Hi, I bought the 12’ after watching several rave reviews and would like to add my less enthusiastic point of view: first of all, this thing is HEAVY! Reviewers mention this as a small detail but it isn’t. When SUPing with a group of friends I was always the last one to get to the shore or back to the car because I had to drag this beast and struggle to fold it back. It really doesn’t feel good to be that last guy that everyone else has so wait for. BTW that super top-of-the-range pump isn’t that great because it doesn’t have the possibility to extract air. So you are left struggling to get all the air out of the SUPs’ inner chamber, otherwise the air gets trapped and it’s impossible to fold it back correctly. Also, contrary to what people say, you still feel this heaviness once in the water since it has bigger inertia so getting it to move is also a bit of a struggle. Had I known all this beforehand I would never have bought it. Now you’d think this is the price to pay for having a good quality SUP… well not really, because it’s so heavy you tend to drag it more on the floor which means it gets a lot more scratches compared to a lighter one. And, contrary to all the adds saying this is “military grade” and such it actually scratches quite easily… after only a few outings mine is full of scuffs. There was also a general recall on the 2021 model because the inner chamber tended to leak (so much for “military grade quality”…). They offer to exchange it for free… IF you still have the shipping box to prove your series number which of course everyone threw to the bin a long time ago. There are also quite a lot of small details that show that this is certainly NOT as quality made as they claim. I wouldn’t have minded so much had this been a 300€ Aquamarina but this costs more than double the price so I expect perfection at that price level. So yeah, just here to say, think twice before you buy…
Hi Sadhu, many thanks for your comment and we're sorry to hear about your experience. Your comment helps others in the community with board purchases to know what to expect as an owner, so thank you very much for taking the time to highlight the issues. We are looking at ways to improve our reviews into the future so you are better prepared before purchasing. Hope you're still able to enjoy paddling. Thanks, Beau
Please also feel free to leave your comments on the SUPboarder website. We really want others to hear your experience. supboardermag.com/equipment_guide/bluefin-cruise-carbon-12-eslfrsair-duo-12-32-2019-review/#have-your-say Thanks
I love my cruise 12 for stability on the sea, but yeah the wieght is a serious problem and makes me want another board for travelling. I want an stx 11"6.
Very similar but the Nautical is much lighter (But we haven't seen the newer Bluefins yet). I would say that the Bluefins would be stronger and stiffer tho. If you are plus 85kg go for a Bluefin, but sub that the lighter Nautical could be a good move. Any help? Thanks Reuben
Thanks Mike. Both are good boards. Bluefin has more fittings on the board so consider if you need to use them. The construction adds a bit more weight too as they use multiple layers and a double chamber. Gladiator are still strong in their construction but you'll get a lighter weight board which may make paddling feel more fun.
Hi guys - great video - very informative. I'm just looking at getting into paddle boarding and interested in the Bluefin 15' Carbon, but unsure if it's right for me - I suppose the question is - will that be too big? I'm looking to use it as a family board as well as a solo rider. Mostly flat water use - we do live on the coast but not in an area that gets any big waves. I probably weigh 100kgs alone and would likely be using this with my partner who is probably another 50kg. Hence the reason for the 15' idea. Will I be able to handle this board alone though? I have some experience in surfing and kayaking, and pretty confident on the water. Would potentially look to get some lessons if I thought it was needed. Thanks in advance and for all the great #content Sam
Hey Samuel, it really sounds like you are looking towards the right board. Obviously the downside to this board is moving and transporting this board when you are on your own and it wont want to turn as quickly on the water as a shorter board would do. But for what you want it sounds like it will be absolutely fine. Apart from these boards being a little heavier they really do seem to be solidly made and a good value product. Hope that helps? Reuben
Thanks for reviewing these. Im on amazon prime and they have a dela with the cruise set at 399£ and im going to buy it for next year!! Happy to buy it having seen this video. Thanks mate!
Hi, I'm looking at the bluefin range with the 10'8 or 12' but I am right on the border of there size recommendations, 184cm and 89 kg, I have started doing longer paddles of about 8km, which would you recommend, 10'8 or 12. (carbon version most likely) cheers
For longer paddles, we'd recommend the 12' as you will get a quicker glide and all round better feel when paddling those distances. Hope this helps. Beau
Hello! The Sandbanks Ultimate is lighter in weight and slightly smaller in size which might suit you better in terms of carrying and better feel on the water. The Bluefin Cruise comes with a few extra accessories like the kayak conversion if that interests you though. Both are great boards to be considering and you will get lots of fun out of each. Hope this helps. Thanks, Beau
@@SUPboardermag thanks! Just spotted the new cruise ones too but they’re more expensive. Not fussed about kayak stuff so might keep it simple with the sandbanks 😊.
Great video! With recent price drop I am interested in Bluefin Sprint 14 touring board. I am kayaker but never step on a SUP. I thin Sprint would be ideala for me and my 6.5 year son, but I am a little bit concened about width of that board, only 77cm. In reality, how much of a difference in stability is between 80cm and 77cm width SUP board? And one more question... wher to buy trouring fin for smart fin box? Thank you in advance. 🙂
Hey , Sorry for the delay on getting back to this. There's a difference but it really depends on your weight and hight. If you are 75kg and under, the thinner board will not be a problem. BUT the wider board will offer you a great amount of stability for you and your son. And as he is only going to get bigger I would look to the wider one. Unfortunately I dont know the answer to the fin question. I m sure it wont be long until they start producing them. Hope that helps Thanks Reuben
Not sure, but at a guess would be slower because of the overall weight but with a good amount of glide and straight line tracking. Good specs for a tandem board.
