Stand Up Paddle Boards Construction

Posted by rosiejoy on January 3rd, 2021

The materials used to make a sup boards determine its life expectancy, performance, and price. Some of the materials that make up a sup board are fiberglass, carbon fiber, plastics, and wood.

Let’s delve further into the construction of a sup board for a better and informed decision while choosing one.

Paddle Board Design

3D Sup Designs

Thanks to technology, most sup boards are now being designed using 3D technology the same way as surfboards. This technology allows for testing of the board’s buoyancy and performance before it is even constructed. It is also very efficient and precise.

This technology allows manufacturers to:

  • Make new boards based on customer feedback.

  • Increase efficiency, thereby lowering consumer costs

  • Design new boards faster

SUP Materials

Solid paddle boards are commonly made of fiberglass or wood. Inflatables Sups are made of tough PVC plastic. Most paddle boards are made of one of these materials:

  • Foam

  • Fiberglass and epoxy resin

  • Carbon fiber

  • PVC and Polycarbonates

Solid Paddle Boards Construction

Most solid paddle boards use expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam as a core. The foam core is then covered with different materials such as PVC Veneer, epoxy materials, and fiberglass for strength and long life. The less the density of the foam core, the lighter the board.

Plastic Sup Construction

A plastic paddle board is rotomolded where a piece of solid Polyethylene plastic is rotated and molded into a paddle board shape. Advantages of these constructions are:

  • Inexpensive and widely available

  • They are durable and can withstand dings and scratches

Foam Construction

Foam sups boards are constructed from a foam-based EPS core. They are also called soft top paddle boards. Pros and cons are:

  • Cost less and are and are durable as they do not get easily dented.

  • They are easier to transport but still take a lot of space.

  • They are not durable as they easily get dented.

Fiberglass Sup Construction

Fiberglass paddle boards are made of Expanded Polystyrene- core foam blank. Fiberglass SUP construction pros and cons are:

  • The costs are higher for these stand up paddle boards

  • They are difficult to transport and store

  • They are not durable and are easily dinged and scratched.

Carbon Construction

Carbon paddle boards use foam cores and carbon layering. Some carbon boards have a fiberglass layer on top of the carbon fiber. Pros and cons for carbon paddle boards are:

  • They are not cheap, but they are very durable.

  • They are light thus easy to transport and store

Inflatable Paddle Construction

These are made using drop stitch technology, where two layers of polyester fabric and polyester threads are stitched together. An air-tight coating is made outside the surfaces of both sides of the materials. To ensure the board is airtight, seam tape is glued over each seam.

Pros and cons are:

  • They cost as low as foam paddle boards.

  • They are very easy to store and transport when deflated

  • Isups are light and very durable

Conclusion

Knowledge of paddle board construction will greatly help choose the right sup board for your outdoor water activities.

Like it? Share it!


rosiejoy

About the Author

rosiejoy
Joined: May 2nd, 2018
Articles Posted: 7

More by this author