Boardworks Shubu
- 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 very stable, inflatable board that is affordable, then the Shubu from Boardworks is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the Single Chamber Drop Stitch construction which durable and has both positives and negatives. Due to its width of 34 inches the board is incredibly stable. Its construction comes at an average weight of 2.82 lbs per foot, weighing 26.7 lbs total. Its shape makes the Shubu an all-around board that can be used by everyone and is designed for recreational paddling. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for short-distance paddling along the beach and around the dock. Retailing at $1,099, the board is in the popular mid-tier market in terms of affordability.
First Impressions
On first impressions, the graphics and color are bland, the shape design is quite thoughtful and the construction strikes as relatively strong. The Shubu takes the simple route in terms of looks, coming with a limited play on color and graphics. The shape design is typical of boards in these categories, offering features tailored primarily for recreational paddling and the construction does appear durable, as something that can survive constant use. This paddle board is easy to carry due to it being quite lightweight (20-30 lbs) and the glide feels slow, which is to be expected since lightweight construction and speed-centric designs are not at focus. The board has a couple of unique features having two side-bite fins and with the option of adding a third center fin into the center fin box. It also comes in a nice portable bag and has a repair kit in case of damage. And once you put it all together, the Boardworks Shubu is a very stable paddle board that everyone, no matter what skill level, can paddle with ease and have fun.
Benefits
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Primary Use
All-Around 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
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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.
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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.
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Glide
SlowGlide 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
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Dimensions
9'6" x 34" x 6"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
26.7 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
n/aVolume 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
270 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
Bungee/FCS II/D Ring/Air 7 Fin Box/2 built in Side Bites/Arch BarAdd-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 install.
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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
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 |
|---|
| 9 Feet 6 Inches | 34 Inches | 6 Inches | n/a |
| 10 Feet 6 Inches | 34 Inches | 6 Inches | n/a |
Similar Products
BOTE Drift
$1,250
Hala Hoss
$1,399
Red Paddle Ride
$1,299
Boardworks Shubu Sport
$899
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.