Great review as I'm looking to purchase one of these, I'm 98kg and wondering if the 10'8" or 12' would be best? Looking to maybe surf some small waves with it too.
Hey Duncan, If you are after a board to catch a few waves with the 10'8 will definitely be better. The 12' is more of a longer distance cruising board. Thanks Reuben
Great review! Knew I made the right choice 😊 got the 10.8 and partner is waiting for the 12, really looking forward to test this baby out, be my first time but am hooked already! 😁👍
@butterflyes05 how have you found the 12? Looking at getting one my Mrs has a 10.6 board which will be her and 1 medium size dog, I will be paddling with a 4 year old and the other medium sized dog. Do yiu think the extra room of the 12 is worth it or is it just to heavy and cumbersome?
@@Chris-cb2yz I'm in Northern Ireland and ordered 27th or 28th December and said there was some left amd would be sent first week of Jan. They notified me last week that they despatched it. ParcelForce is the carrier and although it was supposed to be with me end of last week i can see that it's not even been sorted so I'm figuring end of next week. They said snow was holding things up and maybe Brexit hasn't helped. I'll keep you posted though
Trying to decide between the cruise or the cruise carbon. Is the increased rigidity of the carbon and worth the additional weight and loss of maneuverability?
It all depends on your weight or the overall weight you want to put on the board? And how far you are wanting to transport it? As a guide 85/90kg + yes go for the stiffer board.
5ft 7 and 80kg. Worried the Bluefin Cruise 10 8 is too big for me and if I should go for a smaller thinner board e.g. Gladiator Pro 10 4. Any advice greatly appreciated
Hi Neil. Glad you asked the question. What type of conditions and type of paddling would you like to be doing with these boards. Because you may want to look at a longer board if you are wanting to paddle a little bit further. These boards are great for offering you a bit of a beginner baseboard that is easy to turn and maybe catch a few waves on. But if you are wanting to paddle somewhere then going for maybe an 11' board would be better. Regarding board thickness, you are right on the limit. You could use, and possibly you would find the 5 (4.75") thick board would offer you a better feeling on the water. But if you put any more weight ( dog, bags ,kids) on the board than a thicker 6" board would be better for you. Nay help? Thanks Reuben
@@SUPboardermag I've only ordered it so far. Will be arriving next week. Didn't want to pay £600+ for a board so took a punt on 2 bare feet's 12 footer.
in case you still respond to this vid -- I am really impressed by the small deflection of the Cruise, and am about to order one. However, I'm trying to understand why this would be the case, given there is only *ONE* layer of PVC on the iSUP, except on the edges where there appear to be three layers. That one layer also puzzles me as to how it could weigh 12kg with just one layer of PVC over the majority of the board -- unless that one layer of PVC is much, much thicker than the one layer of PVC employed on the most entry level $200 boards. Essentially, with other brands touting 2 layers of PVC (and irocker/blackfin touting 3 layers), why only one layer with this one?? One would think the chance of punctures to be much higher with a 1 layer PVC construction. Thank you in advance for your reply.
Hey Larry. Yes we still get back to all comments 😀. Good question. The whole layer question has changed in the last few years because like you said its also to do with how thick the PVC is in the first place. And with the new way of heat bonding the layers together most layers become one layer now anyway. The overall weight of the board is a basic good way to look at it. The Blue Fin boards are heavy and because of that they are tough too. There are some exceptions to this because you can save weight with more expensive Internal drop stitch, which some brands have. You are right the more layers or thicker PVC you have the more scrapes the board can take. But PVC in general is pretty tough and I haven't put holes in many iSUPs over my last 12 years in paddling. The only board I have damage has been from going fishing with the boards and landing spiky fish. And that was a 3 layer board too. I hope that helps in some way. Thanks Reuben
That you! This was extremely informative. As a novice about to buy its first SUP board I was looking exactly for this. A video telling me what to look at to distinguish between low and good quality boards.
Dude! Thanks for the great and informative videos, please please please do a review vid with a deflection test of the Atoll 11 foot. Thanks you guys rule!
I had a look on their website. It looks like they've got a few key shapes in there and I really like the logo. I would love to get these boards in a review slot as well, but I will have to get through the 20 boards waiting to be paddled here at the moment :-) Big thanks for the heads up. Reuben
Thanks for the review! I would love to see some more high-end contenders (Fusion plus Stringers): Airboard Rocket LE Carbon, Indiana Paddle & Surf Limited Edition, Lightboardcorp MFT ICT Race, NSP Race and for example a Mistral board made of fusion material only but with woven double-wall fabric for super light weight...
Hey Ro, Thanks for your list of boards. We will look at getting them on the review list. Its always great to hear what you guys want to be tested. Keep the comments coming. Thanks Reuben
You prolly dont give a damn but does someone know of a method to get back into an Instagram account..? I was stupid forgot the password. I appreciate any assistance you can offer me
@Chris Jude i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm trying it out now. Seems to take quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Hi, I'm really interested in these boards after purchasing a cheaper alternative and being rather disappointed with the flex in it. SUP instructor was less than helpful and tried to sell me a board from his shop. I'm 6foot 110kg and have taken to paddle boarding as a fitness and core strength routine. Cost is an issue, so do you believe the 10.8 Cruise will be ok or should I wait and save for the Carbon? There is so much information out there that conflicts.. I'm rather lost in the details.
