Bay Sports Cruise
- 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?
Looking for a very lightweight, affordable inflatable stand up paddle board that’s best suited for paddlers on the smaller side? Check out Bay Sports’ Cruise Signature Series SUP. The Cruise comes fully loaded with all the tools needed to get on the water. Pump? Check. Leash? Check. Paddle? Check. Fin? Check. This board is designed for beginner paddlers and all around paddling near the shore or dock for shorter distances, up to a mile or two. It also comes in a few different colorways so there are options to choose from to suit your style. Priced at $499, this is a pretty good value for all that comes with it.
First Impressions
The Cruise is definitely on the smaller size for inflatables and is going to be best for smaller paddlers, whether it’s kids/teens or women. Not only is the length here pretty short but the thickness of the board is a bit thinner than the industry average that we’re used to seeing/paddling. The one inch difference here could definitely be felt and could be an issue for larger paddlers. That being said, taking into consideration the length and thickness of the board, the Cruise felt quite stable. Looking at the features included, the board has handles on the nose, center and tail making carrying even easier. Additionally, there are bungee cords on both the deck and tail of the board that feature grab handles which are great for kids that want to hop on for a ride. And, as with their other 2022 models, there’s also a multi use action mount so you can attach a camera or a GoPro to the nose of the board. Carrying the board was incredibly easy and the board felt good in the water.
Benefits
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Primary Use
All AroundPaddle 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
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Durability
DurableDurability 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.
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Stability
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.
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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 Bay Sports website.
Features
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Dimensions
9'6" x 32" x 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).
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Weight
16.86 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).
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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.
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Capacity
264 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.
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Add On's
Multi-use action mount, 4 removable grab handles, 18 stainless steel D rings, 9" click in "tool-less" fin, Bungee Nose, Bungee Tail, Paddle Included, Leash Included, Handle on nose, Handle on tailAdd-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.
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Handle
StrapHandles 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.
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Holders
YesFishing 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 |
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Similar Products
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Aqua Marina Triton
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iRocker All Around
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Bay Sports Seek
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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.