Ultrastable and with a displacement hull for smooth tracking, the is the Unsinkable Molly Brown of SUPs.聽
Packability and聽Storage
When broken down into three pieces (a process that聽takes no more than five minutes), this聽SUP is very easy to handle. I crammed it into the backseat and trunk of my hatchback Saab and had room left over for a weekend鈥檚 worth of food, drink, and clothing. As for storage, you鈥檒l need space under a queen-size bed, a roomy closet, or an outdoor patio. It may break down, but it鈥檚 still got a bulky hardshell. The good news:聽ratcheting it all back into place again takes about ten minutes.聽
The SUP is equipped with a dry-storage hatch for lunch, cup holders for two water bottles, a retractable drop skeg for easier navigation, and, in case the standing gets too intense, an optional inflatable seat. 聽
Durability
The hard plastic shell feels indestructible and can be dragged onto rocks, sand, or a dock with no harm done. For longevity鈥檚 sake, handle the board with a little loving care so as not to wear out the plastic ratcheting strap on the connecting buckles.聽
Size and聽Fit
The weighs 57 pounds and felt ideal for my 5'10″, 142-pound frame. The weighs 62 pounds and is designed for heftier riders. 聽聽
The Competition
The one-piece ($700), designed by surfing legend , doesn鈥檛 have the breakdown capability or the dry storage, but it does crush the Rum Runner on the water with its beautifully sleek touring design featuring a displacement hull, penetrating nose and two deep channels, and a snap-in fin on the base to keep it tracking straight. If you鈥檙e interested in performance, go with the Imagine Fit. 聽
The recently reimagined聽inflatable (11 feet, $949; 12.5 feet, $1,049) has the same do-it-all characteristics of the Rum Runner, minus the dry storage. The six-inch dropstitch material, made from thousands of high-tensile threads that聽allow聽it to be inflated to 15 psi, makes for a rigid, nimble ride suitable for small waves and flat water. When inflated, the 11-foot聽board weighs in at a mere 22 pounds, almost a third the weight of the Rum Runner.聽
Bottom Line
A packable, road-worthy SUP that sets up in under five minutes and excels on flat water. If you fly to your water fix, or use the board on fast-moving water, you'll want to go with an inflatable.聽
But if you live in a small space within driving distance of flat water, want an alternative to a kayak or canoe to tool around in for hours, and don鈥檛 intend to do any racing, this is the board for you.聽