Hey Jeremy, sorry to hear that you have had a few issues starting off. I feel that you could get on the standard 10'8" and it's pretty stiff compared to many boards out there BUT I think that if you are going to be getting out on the board regularly I think it may be best to save up that little bit more and go for the carbon version. It will just give you that extra bit of stiffness which I think you will really benefit from especially if you're trying to paddle hard for fitness. The only other thing that is worth mentioning is it might be better to go for the longer board if you are just wanting to do faster paddling and more longer distance paddling. If you want a board to cover more all types of panelling including maybe catching a few waves and still look towards the smaller 10'8 board. Does that help? Thanks Reuben
@@SUPboardermag this is fantastic and cleared up many details. I will hold off the purchase and save for a 12’ Cruise Carbon. It will fit me better, based upon the points raised, and it has numerous extras that you have pointed out in the review. Thank you for taking the time to reply and provide clarity.
Hey Steve. I think If I was a heavier rider 85kg+ I would possibly push more towards the bluefin because it's a heavier board that will be harder to move around for a lighter paddler but offer a little bit more stiffness. I feel that both paddle the same on the water. But the sandbanks is lighter to use overall. Thanks Reuben
I've been debating between the bluefin 15' cruise tandem and the body glove 15' tandem for awhile now, any recommendations on which board I should go with?
Bluefin are know for their 5 year warranty on boards which is always a safe bet when choosing your SUP. But it also depends on your needs. If you just want a board to mess around on and do some leisurely paddles, you may find the Body Glove is the choice. Bluefin would be the pick for a longer lasting board. Hope this helps. Beau
I like the carrying strap on the 12 foot. A pity they don’t do one for the 108. Looking at the rings on the 108 for the kayak they are not at the balance point for the board so can not be used. Pity.
Hi Japyoo, To be honest I've seen many three-piece basic glass and Aluminium paddles sink. But this is only after they've been in the water for maybe 5 to 10 minutes while the kids are playing around on the board and left the paddles in the water. It's usually to do with the plastic paddle blades that do not hold any buoyancy inside. Carbon and glass blades have foam inside the top on the blade. Which gives them a lot more buoyancy. I hope that helps Reuben
Both boards will take your weight. It is really all about if you want to go for a longer board with more glide which would be better for longer distance paddling. The 12 will offer you this. But the Thurso will offer you a board that turns easier. Therefore it will be better if you wanted to catch a wave with it too. Make sense? Thanks Reuben
Hi Amanda. Thanks for your question. The 10'8 would work well for it. The only thing about doing Yoga on iSUPs is sometimes it's easier to do it on thinner boards (ie 5" thick) (These Bluefins are 6"). So then you are a little closer to the water making it easier to balance. Depending on your weight you may find that if you are really getting into yoga then a thinner board is better, but for paddling and doing a small yoga session every time you go out Im sure these Bluefins will be fine. Hope that makes sense?? Thanks Reuben
@@SUPboardermag ok, so would you go Bluefin Cruise or Bluefin Carbon Cruise? I was thinking the 12' would give more room to move around as well. I'm under 150 lbs and 5'2".. I'm guessing the 10'8 would likely work for me anyway.
@@amandaherlinger4433 Hey, as you’re a lighter paddler I would look at the Cruise 12'. You wont need a super stiff board. The Cruise range is easily stiff enough for what you want. Im 165lbs and I would be happy using the Cruise range of boards. Thanks Reuben
When looking at various SUP brands that have a thickness of 6 inches, I've noticed that some of them sit higher in the water. Can anyone explain this please as i'm struggling to get my head around it.
@@SUPboardermag I'm fairly new to SUP and want an all round board with a bit more glide and touring ability over surf use. I love the 9kg cross weave construction of the Quroc and the carbon paddle and more portable bag it comes with but the Bluefin Carbon looks bullet proof and stiff as can be. What should I do? Which is the faster/ better handling board? Does that extra stiffness make all the difference or does the lighter board make for a better paddle? Which would you choose?
@@OrgoneAlchemy MMM hard one. How much do you weigh? A lighter person could be better off going for a lighter and maybe not so stiff board. Also a lighter rider wont feel the flex difference of these 2 board types. The Bluefin a super tough board and really well made. This question is I think something a lot of people are going to be asking. When you are paddling the Bluefins on the water the weight of the boards doesn't really effect the paddling performance. I guess it really comes down to how much you have to transport the board inflated and deflated to and from the water. A lighter board will always be easier for this. How this helps a little. Thanks Reuben
@@SUPboardermag Cheers Ruben, I'm thinking of flying and then taking the train to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for a session and looking at the weight I'm thinking the Quroc will be a better bet in transit. Interesting you mention that when paddling the Bluefins on the water the weight of the boards doesn't really effect the paddling performance. I've heard it said that the Crossover boards are great fun to paddle and I assumed that the light weight nature probably carried through to performance making my choice a bit easier but if this is not a factor I'll have to base my decision on other factors. I weigh about 95kg so maybe the extra stiffness won't make so much difference to me. On the other hand I would assume the extra layers in the build makes the Bluefin's a better proposition as a long term purchase, are the Quroc's noticeably flimsy by comparison? Perhaps the only other factor which might decide it is glide. Does either board have a significantly better glide over the other?
