Product Spotlight for March: Boardworks SUP Raven 12.6 Stand Up Paddleboard

Southwind Kayak Center is now carrying Boardworks SUPs!

Review by Preston Ong

Introduction:

Winner of the Mens Journal Gear of the Year award, the Raven 12.6 is one of Boardworks SUP's most popular boards, and for good reason. Built for speed, the Raven combines stability, smooth paddling, quality construction and sharp aesthetics.

Construction:

The Raven 12.6 is a displacement hull board made for touring and long distance paddling. The sandwich molded construction board, made out of fibgerglass and epoxy resins is very durable yet light board at only 28 pounds. The large deckpad feels very comfortable on the feet and can easily accomodate coolers, sitting crates and fishing containers. The bamboo veneer on the front of the board is exquisite and the board itself is covered in Pacific Northwest themed graphics, with a Raven emblem on the top and bottom of the board. The numerous tiedowns on the front allow you to bring food, containers or a life jacket on board. The thickness of the side rails can make this board somewhat more difficult to carry than a standard board, but the popout handle makes transportation much easier.

Paddling:

Upon paddling this board in the flatter conditions of Newport Harbor, it became apparent to me how stable this board is. Standing on the back of the board for more aggressive turns was very easy for my 6 foot 195 lb frame. The flat rocker makes this board really shine when paddled straight; keeping course was very easy. Attaching a cooler/milk crate to the back of the board is a great option, as I found that I could sit down and paddle with great comfort and stability. The higher, built in recessed deck made for a very dry paddle, which is nice as the water temperature is still cold this time of the year.

When I paddled this board out of the harbor, I found that while the ride was still smooth, the large side rails of this board seemed to catch wind and swells more dramatically. Despite this, the forgiving stability of the board meant that I was paddling confidently even in choppier conditions.

Summary:

The Boardworks Raven 12.6 is a mid range touring board, perfect for fitness and recreational racing in flatter water conditions. Lighter paddlers can also appreciate this board in choppier, ocean conditions due to its stability. The Raven is an excellent choice for those wanting to transition from the recreational aspect of the sport to that of touring but still want the versatility afforded by a stable and easy to paddle board.

Specifications:

Height 12'6"
Nose 13 9/16"
Width 30 3/16"
Tail 15 5/8"
Thickness  6 15/16"
Fins Included Single Fin

Novice up to 250lbs
Intermediate up to 270lbs
Advanced up to 300lbs