3 Best Blackfin Paddle Boards In 2023

Blackfin was founded by Steve Elder and David Erwin in Jacksonville, Florida in 2013. Blackfin boards are designed in the state of Florida and the brand is one of the most popular inflatable paddle board brands in the United States.

Blackfin is a premium range of iSUPs owned by the company iRocker. iRocker is the parent company of Blackfin and Nautical, which are the premium and affordable product lines, respectively. In this article we will discuss Blackfin boards and their range, giving reviews on some of their best boards as well as discussing a little bit more about their parent company, iRocker.

If you want to find more information about iRocker and their products you can find some of our reviews here, including their all-round range and sport range.

Check out, our complete guide to The Best Paddle Boards

Check out our Featured Blackfin SUP Boards

All the Blackfin Paddle Boards We've tested

The Blackfin Model X is a 10’6” inflatable SUP board in the premium range. It’s one of the best all-around recreational paddle boards currently available. The board offers a really enjoyable paddle boarding experience due to its innovative design and construction that provides exceptional stability, intuitive tracking and overall ergonomic control of the board.

The board is extremely stable due to its width, yet still very maneuverable making it great for beginners and intermediate paddlers alike. Additionally, the board is great for paddlers who want to try fishing or yoga while on their paddle board.

We recommend consdiering the Blackfin Model X inflatable SUP board to paddle boarders looking to upgrade or start off with something that can do a little more than most other options. This board is very popular, despite a higher than average price. Read our in-depth review to find out why.

Specs & Features

  • Best Suited For: Any level/all-rounder/travellers
  • Material: Triple layer composite PVC with drop stitched inner core layer
  • Volume: 330 liters
  • Capacity: 450 lbs
  • Dimensions: 10’6” x 35” x 6”

Our Overall Review

We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:

4.8

Things we like:

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    Durable and robust construction
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    Great all-rounder recreational board
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    Offers great stability and control
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    Fantastic carbon fiber paddle
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    High quality range of accessories
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    19 D-rings for attaching gear
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    Many action mounts for additional attachments
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Things we don't like:

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    Width can be a problem for smaller paddlers to handle
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    Center fin box is no longer the standard US fin box
Click to see more
Click to see more
Read full review
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Where to buy:

Blackfin Model X 10’6”

Amazing for Everything

The Blackfin XL inflatable Paddle board is a premium, high quality sup board for any level.  At 35 inches wide and with a remarkable amount of rigidity, the XL is ideal for fishing but is good for touring too. On account of all the specialized mounts and because of the extra stability it’s one of the more versatile SUPs out there.

During testing, we compared it to the Model X and found both to be great all arounders. But the XL has the benefit of also being a very decent touring board–surprisingly so.

In terms of paddling, the board performs exceptionally well.  The carbon paddle is great, the same one across the whole Blackfin line. This SUP is also not restricted to experience level, as the Blackfin XL glides over the water rather than through it, as the X seems to do with taller, heavier paddlers.

We recommend the Blackfin XL inflatable paddle board for riders who want a premium, recreational paddle board experience with the possibility to try fishing or touring. The same advantages that the action mounts provide are, at the same time, disadvantages for performing yoga. The mounts get in the way, so we don’t recommend it for yogis.

Specs & Features

  • Best Suited For: Any level/touring/fishing/yoga
  • Material: Triple layer composite PVC with drop stitched inner core layer
  • Volume: 380 liters
  • Capacity: 485 lbs
  • Dimensions: 11’6” x 34” x 6”

Our Overall Review

We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:

4.8

Things we like:

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    Amazing stability
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    Great maneuverability
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    Fantastic carbon fiber paddle
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    All the right accessories and more
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    19 D-rings for attaching equipment
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    20 Action mounts for that perfect shot of you paddling
Click to see more

Things we don't like:

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    While very stable, the action mounts will get in the way of performing yoga
Click to see more
Click to see more
Read full review
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Where to buy:

Blackfin XL 11’6”

Ideal for touring

The Blackfin V 12’6” inflatable paddle board is a fantastic and intuitive touring board. The new model of this board is designed and constructed for providing riders with a consistently comfortable and controlled paddling experience across different water conditions.

The board does this by being very stable, especially for a touring board (even beginners can get a feel for touring using this paddle board). The Blackfin V is great for covering large distances quickly as it excels in picking up speed and offers great tracking and easy maneuverability for making corrections to the direction of the board.

We recommend the Blackfin V inflatable paddle board for paddle boarders who want a great all-round recreational touring paddle board. It is especially perfect for paddlers who want to buy their first touring paddle board as the extra stability that this board provides helps beginners balance and creates an overall more enjoyable experience for them.

Specs & Features

  • Best Suited For: Any level/touring
  • Material: Triple layer composite PVC with drop stitched inner core layer
  • Volume: 380 liters
  • Capacity: 485 lbs
  • Dimensions: 12’6” x 32” x 6”

Our Overall Review

We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:

4.4

Things we like:

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    Provides a good level of speed
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    Great level of stability
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    Great maneuverability
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    Fantastic carbon fiber paddle
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    All the right accessories and more
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    19 D-rings for attaching equipment
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    2 Action mounts for attachments
Click to see more

Things we don't like:

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    Wider than most touring boards on the market
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    Center fin box is no longer the standard US fin box
Click to see more
Click to see more
Read full review
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Where to buy:

Blackfin V 12’6”

Related Reviews

Blackfin SUP Board Accessories

The Blackfin inflatable SUP board packages include a number of awesome, high-quality, accessories. An iRocker 3 piece adjustable carbon fiber paddle with a nylon blade and an iRocker coiled leash are provided to give you the best paddle experience on the water. The Blackfin packages also include an iRocker twin-chamber, triple-action hand pump and a versatile travel backpack.

