California Board Company is a well-regarded brand for producing some quality stand up paddleboards (SUPs). They produce the classic Hydra paddle board, a hardshell board that features some distinct differences over its inflatable cousins.

Design

At 10’6″, the Hydra is one of the larger SUPs on the market.

The tie-down cords are near the front of the board cover a wider area than normal, allowing you to put down larger objects like coolers. Though it may seem insignificant, this expanded tie-down area means you can extend the duration of your trips without having to worry about food and drink.

The EPS foam that the board is made out of is rated to carry close to 300 lbs of total weight while only weighing 24 lbs in total. Don’t worry too much about shifting your position on the board because you’ve got a cooler or similar large object tied down in the cords.

Performance

What’s the big difference between inflatable SUPs and inflatable SUPs? The obvious difference is the material the shells are made out of. Inflatables are usually made out of PVC while hard shells like the Hydra use EPS foam.

However, the bottom side of the Hydra is coated with heat-laminated polyethylene. This makes the bottom surface extremely slick, and allowing for quicker overall movement through calmer waters.

That’s not to say that inflatable SUPs move like rocks, but the shape of the Hydra and materials its made out of give it the edge over inflatables.

Uses

Due to its slicker underside, this board will actually perform better on the oceans and seas than inflatable SUPs. The increased weight capacity also means yoga is a possibility as well if you think you’ve got the balance for it.

The nose of the board also has a hard point of you want to mount an action camera to capture all of your adventures.

Overall

Since the Hydra is a hard shell board, its generally going to be more expensive than inflatable SUPs. The hard EPS foam is usually of better quality for gliding through the water with only one fin anyway.

In addition to purchasing the board, you also get its accessories including adjustable aluminum paddle. This CBC specific paddle also has a blade shield to protect you and the board from the sharp edges of the paddle. Perhaps one of the more important inclusions among the accessories is roof racks. These devices can be a pain to search for individually, but CBC has you covered and its all included in the total cost.

In the end, I think this board is well worth the price. It might take some getting used to considering it doesn’t have a grip space in the mid-section. Once you’ve mastered balance, however, you’ll find that the Hydra is one of the best boards around for cruising the water.

 

What is it about SereneLife’s Premium inflatable SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) that makes it one of the most popular SUPs on the water? Apart from things like a couple of different color schemes and a pretty average price, its construction and surface make it one of the more user-friendly boards around.

Let’s look at some individual details:

Design

The board is constructed of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) material. When fully inflated, the shell of the paddleboard is tough and water-tight. You almost wouldn’t know the difference between this material and other, denser materials.

The underside of the board features a triple fin placement, allowing for a smoother ride through the water. The tail end of the stern is flat, also making it easier to manuever in the water. These simple but innovative improvements make the board simple to operate despite its size. Even when fully inflated, the board only weighs around 30lbs and has a carrying handle in the middle for easy transportation.

If you’re looking to take items with you on your journey across the water, the front end has bungee cords you can use to tie things down.

Performance

A tri-fin board is easy to come by nowadays thanks to SereneLife, and its combined with the flat-tail, you won’t have to put as much effort into each paddle swing.

The board measures 10’5 feet long & 30 inches wide and has an ergonomic midsection for better grip. Ideally, the SereneLife board will perform best on the calm waters of lakes, ponds, rivers, and even the ocean. Just be aware that the rougher the waters are, the worse the board will perform.

If you grow tired of standing, you can also sit down on that ergonomic section to give your feet a rest. The board will still balance your weight just as easily. The aluminum paddle is also collapsible so you can find the length that works for you.

Overall

We can see why this particular board is so popular. Not only is it a sturdy and trustworthy board, you get all the accessories with your purchase including the aluminum paddle carrying bag. When fully deflated, the board folds up nice and compact in the bag so you can take it just about anywhere.

SereneLife makes a good case for the best inflatable SUP on the market. Like we mentioned earlier, it’s the perfect blend of price, construction, and accessories.