Hi Clarke. It really comes down to the boards width that will give you the most stability. Going for the longer 12 foot board will make it faster to paddle but no more stable than the 10 8. If you are just looking for an all-round board to paddle and have fun on the 10 eight will be fine at your height as long as you weigh under 120 kg. If you weigh more than this then you might want to look at a wider-based board. Thanks Reuben
Ordered and received a Cruise 12’ but returned it due to quality issue. The Bluefin community lists a whole host of problems. Gonna pay up for a Red Paddle Co Ride 10’ 8”
Thanks for your feedback we have some new 2021 boards here with us now so will have a look and see what we think. The quality of the last review boards was spot on. Thanks Reuben
Thanks for your comment on suggestion. There are some many iSUP boards out there, we are finding it hard to get them all done. But I will put it on the long list :-). Thanks Reuben
Hi i have just bought bluefin 12" carbon, can somebody tell me which kind of Valve they use. i need to know for to buy an electric pump. thx in advance
Hey Xavier. 99% of iSUPs including Bluefin use the same values. Any SUP pump will fit them. The only thing you may have to change but unlikely is the rubber washers on the pumps. But most pumps come with spares of these. Thanks Reuben
12kg and 15kgs. That's pretty heavy for isups, right? Although that improves the stiffness of course. Are you guys also going to review the new 2019 Mistral inflatable boards, with the Woven Fusion Layer Technology? They are really light (less than 9kgs for the 12'6). Would be great to see a review of them!
I'm sure the carbon 12 is 17kg on there web, I don't really care too much about a few kilos as I'd believe the materials should be more superior with a longer life span, blufin all the way with a 5 year warranty, beat that competition! update, our 12 is 15kg, and loads of comments about how ridgid it looks on the water, on the water it movers with ease, and is responsive, love it! packing is something we are still getting used to with the ridgid materials though
Like any iSUPs it will ride and get you into the waves. Waves of up to waist high will be a-lot of fun. But it will really only want to trim and ride along the wave. The thicker 6" iSUPs are never that good at turning due to the rail shape. Hope that makes sense? Reuben /SUPboarder
We have been playing around with this one lately and its pretty good. www.stxparts.com/product/electric-pump-incl-battery/ But good to hear about what other people have got. We haven't done a review on it sorry. Thanks Reuben
O thats not good 🙁. In their defence regarding the long wait. Most brands (almost all) are completely out of stock of boards at the moment due to the Covid virus and the popularity of Sup this summer. So the wait is very much normal this year. Can they not just send you some fins asap? Thanks Reuben
SUPboarder yes I asked them for the missing items. Unfortunately, they don’t have it in stock. I’m still waiting their response and the return label...4 days now.
Finally! Haha. I purchased a Bluefin over a year ago and have been waiting for you guys to get on it. Great vid!
Thanks James!
@@bluefinsup love your boards, I bought mine not long after you had your first release of products. Looking to upgrade to a Carbon 12 soon!
@@Nightswatch943 Awesome. Really good to hear. We are so proud of the Carbon range! Have 10% off your Carbon with HELLO10 😁😁😁😁
Hi, I bought the 12’ after watching several rave reviews and would like to add my less enthusiastic point of view: first of all, this thing is HEAVY! Reviewers mention this as a small detail but it isn’t. When SUPing with a group of friends I was always the last one to get to the shore or back to the car because I had to drag this beast and struggle to fold it back. It really doesn’t feel good to be that last guy that everyone else has so wait for. BTW that super top-of-the-range pump isn’t that great because it doesn’t have the possibility to extract air. So you are left struggling to get all the air out of the SUPs’ inner chamber, otherwise the air gets trapped and it’s impossible to fold it back correctly. Also, contrary to what people say, you still feel this heaviness once in the water since it has bigger inertia so getting it to move is also a bit of a struggle. Had I known all this beforehand I would never have bought it. Now you’d think this is the price to pay for having a good quality SUP… well not really, because it’s so heavy you tend to drag it more on the floor which means it gets a lot more scratches compared to a lighter one. And, contrary to all the adds saying this is “military grade” and such it actually scratches quite easily… after only a few outings mine is full of scuffs. There was also a general recall on the 2021 model because the inner chamber tended to leak (so much for “military grade quality”…). They offer to exchange it for free… IF you still have the shipping box to prove your series number which of course everyone threw to the bin a long time ago. There are also quite a lot of small details that show that this is certainly NOT as quality made as they claim. I wouldn’t have minded so much had this been a 300€ Aquamarina but this costs more than double the price so I expect perfection at that price level. So yeah, just here to say, think twice before you buy…
Hi Sadhu, many thanks for your comment and we're sorry to hear about your experience. Your comment helps others in the community with board purchases to know what to expect as an owner, so thank you very much for taking the time to highlight the issues. We are looking at ways to improve our reviews into the future so you are better prepared before purchasing. Hope you're still able to enjoy paddling. Thanks, Beau
Please also feel free to leave your comments on the SUPboarder website. We really want others to hear your experience. supboardermag.com/equipment_guide/bluefin-cruise-carbon-12-eslfrsair-duo-12-32-2019-review/#have-your-say
Thanks
I love my cruise 12 for stability on the sea, but yeah the wieght is a serious problem and makes me want another board for travelling. I want an stx 11"6.
