The line of Needlenose SUPs from Sea Eagle stands head and shoulders above most other inflatable paddleboards. They cost more, however, the custom design and special features make the investment worth it if you want to keep up with the hardboards…
What Makes a Needle Nose Inflatable SUP Different?
The Needlenose SUPs outperform other inflatable paddleboards because of their patented “Needle nose” design. Basically, the straight, sharp and low-rise nose of this SUP enables the board to efficiently cut through water, wind and waves.
In other words, because the bow of the board doesn’t turn upward, there is less surface area to slow the board down.
Therefore, the hydrodynamic design lets it move faster with less effort, performing more like a hardboard. In fact, the nose itself is actually constructed of rigid ABS plastic.
In addition, the built-in kick tail lets you pivot and kick turn a lot easier. I see very few iSUPs with this feature.
If you want to get into paddleboard racing, but prefer an iSUP over traditional boards, the Sea Eagle Inflatable SUP gives you a big advantage. Plus, it costs less and is much easier to carry on a plane (…if you want to enter a race in Hawaii or Florida, for example). 😉
In my opinion, these stand-up paddleboards make a perfect choice for regular paddlers or people who want to race. On the other hand, if you simply want to have fun paddleboarding occasionally, you may want to save a few hundred dollars and invest in a less expansive package like the ISLE Explorer or the Jimmy Styks SUP.
Each Sea Eagle Needlenose SUP Package Includes:
- Inflatable Paddleboard
- 3-Part Adjustable Composite Fiberglass SUP Paddle
- High Pressure Air Pump with Pressure Gauge
- Slide-in Skeg
- Carrying Backpack
- Repair Kit
- Get it Here
Note: The fiberglass paddle that comes in this package is a lightweight, higher-end paddle (better for racing). These typically cost at least double what the heavier aluminum paddles cost that usually come with other iSUP packages. In short: you’re getting a valuable upgrade here.
Sea Eagle SUP Comparison Chart:
Sea Eagle Paddle Boards:
- NN116 Sea Eagle for smaller people under 200 lbs
- NN126 Sea Eagle for average-size people under 225 lbs
- NNi26R Sea Eagle for racing (4″ narrower & 3 lbs lighter than the 126)
- Sea Eagle NN14 Deluxe Package with kayak seat & additional kayak paddle
