California Board Company (CBC) stands out as our last contender.
A person's first impression of this board will be its price. Compared to the Driftsun board, it is more affordable than the Lifetime SUP at the beginning of the article. Are you getting what you pay for, or is it a case of buyer beware? The answer is maybe. The differences between this board and its predecessors appear below.
What's Good And What's Questionable
CBC paddle board s also come in a package with an adjustable paddle, a neoprene ankle strap, a leash, and instant padded roof racks, which you don't find on other boards. Although the roof racks might be a great selling point to some, you should be aware that a couple of users didn't see them as very sturdy and cautioned against using them at high speeds or for long distances.
With a foam core, the CBC board is the lightest out of the three, weighing only 21 pounds. However, unlike the other boards, this board did not receive high marks for its durability. If you take him for a paddle, Cujo may scratch your panel, and be careful not to let him do that. Additionally, it is more prone to dents, so users need to be gentle when handling it.
Despite its foam construction, some users were concerned about the board's surface feeling slippery. You're at the mercy of the materials since there's no deck pad. However, if this proves to be an issue for you, there is an easy solution: buy some board wax to use on your surfboard, making the board coarser for a better grip. Last but not least, user experiences vary.
Most paddlers well received the board, but a surprising number complained about its instability and happiness. As a board marketed towards beginners, this is a significant drawback. They are still offering a rigid stand-up paddle board for under $500, an attractive price for many buyers.
Does the CBC deliver what it promises? Definitely. You'll have to consider some tradeoffs with this board before buying seriously.
A Final Breakdown
Despite the great value all of these boards offer at a great price, each has some drawbacks. The Lifetime Horizon SUP is by far the cheapest paddleboard. Even though the Driftsun Soft Top HSUP receives high marks for quality and performance, it is also the heaviest of the boards. Despite that, it still qualifies for our 'affordable' rating. Out of the three SUPs, this is the closest to a traditional one.
For those looking for an affordable alternative to the other wildly expensive rigid boards, the Driftsun 'All-Around' board will provide maximum enjoyment for the lowest price. The CBC board falls right in the middle regarding price and affordability, and price alone might make this a good buy. In this case, however, the quality and performance may suffer too much for such a low price.
You will have to decide how much price drives your purchasing decision. You may want to start looking at one of these three if you're looking for a cheap SUP.