Is that really heavy compared to other ones ?
Woah nice boards - bit of competition for Quroc! Thanks for the very clear review 👍
Thanks!!
Great review thanks for this! How does the 10.8 compare with the nautical for the same price? (£499)
Very similar but the Nautical is much lighter (But we haven't seen the newer Bluefins yet). I would say that the Bluefins would be stronger and stiffer tho. If you are plus 85kg go for a Bluefin, but sub that the lighter Nautical could be a good move. Any help? Thanks Reuben
great review, thanks I am comparing the bluefin Cruise with the gladiator Origin 10'8'', both at the same price point. what would be the better board?
Thanks Mike. Both are good boards. Bluefin has more fittings on the board so consider if you need to use them. The construction adds a bit more weight too as they use multiple layers and a double chamber. Gladiator are still strong in their construction but you'll get a lighter weight board which may make paddling feel more fun.
Hi guys - great video - very informative.
I'm just looking at getting into paddle boarding and interested in the Bluefin 15' Carbon, but unsure if it's right for me - I suppose the question is - will that be too big?
I'm looking to use it as a family board as well as a solo rider. Mostly flat water use - we do live on the coast but not in an area that gets any big waves.
I probably weigh 100kgs alone and would likely be using this with my partner who is probably another 50kg. Hence the reason for the 15' idea.
Will I be able to handle this board alone though? I have some experience in surfing and kayaking, and pretty confident on the water. Would potentially look to get some lessons if I thought it was needed.
Thanks in advance and for all the great #content
Sam
Hey Samuel, it really sounds like you are looking towards the right board. Obviously the downside to this board is moving and transporting this board when you are on your own and it wont want to turn as quickly on the water as a shorter board would do. But for what you want it sounds like it will be absolutely fine. Apart from these boards being a little heavier they really do seem to be solidly made and a good value product. Hope that helps? Reuben
Thanks for reviewing these. Im on amazon prime and they have a dela with the cruise set at 399£ and im going to buy it for next year!! Happy to buy it having seen this video. Thanks mate!
Glad you found the video useful and thanks for the comment.
Hi, I'm looking at the bluefin range with the 10'8 or 12' but I am right on the border of there size recommendations, 184cm and 89 kg, I have started doing longer paddles of about 8km, which would you recommend, 10'8 or 12. (carbon version most likely)
cheers
For longer paddles, we'd recommend the 12' as you will get a quicker glide and all round better feel when paddling those distances. Hope this helps. Beau
Hey! What's your take on the Cruise vs the Sandbanks Ultimate? Struggling to decide. I'm 5'2" and 58kg so weight capacity/size isn't an issue
Hello! The Sandbanks Ultimate is lighter in weight and slightly smaller in size which might suit you better in terms of carrying and better feel on the water. The Bluefin Cruise comes with a few extra accessories like the kayak conversion if that interests you though. Both are great boards to be considering and you will get lots of fun out of each. Hope this helps. Thanks, Beau
@@SUPboardermag thanks! Just spotted the new cruise ones too but they’re more expensive. Not fussed about kayak stuff so might keep it simple with the sandbanks 😊.
Just ordered the 12 foot ..Can't wait 2 get it :)
Great video! With recent price drop I am interested in Bluefin Sprint 14 touring board. I am kayaker but never step on a SUP. I thin Sprint would be ideala for me and my 6.5 year son, but I am a little bit concened about width of that board, only 77cm. In reality, how much of a difference in stability is between 80cm and 77cm width SUP board? And one more question... wher to buy trouring fin for smart fin box?
Thank you in advance. 🙂
Hey , Sorry for the delay on getting back to this. There's a difference but it really depends on your weight and hight. If you are 75kg and under, the thinner board will not be a problem. BUT the wider board will offer you a great amount of stability for you and your son. And as he is only going to get bigger I would look to the wider one. Unfortunately I dont know the answer to the fin question. I m sure it wont be long until they start producing them. Hope that helps Thanks Reuben
Another very informative test. Any idea how the 15ft tandem cruise would fare for single and double use?
Not sure, but at a guess would be slower because of the overall weight but with a good amount of glide and straight line tracking. Good specs for a tandem board.
There´s actually a fish in the background at 11:20
Well spotted!
Great review as I'm looking to purchase one of these, I'm 98kg and wondering if the 10'8" or 12' would be best? Looking to maybe surf some small waves with it too.
Hey Duncan, If you are after a board to catch a few waves with the 10'8 will definitely be better. The 12' is more of a longer distance cruising board.
Thanks Reuben
Great review! Knew I made the right choice 😊 got the 10.8 and partner is waiting for the 12, really looking forward to test this baby out, be my first time but am hooked already! 😁👍
Nice one
@butterflyes05 how have you found the 12? Looking at getting one my Mrs has a 10.6 board which will be her and 1 medium size dog, I will be paddling with a 4 year old and the other medium sized dog. Do yiu think the extra room of the 12 is worth it or is it just to heavy and cumbersome?
Very useful review. I'm 6ft and 70kg. Would I be too light for the 12ft Cruise?
No Rob the board will still be fine for you.
