Boardworks Special
- 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 are looking for a stable, non-inflatable board to paddle and surf on then the Boardworks Special is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the Krypto-flex construction which is relatively fragile having both ups and downs. Due to its width of 30 inches, the Special is moderately stable. The board has an average weight of 2.86 lbs per foot weighing 28.05 lbs in total. Its shape makes the Special a surf-specific board that is designed to be used primarily for surfing. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for paddling out to the lineup and ripping in small to sizeable surf. Retailing at $1,249, the Special is in the popular mid-tier market in terms of affordability.
First Impressions
On first impressions, the graphics and color are good, the shape design is average for a sup surf board and the construction strikes as rather fragile. The Special has some nice looks coming with an interesting mix of colors and graphics intended to be quite lively. The shape design is average for boards in these categories, offering features suited primarily for recreational surfing and cruising. The construction does appear fragile but if taken care of properly can last a good amount of time. Carrying this paddle board is manageable due to its mid-range weight of 28.05 lbs. The glide feels average which is to be expected since lightweight construction and speed-centric design are moderately incorporated here. Everything combined, the Special is a stable surf-specific stand up paddle board great for intermediate stand up paddle surfers.
Benefits
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Primary Use
Surf 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
FragileDurability 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 Boardworks website.
Features
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Dimensions
9'10" x 30" x 4.31"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
28.05 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
141 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
250 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
FCS II/5 Fin Setup/2+1 Fin IncludedAdd-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
Internal Ergo GripHandles 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 |
|---|
| 7 Feet 4 Inches | 28.5 Inches | 3.38 Inches | 79 L |
| 8 Feet 4 Inches | 29.5 Inches | 4 Inches | 109 L |
| 8 Feet 10 Inches | 30.75 Inches | 4 Inches | 120 L |
| 9 Feet 4 Inches | 31 Inches | 4.19 Inches | 134 L |
| 9 Feet 10 Inches | 30 Inches | 4.02 Inches | 141 L |
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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.