BOTE Drift
- 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 stable, inflatable, all-around board to paddle short distances then the BOTE Drift is worth a look. This stand up paddle (SUP) board comes in the Classic construction which is durable and has its ups and downs. Due to its width of 32 inches the board is very stable and has 2.01 lbs per foot, weighing 23.1 lbs total, making this board pretty lightweight for its size. Its shape makes the Drift an all-around board that can be used by everyone and was designed for recreation. Its construction and shape combined best fit this board for short distances, around the beach, dock and on rivers. Retailing at $1,250, the board is among the popular mid-tier price point in terms of affordability.
First Impressions
On first impressions, the graphics and color are stunning, the shape design is quite commonplace and the construction strikes as durable. The Drift has some gorgeous looks, coming with a beautiful wood inlay deck and bright colors, intended to be potent and yet with class. The shape design is typical for boards in these categories, offering features tailored primarily for recreational paddling. The construction does seem pretty durable, as something that can survive plenty of use. This paddle board is easy to carry with its weight being 23 lbs and the glide seems slow which is normal for inflatables. The board has a bunch of extra features including its compatibility with the very convenient Travelink carrying system and tackle rack and it even comes with a fiberglass paddle. The bag it comes in is also nice. And once you put everything together, the Drift is a very stable board that paddlers of all skill levels should be able to paddle with ease.
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
Very 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 BOTE website.
Features
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Dimensions
11'6" x 32" 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
23.1 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
350 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/Travel Compatable/Tackle Rack Compatable/Cooler Tie Down/Comes with Fiberglass Paddle and Drybag backpackAdd-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
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 |
|---|
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