I just ordered the 10ft8 one...can't wait to get started
Just out of interest have you received it yet? We ordered ours a couple weeks ago and haven’t heard anything since. Cheers
@@Chris-cb2yz I'm in Northern Ireland and ordered 27th or 28th December and said there was some left amd would be sent first week of Jan. They notified me last week that they despatched it. ParcelForce is the carrier and although it was supposed to be with me end of last week i can see that it's not even been sorted so I'm figuring end of next week. They said snow was holding things up and maybe Brexit hasn't helped. I'll keep you posted though
@@Chris-cb2yz just to let you know my board arrived today. Not had a chance to inflate but so far everything looks good. Boy is it heavy lol
@@laceyknicks6863 ours have just been dispatched! Hope you have fun with yours!
@@Chris-cb2yz same to you. Blew it up and every happy with it just wait for lockdown to be over lol. Good luck
Trying to decide between the cruise or the cruise carbon. Is the increased rigidity of the carbon and worth the additional weight and loss of maneuverability?
It all depends on your weight or the overall weight you want to put on the board? And how far you are wanting to transport it?
As a guide 85/90kg + yes go for the stiffer board.
Cruise carbon 12' have double layer PVC around ( up and down ) drop stritch?
5ft 7 and 80kg. Worried the Bluefin Cruise 10 8 is too big for me and if I should go for a smaller thinner board e.g. Gladiator Pro 10 4. Any advice greatly appreciated
Hi Neil. Glad you asked the question.
What type of conditions and type of paddling would you like to be doing with these boards. Because you may want to look at a longer board if you are wanting to paddle a little bit further. These boards are great for offering you a bit of a beginner baseboard that is easy to turn and maybe catch a few waves on.
But if you are wanting to paddle somewhere then going for maybe an 11' board would be better.
Regarding board thickness, you are right on the limit.
You could use, and possibly you would find the 5 (4.75") thick board would offer you a better feeling on the water.
But if you put any more weight ( dog, bags ,kids) on the board than a thicker 6" board would be better for you. Nay help? Thanks Reuben
Good stuff. Have used the same logic when deciding which Two Bare Feet sup to buy. Have you used their boards?
No we haven't. But we have seen many paddlers with them though. Are you happy with it?
@@SUPboardermag I've only ordered it so far. Will be arriving next week. Didn't want to pay £600+ for a board so took a punt on 2 bare feet's 12 footer.
in case you still respond to this vid --
I am really impressed by the small deflection of the Cruise, and am about to order one. However, I'm trying to understand why this would be the case, given there is only *ONE* layer of PVC on the iSUP, except on the edges where there appear to be three layers. That one layer also puzzles me as to how it could weigh 12kg with just one layer of PVC over the majority of the board -- unless that one layer of PVC is much, much thicker than the one layer of PVC employed on the most entry level $200 boards. Essentially, with other brands touting 2 layers of PVC (and irocker/blackfin touting 3 layers), why only one layer with this one?? One would think the chance of punctures to be much higher with a 1 layer PVC construction.
Thank you in advance for your reply.
Hey Larry. Yes we still get back to all comments 😀. Good question.
The whole layer question has changed in the last few years because like you said its also to do with how thick the PVC is in the first place. And with the new way of heat bonding the layers together most layers become one layer now anyway. The overall weight of the board is a basic good way to look at it. The Blue Fin boards are heavy and because of that they are tough too. There are some exceptions to this because you can save weight with more expensive Internal drop stitch, which some brands have. You are right the more layers or thicker PVC you have the more scrapes the board can take. But PVC in general is pretty tough and I haven't put holes in many iSUPs over my last 12 years in paddling. The only board I have damage has been from going fishing with the boards and landing spiky fish. And that was a 3 layer board too. I hope that helps in some way. Thanks Reuben
That you! This was extremely informative. As a novice about to buy its first SUP board I was looking exactly for this. A video telling me what to look at to distinguish between low and good quality boards.
Glad it was helpful!
Great review! I saw a fish jump on one part of the video!
Haha very cool. Thanks for the comment. Beau
Dude! Thanks for the great and informative videos, please please please do a review vid with a deflection test of the Atoll 11 foot. Thanks you guys rule!
I had a look on their website. It looks like they've got a few key shapes in there and I really like the logo. I would love to get these boards in a review slot as well, but I will have to get through the 20 boards waiting to be paddled here at the moment :-) Big thanks for the heads up. Reuben
Thanks for the review! I would love to see some more high-end contenders (Fusion plus Stringers): Airboard Rocket LE Carbon, Indiana Paddle & Surf Limited Edition, Lightboardcorp MFT ICT Race, NSP Race and for example a Mistral board made of fusion material only but with woven double-wall fabric for super light weight...
Hey Ro, Thanks for your list of boards. We will look at getting them on the review list. Its always great to hear what you guys want to be tested. Keep the comments coming. Thanks Reuben
You prolly dont give a damn but does someone know of a method to get back into an Instagram account..?
I was stupid forgot the password. I appreciate any assistance you can offer me
@Pablo Duncan instablaster =)
@Chris Jude i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm trying it out now.
Seems to take quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Chris Jude it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy!
Thanks so much you saved my account!
Hi, I'm really interested in these boards after purchasing a cheaper alternative and being rather disappointed with the flex in it. SUP instructor was less than helpful and tried to sell me a board from his shop. I'm 6foot 110kg and have taken to paddle boarding as a fitness and core strength routine. Cost is an issue, so do you believe the 10.8 Cruise will be ok or should I wait and save for the Carbon? There is so much information out there that conflicts.. I'm rather lost in the details.