  • Paddle: The iRocker paddle provided for the Blackfin models, is a 3 piece adjustable carbon shaft paddle with a nylon blade. As well as providing the rider with strong, powerful strokes in the water it is also ultra-lightweight and weighs only 28 oz. It also floats indefinitely if dropped in the water.
  • Leash: The included Blackfin leash is comfortable and sturdy, stretching up to 10’ when fully extended. It also provides a small pocket to place keys.
  • Pump: The twin-chamber hand pump has been upgraded since the previous 2019 model of the board and iRocker claims that this model provides 100% faster inflation of the board (to be taken with a grain of salt).
  • Backpack: The Blackfin travel bag is a versatile and comfortable backpack. The backpack also features wheels, cushioned shoulder straps, waist support and back support. It is also spacious and fits all the accessories provided with a little room left over to stash valuables.
Further Optional Accessories from iRocker
  • iRocker paddle
  • iRocker leash
  • iRocker 12v electric pump
  • iRocker SUP to kayak conversion kit
  • iRocker kayak blade
  • iRocker 25L roto-molded cooler
  • iRocker SUP anchor
  • iRocker backpack

Blackfin SUP Board Features

Each Blackfin iSUP comes in a sleek, durable and stylish body. Because of the way they have been manufactured, durability is a guarantee. These boards may cost a little extra but for good reason, they will endure tougher water conditions regularly and will last a long time with little wear and tear. Perfect for beginners and experienced paddle boarders, all of Blackfins iSUPs come with lots of comfortable added extras.

All of their boards include two bungee storage areas at the front and rear of the boards to store personal items. They all come with at least 3 handles making them easy to transport to and from the water, as well as shoulder straps. Alongside these added features each Blackfin SUP board comes with 20 D-rings (for accessories like a kayak seat or an SUP wind sail), 8 camera mounts for the perfect action shots and built-in fishing rack mounts.

One of the best qualities of the Blackfin SUP range is that their boards are made for everyone from beginners to experienced paddle boarders. Blackfin boards, with their high weight capacity, allow for a sturdy and stable experience. Such a high weight capacity also means that the boards can support up to two adult riders, this makes the board ideal for recreational use.

The incredible stability ensures riders maintain their balance in rougher water conditions and is one of the best features of the Blackfin SUP board.

Although earlier production of the boards might have resulted in slightly heavier SUPs than some other premium models, their added handles, shoulder straps and excellent travel bags make them easy to transport.

And in 2020, iRocker made a redesign with triple layer PVC on composite fabrics shaving 20% of weight off. The new boards are not heavy enough to cause any discomfort or distress for people not accustomed to carrying SUPs when packed away or from house to trail to beach. In our opinion, neither are the older ones.

When creating the Blackfin range, iRocker ensured that these boards would be inclusive and serve everybody’s needs. Seems like they’re rocking that one.

Why we recommend Blackfin SUP Boards

iRocker has an incredible reputation in the iSUPs world and their premium range Blackfin demonstrates the expertise of the company and exceptional products they make. The Blackfin boards are made for a range of different levels from beginners to professionals and include an array of features that will upgrade even the most avid paddle boarder’s experience.

All these features definitely ensure positive feedback from the Blackfin range of SUPs, however, the real deal-breaker is their durability which is due to how they have been manufactured. As a subsidiary from the reputable iRocker, these boards are the amalgamation of iRockers best features and boards and are guaranteed to provide you with an incredible paddling experience.

iRocker has an excellent reputation in the SUP universe, and with good reason. When buying a Blackfin board you are sure to enjoy the helpful and friendly customer service experience offered by Blackfin. Including a guarantee that your board has been made to the highest of standards.

iRocker, and Blackfin, are famous for their low return and defective manufacturing rate, and with a 2 year warranty you are sure to expect a durable and tough board which will endure most water conditions. Their service and accommodating ways are well-known too, should something go awry (it happens to the best of them…).

It’s clear that there are plenty of benefits of the Blackfin range, let’s take a look at each board and their specific characteristics for a more in-depth review of the Blackfin iSUP range.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Where are Blackfin stand up paddle boards made?

Blackfin SUPs are the premier range of boards made by iRocker.

How long does it take to inflate a Blackfin inflatable SUP board?

The Blackfin Inflatable SUP boards can be inflated in roughly 12 minutes with an electric pump or 15 minutes with the included twin-chamber hand pump.

What pressure can a Blackfin inflatable SUP board be inflated to?

The Blackfin Inflatable SUP boards need to be inflated to 15 PSI.

What do the Blackfin inflatable SUP boards come with?

The Blackfin Inflatable SUP boards come with a paddle, 3 fins, leash, pump and backpack.

Are the Blackfin inflatable SUP boards covered by warranty?

The Blackfin Inflatable SUP boards have a 2 year warranty on manufacturing defects.

Do you have favorite Blackfin SUP Board?

What do you love about them?

Let us know in the comments below what you think makes the perfect Blackfin SUP Board.

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