For the SUP board to ride smoothly, it must balance your weight effectively. Don’t assume every board can comfortably carry you on water. That will misguide your choices. When making these SUPs, manufacturers like Honu always consider the weight of the prospective users. They always indicate the carrying capacity of each paddle board. That is because they know weight affects the SUP’s performance. To get a stable board for you, check its volume and weight capacity.

The weight capacity and volume of the SUP are determined by its thickness, length, and width. When making the stand up paddle boards for sale, manufacturers creatively combine these proportions to achieve unique performance traits for each board.

  • Volume – The volume of a paddle board is measured in liters. It reveals the board’s aptitude to float while carrying weight. SUPs with a higher volume can carry more weight.
  • Weight Capacity – Every SUP is restricted to carry a rider with a specific weight. Riding a board that can’t support your weight is inadvisable. It will be harder to paddle because it will be riding low on the water.

Volume and Weight Capacity Relation to Hull Type 

The planing boards are perfect for riders below their weight capacity. They will still perform better because they can carry the rider comfortably. The displacement hull SUPs aren’t as forgiving as the planing hull boards. Manufacturers invest more time to find the perfect carrying capacity for each displacement hull board. That is because they sink very low on water when carrying a weightier rider. It will be difficult for the rider to control or paddle it.

SUP Length 

The board’s length also affects its handling. Generally, shorter Honu paddleboards are slower than long ones. Longer SUP has a drawback when it comes to maneuverability. So, your intended use for the stand up paddleboard will determine if you need a shorter or a longer board. Use the following information in picking a suitable board for you.

  • Short boards less than ten feet are perfect for kids and surfing. Most short SUPs have a planing hull design. They are very stable.
  • Medium boards ranging between 10 – 12 feet are suitable for yoga and recreation tours. Most have planing hull designs while very few have a displacement hull design.
  • The 12.6 feet boards are perfect for long-distance paddle boarding and fast paddling.

SUP Width 

When talking about the stability of paddle boards, consider their width. The wide boards provide more stability than the slimmer ones. Most manufacturers make stand up paddle boards for sale whose width ranges from 25 inches to 36 inches. That allows their products to satisfy the unique needs of their prospective clients. To pick a SUP with a perfect width, consider the following aspects;

  • Type of paddling: People that love long-distance tours should opt for wider boards. That is because it provides more storage space for the food, tent, and other extra gear. They also offer more stability for the riders and their luggage.
  • Body Type: Consider matching your body type with the board’s width. Experts advise small-bodied persons to opt for narrow boards and big-bodied ones to choose the wider SUP. Persons with small bodies can balance on narrow SUP easily.
  • Ability Level: Beginners need a wider SUP for stability. They cannot use a stand up paddleboard effectively. Highly skilled professionals can use any paddle board.