Boardworks Kraken Touring
- 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 stable, non-inflatable board to paddle mid-long range distances the the Kraken Touring paddle board from Boardworks is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the Tec-V (Thermal Epoxy Compression-Veneer) technology which is considerably durable and has its positives and negatives. Due to its width of 29.5 inches the board is pretty stable. Its construction is moderately heavy coming in at 2.73 lbs per foot weighing 34.09 lbs. Its shape makes the Kraken Touring an all-around touring board that can be used by just about anyone and is designed for recreational touring. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for mid-long-range distances between 3-10 miles. Retailing at $1,599 this board is among the high-tier price point but comes with the best that the brand has to offer.
First Impressions
On first impressions, the graphics and color are striking, the shape design is quite thoughtful and the construction appears as strong. The Kraken Touring has some gorgeous looks, coming with an exceptionally beautiful play on color and graphics which looks potent and yet with class. The shape design is unique for boards in these categories, offering features tailored primarily for recreation and the construction does appear to be robust as something that can handle constant but gentle use. This paddle board is difficult to carry because of its 34 lbs but is easier than it should be due to the use of the LiftSUP handle. The glide feels average which is expected since lightweight construction and speed-centric design are only marginally incorporated here. Once you put it all together, the Kraken Touring is a stable paddle board that most people should be able to easily stand on it and paddle away.
Benefits
-
Primary Use
Touring 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
AverageGlide 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
12'6" x 29.5" x 6.5"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
34.09 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
280 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
300 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/FCS TOURING Fin 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 |
|---|
Similar Products
SIC Bullet
$1,599
Pau Hana Endurance
$1,550
Bote Traveller
$1,799
Bark Expedition
$2,299
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.