Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ - Review 2023

Review

• DIVEIN.com Score: 4.8/5 
• Construction: 4.8/5
• Stability: 4.9/5
• Maneuverability: 4.9/5
• Portability: 4.7/5
• Price/Quality: 4.7/5

This board has been getting a lot of praise for years now – and that’s to be expected. It doesn’t fail in the performance department and neither does it disappoint in quality. Below, see the features it boasts, the accessories that come with it, and the versatility it provides for paddlers, and join the club of those who rave about the Cruise Carbon 10’8.

Features

• The Air Duo system is another feature we can’t get enough of. It consists of the inflation and central loop chambers that work together to ensure the SUP board is rigid under every circumstance.
• The Croco-diamond deck pad deserves special recognition too. Despite looking stylish, it’s also functional. The crocodile-textured material means no slippage even during the toughest turns. It provides extra warmth on chillier tours too.
• D-rings, D-rings, D-rings. There can never be too many of them, that we know for sure. The 14 D-rings integrated into the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 nail the task of helping you clip stuff onto the SUP board. When combined with the 4 straps that run along the length of the cargo cords, the 2020 Cruise Carbon gives even more storage.
• There are 5 handles for you to grab onto when carrying the board: one in the center, one on both nose and tail, and two on both sides. No need to ask a friend to help you transport the board from your house to the nearby lake – you can do it yourself now.

Accessories

The price of the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 SUP board becomes completely justifiable when you take into account the huge bundle of accessories it comes with. And we’re not just talking about the backpack and a paddle – the triple-action pump, a coiled leash, and kayak conversion kit are a part of the deal too. See for yourself.

• Paddle: Since you can’t paddle without a paddle, it’s the first thing you should be looking for when receiving your SUP board in the mail. This paddle is a lightweight carbon-fiber paddle that weighs less than the typical aluminum SUP paddles.
• Pump: The double-chamber triple-action pump is equipped with an ergonomic grip and slim design. Inflating the two chambers is quick when using all 3 settings gradually. The handles aren’t removable though.
• Leash: A 10-feet coiled leash is a gold standard for Bluefin SUP boards. The one that’s included in this bundle features a Neoprene band and a velcro rail-saver, both of which are nice features.
• Backpack: A pack that can efficiently store all of your paddling essentials and more is really nice. Bluefin realized this early on and added a spacious backpack with an extra back padding and a reinforced zipper webbing. With wheels included on the newer model, you can still put it on your back when biking without too much labor.
• Kayak Kit: Who doesn’t like 2-in-1 deals? Those who say so are probably lying. Cruise Carbon 10’8 can be quickly converted into a kayak, which makes it a dual-purpose board. If you’re tired from paddling and want to enjoy the views without having to stay on top of your balance game, convert the board into a kayak in a snap of your two fingers. Yes, it’s that straightforward.
• Waterproof Phone Case: Get used to it – accessories for electronic devices are hardly a novelty anymore. So, it’s only normal to be receiving them when purchasing an outdoor activity tool that implies you being out and about for half a day at the very least.
• Repair Kit: It includes PVC patches and a valve wrench. You probably won’t need to fix a tear or change a SUP valve but we recommend you keep it anyway. Just in case.

Stability

You would think that the short-ish length of the Bluefin Cruise Carbon board means it’s not stable. Fortunately, this isn’t the case. Thanks to the Flex Reduction System and the Air Duo inflation incorporated into the board, there isn’t much flexibility to it. And this is a good thing.

Feel free to make as many sharp turns as you want – the chances of you falling over are painfully low. We mean it when we say it – this is one of the most stable SUP boards on the market. (So, go and grab one ASAP, we guess?)

Maneuverability

The Cruise Carbon 10’8 is an advanced all rounder. It has a sporty feel to it that makes it very nimble. The responsiveness is pretty impressive. In fact, you could do some small-wave surfing.

We credit the pointed nose and the gripping deck pad for the board’s excellent performance. This combo helps with blasting through the lakes and rivers and executing some challenging tricks the most.

Portability

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 SUP board isn’t the easiest [but isn’t the most difficult either] to carry. It sits somewhere in between the iRocker All-Around 10’ and the Bluefin Cruise 12’ boards.

The carbon-reinforced side rails (the much-touted FRS) and the duo inflation chamber are the ones to blame for the ‘just okay’ portability. But this isn’t all that bad – the board still fits nicely into the backpack that comes with it and can be brought by car or by bike to the paddling destination.

Price/Quality Ratio

The Cruise Carbon boards are on the high-end price spectrum of SUPs. But there’s a reason for it. They provide some of the best quality materials that raise the bar for not only the construction but also the performance of SUP boards.

This board in particular outperforms a good chunk of the similar SUP boards. Think long-lasting quality and the wide range of accessories that you’d normally have to purchase separately. With this board, it’s covered. You’re getting all you need for a good paddling session in one package.

Do we recommend it?

There’s no doubt that the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 SUP board is an outstanding piece of equipment that is a real bargain for those looking to invest in a long-lasting board. It’s built from durable materials, offers exceptional performance, and comes with a  more-than-needed number of accessories to supplement the experience. What else is there to ask for?

Everyone who’s under 6 feet tall and under 200 pounds large will find it easy to use. In other cases, look into its 12’ counterpart that does the job just as well.