
Benefits
-
Primary Use
All-Around 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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 Boardworks website.
Features
-
Dimensions
10'3" x 34" x 4.75"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).
-
Weight
34.08 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).
-
Volume
200 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
-
Capacity
260 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.
-
Add On's
Bungee/FCS II/Arch Bar/5 Fin Setup/2+1 Fin Set IncludedAdd-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.
-
Handle
LiftsupHandles 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.
-
Holders
NoFishing 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 3 Inches | 32 Inches | 4.25 Inches | 136 L |
| 9 Feet 9 Inches | 34 Inches | 4.5 Inches | 180 L |
| 10 Feet 3 Inches | 32 Inches | 4.75 Inches | 200 L |
| 11 Feet | 32 Inches | 4.75 Inches | 299 L |
Similar Products
SIC Maui Flow
$1,349
BOTE Flood Core
$1,499
NSP Cocomat Cruise
$1,399
Surftech Chameleon
$1,199
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.