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-   -   Paddleboard Recommendations Wanted (https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30463)

thinkxingu 03-11-2026 01:01 PM

Paddleboard Recommendations Wanted
 
Hi.

My daughter is nudging me to get "the family" (read: her) a paddleboard.

Does anyone have suggestions on inexpensive inflatables that work well?

Also interested in a good used deal and/or someone gifting me one. [emoji2]

Thanks!

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WinnisquamZ 03-11-2026 01:19 PM

Costco or BJs usually has good deals and a decent product


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ishoot308 03-11-2026 01:51 PM

BoTe
 
I believe Sam's Club is selling the BoTe board (rigid inflatable) which are really nice. They were there last time I was about two weeks ago...

Dan

BillTex 03-11-2026 02:41 PM

DW has an inflatable sold through LL Bean, dont remember the brand. It is ok…the rigid boards are better in our experience.
Be sure to get one with a good, wide beam whichever route you go.

fatlazyless 03-11-2026 05:52 PM

Inflatable sup's are designed to be inflated to 15-psi for optimal paddling and it is very difficult and time consuming to do this because they always leak air.

A 10'6" x 32" rigid, (not inflatable) board weighing about 25-lbs is the most common size for adult women. And a 11'6" x 32" rigid sup is most common size for adult men weighing 200-lbs.

Suggest you look at all the used sup's for sale in Craigslist sports and Facebook market.

If you can find one made by Bic at a decent price, the Bic hold's its value and can be resold because they are very sturdy and well made and have a reputation for quality and strength. Bic is same Bic company that makes pens and lighters and sailboards.

Winilyme 03-11-2026 06:25 PM

You’re (she is) gonna want two. A lot more fun going out with another person.

thinkxingu 03-11-2026 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winilyme (Post 406216)
You’re (she is) gonna want two. A lot more fun going out with another person.

She has a friend with one, which is why she wants her own.

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thinkxingu 03-11-2026 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308 (Post 406212)
I believe Sam's Club is selling the BoTe board (rigid inflatable) which are really nice. They were there last time I was about two weeks ago...

Dan

Is this a decent kit? https://www.samsclub.com/ip/BOTE-Bac...11/18170656914

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BillTex 03-11-2026 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless (Post 406215)
Inflatable sup's are designed to be inflated to 15-psi for optimal paddling and it is very difficult and time consuming to do this because they always leak air.

A 10'6" x 32" rigid, (not inflatable) board weighing about 25-lbs is the most common size for adult women. And a 11'6" x 32" rigid sup is most common size for adult men weighing 200-lbs.

Suggest you look at all the used sup's for sale in Craigslist sports and Facebook market.

If you can find one made by Bic at a decent price, the Bic hold's its value and can be resold because they are very sturdy and well made and have a reputation for quality and strength. Bic is same Bic company that makes pens and lighters and sailboards.

I purchased a little gadget to fit my Dewalt compressor. No more pumping by hand! Just set the psi and let ‘er rip.

Roy_Hobbs 03-11-2026 10:02 PM

I’ve had a great experience with Tower boards. I have two, one of which is [emoji637][emoji637] years old and going strong despite the fact that it’s in direct sun all summer
(Which isn’t recommended). Buoyant and can take a beating.

https://www.towerpaddleboards.com/co...ddle-boards-s-[emoji638][emoji640]-htm


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ishoot308 03-11-2026 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu (Post 406219)
Is this a decent kit? https://www.samsclub.com/ip/BOTE-Bac...11/18170656914

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I have heard nothing but good about Bote boards… that is an excellent price for what you get…

Dan

fatlazyless 03-12-2026 05:33 AM

Inflatables usually weigh 20-lbs which is much less than a 30-lb or heavier rigid and usually have a depressed handle grip in the center. Is also easier to transport an inflatable inside a motor boat because there's not so much concern to secure it in the boat while the motor boat is going 30-40-mph.

A rigid sup is easier to paddle than inflatable, and goes further with each paddle. Inflating to 15-psi with a hand pump is a major effort, and then the air will very slowly leak out at the seams or somewhere.

The sturdy polyethelene hollow air-filled boards sold at Walmart for $200-$400 are very sturdy but also very heavy, like 60-lbs for a 10'6" and 50-60-lbs is way heavier than 20-lb inflatable or a 30-lb rigid.

The Piche's Ski & Sports Outlet store, Rt 3, Belmont is an excellent store for window shopping different sup's. For very high quality rigid boards, Parafunalia in Gilford is excellent, too. Squam Boat Livery in Holderness and Plymouth Ski & Sports in Plymouth both have serious good quality boards. Dive Winnipesaukee, Wolfeboro has a dock on Wolfeboro Bay, out back, and rents and sells boards and used rentals. Wild Meadow Kayak, Center Harbor/Moultonborough line has a beach on Winnipesaukee out behind the store, there, with rentals and sales.

There is no place to buy or rent a sup at Weirs Beach and the beach there has a sup area put-in zone to the left of the swim line, down the steep embankment below the boardwalk. Roof-topping a sup down the steps to Weirs Beach from a parking spot on Lakeside Ave is very doable down the staircase and costs nothing. You must pay to park on nearby Lakeside Ave if you can find an open space.

Ellacoya State Beach, Gilford has a designated sup area launch zone to the left of the swim line. Admission and parking is something like $5/person and free for age-65 with NH id.

SAB1 03-12-2026 07:38 AM

We have a pair of iRocker inflatables. They are 5 or 6 years old. I pump them up in May with just a touch of air and that’s the only time I put air in them all season. They are stored in the basement each winter and stay inflated. They stay out on the canoe rack all summer. I’ve used both inflatables and the hard boards. The inflatables we have are far more stable.

ishoot308 03-12-2026 08:13 AM

Bote
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu (Post 406219)
Is this a decent kit? https://www.samsclub.com/ip/BOTE-Bac...11/18170656914

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Here it is a very similar one (less magnetic drink holder) at West Marine for twice the price of Sam's! Like I said that's a great price and I would jump on it!!

https://www.westmarine.com/bote-bree...iABEgIFEfD_BwE

Dan

Biggd 03-12-2026 08:27 AM

I have a rigid board, if I had to buy again, I'd buy an inflatable.
The rigid board is very heavy, although that probably makes it more stable.

thinkxingu 03-12-2026 02:22 PM

Thanks for all the thoughts, y'all—I've placed an order for the Sam's one for pickup with my daughter tomorrow. She's very excited.

I'm still open to grabbing a second if anyone happens along this post and has a great deal on one!

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ishoot308 03-12-2026 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu (Post 406241)
Thanks for all the thoughts, y'all—I've placed an order for the Sam's one for pickup with my daughter tomorrow. She's very excited.

I'm still open to grabbing a second if anyone happens along this post and has a great deal on one!

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I think you will be impressed with the quality of the Bote board! I have a number of Bote products at my camp (rafts, float tubes, etc.) that have held up very well! The supplied pump while manual works excellent and has a built in PSI gauge. It’s important to fill your board with the specified air PSI that will be noted at the fill spout.

Enjoy!

Dan

Bernie Girl 03-15-2026 04:50 PM

Take a look at Amazon. They have some great boards at great prices.


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