Hey Jeremy, sorry to hear that you have had a few issues starting off. I feel that you could get on the standard 10'8" and it's pretty stiff compared to many boards out there BUT I think that if you are going to be getting out on the board regularly I think it may be best to save up that little bit more and go for the carbon version.
It will just give you that extra bit of stiffness which I think you will really benefit from especially if you're trying to paddle hard for fitness. The only other thing that is worth mentioning is it might be better to go for the longer board if you are just wanting to do faster paddling and more longer distance paddling.
If you want a board to cover more all types of panelling including maybe catching a few waves and still look towards the smaller 10'8 board. Does that help? Thanks Reuben
@@SUPboardermag this is fantastic and cleared up many details. I will hold off the purchase and save for a 12’ Cruise Carbon. It will fit me better, based upon the points raised, and it has numerous extras that you have pointed out in the review. Thank you for taking the time to reply and provide clarity.
No worries, we're here to help. Happy paddling Reuben
Would you recommend this board or the sandbank cruiser reef? Thanks
Hey Steve. I think If I was a heavier rider 85kg+ I would possibly push more towards the bluefin because it's a heavier board that will be harder to move around for a lighter paddler but offer a little bit more stiffness. I feel that both paddle the same on the water. But the sandbanks is lighter to use overall. Thanks Reuben
This Sup is made by welded technology? Welded board? Thank you.
Hey Danijel We are not sure if they are, but we will find out. Thanks reuben
I've been debating between the bluefin 15' cruise tandem and the body glove 15' tandem for awhile now, any recommendations on which board I should go with?
Bluefin are know for their 5 year warranty on boards which is always a safe bet when choosing your SUP. But it also depends on your needs. If you just want a board to mess around on and do some leisurely paddles, you may find the Body Glove is the choice. Bluefin would be the pick for a longer lasting board. Hope this helps. Beau
My 15 tandem from Body glove blew in the second time we used . Went to two bluefin carbon we will see .
How does it do in the ocean
These boards would be fine to paddle in the ocean. They have good stability and stiffness to manage the bumps of the ocean. Thanks, Beau
Hi I’m looking at the 15ft version for the occasional tandem use would you recommend this or go for the 12 ft version
No then don't.
SUPboarder sorry that doesn’t make sense
I like the carrying strap on the 12 foot. A pity they don’t do one for the 108. Looking at the rings on the 108 for the kayak they are not at the balance point for the board so can not be used. Pity.
Such a shame. Lots of people are liking the shoulder straps on boards. Thanks for sharing. Beau
Will the paddle sink with the 10.8 version?
Hi Japyoo, To be honest I've seen many three-piece basic glass and Aluminium paddles sink. But this is only after they've been in the water for maybe 5 to 10 minutes while the kids are playing around on the board and left the paddles in the water. It's usually to do with the plastic paddle blades that do not hold any buoyancy inside. Carbon and glass blades have foam inside the top on the blade. Which gives them a lot more buoyancy. I hope that helps Reuben
Can’t decide between the waterwalker 132 and bluefin 12’ carbon cruise.. I’m 6’6 and 210 pound .. please help
Both boards will take your weight. It is really all about if you want to go for a longer board with more glide which would be better for longer distance paddling. The 12 will offer you this.
But the Thurso will offer you a board that turns easier. Therefore it will be better if you wanted to catch a wave with it too. Make sense? Thanks Reuben
This vid was so to the point . Hopefully narrowed down my choice . Cheers
Glad it was helpful
Thanks, lots of really helpful info here .
Glad to hear it!
How about SUP Yoga? How do these board fair for this sort of activity?
Hi Amanda. Thanks for your question. The 10'8 would work well for it. The only thing about doing Yoga on iSUPs is sometimes it's easier to do it on thinner boards (ie 5" thick) (These Bluefins are 6"). So then you are a little closer to the water making it easier to balance. Depending on your weight you may find that if you are really getting into yoga then a thinner board is better, but for paddling and doing a small yoga session every time you go out Im sure these Bluefins will be fine. Hope that makes sense?? Thanks Reuben
@@SUPboardermag ok, so would you go Bluefin Cruise or Bluefin Carbon Cruise? I was thinking the 12' would give more room to move around as well. I'm under 150 lbs and 5'2".. I'm guessing the 10'8 would likely work for me anyway.
@@amandaherlinger4433 Hey, as you’re a lighter paddler I would look at the Cruise 12'. You wont need a super stiff board. The Cruise range is easily stiff enough for what you want. Im 165lbs and I would be happy using the Cruise range of boards. Thanks Reuben
When looking at various SUP brands that have a thickness of 6 inches, I've noticed that some of them sit higher in the water. Can anyone explain this please as i'm struggling to get my head around it.
Most likely an air pressure thing. The more air in your the iSUP the higher it will sit in the water.
Hey Matt check out one of our older videos, it may help :What thickness iSUP is best? Pros and cons ua-cam.com/video/G_em-BtrlpU/v-deo.html
@@SUPboardermag I'm fairly new to SUP and want an all round board with a bit more glide and touring ability over surf use.
I love the 9kg cross weave construction of the Quroc and the carbon paddle and more portable bag it comes with but the Bluefin Carbon looks bullet proof and stiff as can be. What should I do?
Which is the faster/ better handling board? Does that extra stiffness make all the difference or does the lighter board make for a better paddle?
Which would you choose?
