Paddleboard Recommendations Wanted

thinkxingu · 03-11-2026, 01:01 PM

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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-

-htm

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ishoot308 · 03-11-2026, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

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

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!

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

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.

03-11-2026, 01:01 PM	#1
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,538 Thanks: 1,184 Thanked 2,175 Times in 1,352 Posts	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. Thanks! Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

03-11-2026, 01:51 PM	#3
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,531 Thanks: 2,454 Thanked 5,465 Times in 2,142 Posts	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 __________________ It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!!

03-11-2026, 05:52 PM	#5
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 9,168 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 310 Thanked 1,103 Times in 812 Posts	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. __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!

03-11-2026, 10:02 PM	#10
Roy_Hobbs Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 21 Thanks: 30 Thanked 32 Times in 10 Posts	I’ve had a great experience with Tower boards. I have two, one of which is 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--htm Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

03-12-2026, 05:33 AM	#12
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 9,168 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 310 Thanked 1,103 Times in 812 Posts	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. __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store! Last edited by fatlazyless; 03-12-2026 at 06:22 AM.

03-11-2026, 01:19 PM	#2
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,239 Thanks: 223 Thanked 705 Times in 473 Posts	Costco or BJs usually has good deals and a decent product Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

03-11-2026, 02:41 PM	#4
BillTex Senior Member Join Date: May 2024 Location: Freedom (state of mind) Posts: 147 Thanks: 30 Thanked 50 Times in 36 Posts	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.

03-11-2026, 06:25 PM	#6
Winilyme Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Ice in = CT / Ice out = Winnipesaukee Posts: 577 Thanks: 168 Thanked 324 Times in 175 Posts	You’re (she is) gonna want two. A lot more fun going out with another person.

03-12-2026, 07:38 AM	#13
SAB1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 1,275 Thanks: 196 Thanked 336 Times in 244 Posts	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.

03-12-2026, 08:27 AM	#15
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 4,412 Thanks: 2,426 Thanked 1,269 Times in 812 Posts	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.

03-12-2026, 02:22 PM	#16
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,538 Thanks: 1,184 Thanked 2,175 Times in 1,352 Posts	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! Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

03-15-2026, 04:50 PM	#18
Bernie Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 61 Thanks: 145 Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts	Take a look at Amazon. They have some great boards at great prices.