A kayak is the vehicle of choice for outdoorsmen and women around the world looking to traverse rivers, lakes, and even the high seas. There are actually a variety of designs, constructions, and types of kayaks available for different situations. Depending on the body of water you visit the most, you may prefer one kayak over the other.

In this guide, we’ll go over different categories of kayaks to see which one best fits your needs.

 

Single-Seat

Lifetime Payette

Lifetime’s Payette kayak is a lot like the Camino 8 but its seat has a lower overall depth in the body. The seat placement means the cockpit is slightly enclosed, but it still has a sizable amount of leg room in the interior. This position gives the pilot better overall control with his or her paddles.

The Payette weighs in at around 44lbs but is rated to carry about 450lbs. The bow and stern have cables for which you can strap down items you want to take with you. However, neither end of the Payette has the appropriate shape to hold heavier objects like fully filled coolers.

The Payette also has the advantage of low price. Its construction makes it a good overall kayak in the water, even if conditions become unstable. In our opinion, the Payette is the best overall hardshell kayak on our list. Click here to check current price.

 

Sun Dolphin Camino 8 SS

Sun Dolphin’s Camino 8 is a small but robust hard shell kayak. The interior of the kayak is designed to be as user-friendly as possible. There are footwells, storage compartments, and paddle slots all within arms or legs reach.

The Camino 8 only weighs 40lbs, but its high-density polyethylene means it has a carrying capacity of around 225 lbs. This polyethylene construction is also UV resistant, so the body of the kayak won’t heat up when the sun is fully up. Some high-quality kayaks can range in the thousands of dollars, but the Camino has the advantage of being extremely cheap.

For a single-seat kayak, the Camino 8 has a good case for being one of the best overall single-seat kayaks. Apart from being lightweight, stable, and cheap, the Camino 8 is perfect for all experience levels. Click here to check the current price.

 

Emotion Glide

The Glide is one of Emotion Kayak’s premier kayaks. The slick and narrow V-frame of the Glide gives it exceptional maneuvering capabilities on top of enhanced speed. It only weighs 37 lbs, allowing one person to handle it on all ends.

This kayak may not be the best lounging kayak due to its lack of internal storage capabilities, but it does keep the rider comfortable for the duration of your trip. It does have cables on the bow and stern where you can tie down things, but large and heavy objects aren’t likely to fit. Like the Camino 8, its hull is roto-molded and rated coated against UV rays.

You should consider the Glide kayak if you’re experienced and strong on the water. While the kayak’s frame makes it easy to manuever and pick up speed, but when the currents change or the water becomes unstable, it can be difficult to handle. Click here to check the current price.

 

Old Town Canoes and Kayaks Vapor 10

The Old Town Vapor 10 has a slightly different construction than the kayaks above. While it’s not the widest or the narrowest kayak, its hull forms a middle ground between the two. This way, the kayak checks boxes in speed, maneuverability, and handling in stable waters.

The Vapor 10 has a stern well that allows you to place more items than normal tie-down cables. In fact, it’s just large enough that you might be able to place a small cooler inside. Because this area is built down into the body of the kayak, it won’t tip due to the added weight. Your own weight as well as the shape of the hull balance out the carrying capacity.

We like the Vapor 10 because it combines the best some of the best aspects of sit-on kayaks. The stern well, stable construction, and foot braces all make the Vapor 10 a comfortable kayak to paddle in. Click here to check the current price.

 

Two-Seat

BKC UH-TK181

Brooklyn Kayak Company’s UH-TK181 is a popular two-seat sit-on kayak. Despite its size, its got a very sleek profile, which will drastically help speed and maneuvering if both users are working together.

The extended size of the UH-TK181 makes for some innovative additions. There are water-tight compartments between the leg rests of both occupants, allowing you to keep valuables safe from water that might splash into the kayak. It also has two sets of paddle rests that point the paddles upward, keeping them away from the water and freeing your hands.

The UH-TK181 comes in a couple of different color schemes that are all around the same price. This is a pretty big plus in our opinion because some brands drastically change price according to something as simple as color. Click here to check the current price.