@@OrgoneAlchemy MMM hard one. How much do you weigh? A lighter person could be better off going for a lighter and maybe not so stiff board. Also a lighter rider wont feel the flex difference of these 2 board types. The Bluefin a super tough board and really well made. This question is I think something a lot of people are going to be asking. When you are paddling the Bluefins on the water the weight of the boards doesn't really effect the paddling performance. I guess it really comes down to how much you have to transport the board inflated and deflated to and from the water. A lighter board will always be easier for this. How this helps a little. Thanks Reuben
@@SUPboardermag Cheers Ruben, I'm thinking of flying and then taking the train to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for a session and looking at the weight I'm thinking the Quroc will be a better bet in transit. Interesting you mention that when paddling the Bluefins on the water the weight of the boards doesn't really effect the paddling performance. I've heard it said that the Crossover boards are great fun to paddle and I assumed that the light weight nature probably carried through to performance making my choice a bit easier but if this is not a factor I'll have to base my decision on other factors.
I weigh about 95kg so maybe the extra stiffness won't make so much difference to me. On the other hand I would assume the extra layers in the build makes the Bluefin's a better proposition as a long term purchase, are the Quroc's noticeably flimsy by comparison? Perhaps the only other factor which might decide it is glide. Does either board have a significantly better glide over the other?
Thinking of buying one, I'm 6 foot 2, can anyone help, do i have to have a 12 foot board being this height, or will i be OK with the 10 foot 8?
Hi Clarke. It really comes down to the boards width that will give you the most stability. Going for the longer 12 foot board will make it faster to paddle but no more stable than the 10 8. If you are just looking for an all-round board to paddle and have fun on the 10 eight will be fine at your height as long as you weigh under 120 kg. If you weigh more than this then you might want to look at a wider-based board. Thanks Reuben
Ordered and received a Cruise 12’ but returned it due to quality issue. The Bluefin community lists a whole host of problems. Gonna pay up for a Red Paddle Co Ride 10’ 8”
Thanks for your feedback we have some new 2021 boards here with us now so will have a look and see what we think. The quality of the last review boards was spot on. Thanks Reuben
@@SUPboardermag If I order the Cruise now, which the website says will ship late September, would that be the 2020 or 2021?
But can you sit in mini camping chairs on them? xD ;p
Yeah you could do... But we will need to see a photo of that. lol
@@SUPboardermag I did it just last Sunday. The video is my newest upload. :)
Good review
Could you please review Z-Ray R line range🙏. You are very objective! And great video!
Thanks for your comment on suggestion. There are some many iSUP boards out there, we are finding it hard to get them all done. But I will put it on the long list :-). Thanks Reuben
Hi i have just bought bluefin 12" carbon, can somebody tell me which kind of Valve they use. i need to know for to buy an electric pump. thx in advance
Hey Xavier. 99% of iSUPs including Bluefin use the same values. Any SUP pump will fit them. The only thing you may have to change but unlikely is the rubber washers on the pumps. But most pumps come with spares of these. Thanks Reuben
@@SUPboardermag thx for answer, could you recommand 1 good electric pump on rechargeable battery ?
thx Xavier
Thanks , very helpfull video. But the cruise comes in the 1 size only it seems..
Thanks, we believe they do a 10'8 , 12' and a 15'. bluefinsupboards.com/paddle-board/ Is this what you mean?
@@SUPboardermag Yeah thanks , on Amazon they only have 10'8 cruise..
12kg and 15kgs. That's pretty heavy for isups, right? Although that improves the stiffness of course. Are you guys also going to review the new 2019 Mistral inflatable boards, with the Woven Fusion Layer Technology? They are really light (less than 9kgs for the 12'6). Would be great to see a review of them!
Mistral is a brand that we would love to look at. We will see what we can do. Thanks for your comment and suggestion.
I'm sure the carbon 12 is 17kg on there web, I don't really care too much about a few kilos as I'd believe the materials should be more superior with a longer life span, blufin all the way with a 5 year warranty, beat that competition! update, our 12 is 15kg, and loads of comments about how ridgid it looks on the water, on the water it movers with ease, and is responsive, love it! packing is something we are still getting used to with the ridgid materials though
@@eddiebears1 I agree. If you're not worried about the weight the boards are solid. Thanks Reuben
How would the 10'8 handle surf? Would it be good for small to medium waves?
Like any iSUPs it will ride and get you into the waves. Waves of up to waist high will be a-lot of fun. But it will really only want to trim and ride along the wave. The thicker 6" iSUPs are never that good at turning due to the rail shape. Hope that makes sense? Reuben /SUPboarder
Very good information
Thanks
Thanks very much. Brilliant 😎
Very welcome!
Hi everybody, could somebody recommand a good electric pump on rechargeable battery ?
We have been playing around with this one lately and its pretty good. www.stxparts.com/product/electric-pump-incl-battery/ But good to hear about what other people have got. We haven't done a review on it sorry. Thanks Reuben
Worst customer service. My board arrived without the fins and repair kit after waiting for one month. I’m returning it! Never again
O thats not good 🙁. In their defence regarding the long wait. Most brands (almost all) are completely out of stock of boards at the moment due to the Covid virus and the popularity of Sup this summer. So the wait is very much normal this year. Can they not just send you some fins asap? Thanks Reuben
SUPboarder yes I asked them for the missing items. Unfortunately, they don’t have it in stock. I’m still waiting their response and the return label...4 days now.