 

Ocean Kayak Malibu

Ocean Kayak’s Malibu is a great multi-purpose kayak. While the company name suggests one thing, the Malibu is great for handling ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. As an ocean-going kayak, you’ll have the most fun with the two primary occupants working the paddles together through swells.

The Malibu’s max weight capacity is about 475 lbs, enough for two adults and a small child. For the Malibu to perform the best, you should try and avoid approaching that weight capacity. There’s not much space to begin with besides the middle section to place heavier objects like coolers.

The Malibu is slightly cheaper than the UH-TK181 and performs just as nicely in the water. While it lacks the paddle holders, the key thing to keep in mind with this kayak is the weight capacity. Click here to check the current price.

 

Vibe Kayaks Yellowfin

The Yellowfin is one of the most expensive kayaks we have on our list, but there are a couple of pretty good reasons. The kayak comes with two seats but can fit a smaller, third occupant. You can also remove one of the seats to embark on a solo journey.

The Yellowfin has a slightly wider construction than the Malibu or UH-TK18, allowing for larger footwells and small storage areas in the bow and stern. Here, you can place small coolers or food items while your valuables go in the wells between your feet.

The versatility of the Yellowfin increases the price dramatically but in our minds, it’s well worth the cost of quality. There are two sets of mounting hard points, enabling you to insert rod holders of Scotty, RAM, or Railblaza design. This kayak can serve as a fishing, ocean-going, or leisurely boat depending on your needs. Many customers have complimented the Yellowfin on its adaptability to whatever the situation requires. Click here to check the current price.

 

Inflatable

Sea Eagle Razorlite

The Sea Eagle Razorlite is a 28 pound, 500-pound capacity inflatable kayak for one person, built for higher performance with a lighter, narrower and faster paddle. It is fully equipped with drop stitch technology that inflates in about 7 minutes.

The Razorlite is a more streamlined and hardened inflatable kayak than its SE370KP cousin. This design enables it to knife through the water quickly and efficiently. The Razorlite should be a frontrunner in your shopping cart if you’re looking to get adventurous on your own. Click here to check current prices.

 

Advanced Elements FireFly

The Advanced Elements FireFly was designed to be a compact recreational kayak to help improve performance and durability. This product has a fixed rigid formed bow and stern that help cut through waves and a bulged midsection to help with stability.

The forward-focused design of the FireFly allows it to adapt to currents in lakes, ponds, and even rivers. It’s a one-person kayak, enabling the rider full control over the boat as it moves through the water. Regardless of the state of the waters you’re paddling through, the FireFly will be able to navigate them smoothly. Click here to check current prices.

 

Interested in other best selling inflatable kayaks? Check out our guide to the best inflatable kayaks on the market.

 

Fishing

Lifetime Sport Fisher Kayak

This is a great value rigged fishing kayak for the money. The Lifetime Sport Fisher Kayak is priced similarly to the KL Industries model above. And, you get some of the same features and value with this one. You also get two sport paddles with this boat, which is great because it saves you a little money on gear.

This 10-foot fishing kayak is designed for either single or tandem use, which makes it a great versatile choice. And the backrests are nice and soft so that it is a comfortable day out on the lake. You can actually get up to three people in it’s ergonomic seating, which is nice for a family fishing outing. Or, bring the dog along! The maximum capacity is 500 pounds, which is pretty decent at this price point. Click here to check current price.

 

Sun Dolphin Journey SS

If you need a fishing kayak that offers a lot of value for the money, then look no further than the Sun Dolphin Journey SS. It has an amazingly low price but offers you a lot of bang for your buck. It has everything the beginner kayak angler needs from their boat.

This is a good, cheap kayak for fishing that is a lot of fun to use. However, do know that the seat is not padded like the higher end models. The seat can easily be replaced if you’re interested in that sort of thing. We think it’s also important to note that there are no scupper plugs on this model, which means that you have to physically tip the boat upside down to drain any water that gets inside of it. Click here to check current price.

 

Interested in other best selling fishing kayaks? Check out our guide to the best fishing kayaks on the market.