Nixy Monterey G4 Review

In this article, we will be going over the Nixy Monterey G4 and talk about some of the features that make this SUP criminally underrated.

We will also be doing a deep dive into what comes with the board, rate how it’s set up, and see how its on-water performance stacks up?

In this review I used the Nixy Newport G4 as a point of comparison when testing out this board and comparing the features of the Nixy Monterey. How did it do? Is it a good buy?

Nixy Monterey Paddle Board Review Ratings

Below is how I Rated the Nixy Monterey G4 model. Click the Links below to jump to each section.

Total Score: 8.8 (Average of Below Numbers)

• On-Water Performance – 8.4
  • Stability 9
  • Tracking 8.5
  • Speed 8
  • Maneuverability 8
• SUP Construction – 9.5
• Board Features – 9.2
  • Deck Pad 9.5
  • D Rings 9
  • Deck Bungees 9
  • Action Mounts: 10
  • Handles 8.5
• Accessories – 9.1
  • Backpack 9
  • Paddle 9
  • Pump 9
  • Fins 9.5
• Set-Up/ Take Down – 8

Who Should be Using the Nixy Monterey?

The Nixy Monterey is one of the top picks for those of all experience levels. The board’s length allows it to be a good passenger board for a family or go on an expedition tour of your local lakes. 

In Fact, this is a fantastic family board for the fact that Monterey has a double inflation chamber. Meaning if your board gets a leak you have a backup chamber that will keep you afloat for you to get back to shore safely. 

Its 34” width gives the Monterey more stability compared to many all-around boards on the market that are typically 32” wide. This makes it a great board for beginners to get their feet wet in the sport of paddleboarding. 

It is especially good for taller/ bigger individuals who want a board that feels stable when doing a majority of SUP related motions while on the water.

Lastly for those who like to have accessories and lots of doohickies added to your board, the Nixy Monterey provides a fantastic board that allows you to mount things like drink holders, rod holders as well as fishing racks thanks to its 2 Scotty mounts. More on this below…

What SUP Activities can the Nixy Monterey be Used For?

Because of its longer length and wider width, the Nixy Monterey can be used for a lot of different activities that require stabilization and balance. 

Expedition Paddling

In terms of overnight expeditions, this would be the top choice out of any of the Nixy paddleboard choices. The 11’6” length coupled with its 34” width gives you a larger platform compared to All-Around boards like the Nixy Newport G4, which is 1 foot smaller and 1 inch thinner. 

On top of this, the Nixy Monterey features the most storage of any Nixy Model with 3 rows of bungee storage at the front and the back of the board. This gives you a good amount of room for fold-up tents, chairs, sleeping bags, and other gear. Its 4 free D rings in the middle of the board also give you the opportunity to do some do-it-yourself strapping as well for those longer touring excursions.

Recreational Paddlers

While this board is built to go the extra mile in terms of accessory accessibility and board shape it still is a great board for those who want to paddle a bit more casually. 

The 34” stable platform allows you to get your sea legs relatively quickly. I would especially recommend this board to those of you who live near coastal conditions. Oftentimes chop can throw your balance off on thinner boards all-around boards. But with its 11’6” length and 34” width it gives you that bigger platform to stand on which is especially ideal for bigger/ taller guys and gals. 

SUP Fishing

If there was a SUP that Nixy had that got the nod for fishing it would be this one! Monterey is often forgotten about when you look at reviews around the internet. It shouldn’t be though. 

The Monterey features 10 M8 action mounts that can hold fishing rod holders and drink holders. The essential staple for any fisherman! Ontop of this the Monterey also features 2 Scotty mounts. While these Scotty mounts can support rod holders as well, they can also be used for a fishing rack! The Nixy adaptable fishing rack can hold an additional 2-rod holders.

Ok, so you’ve probably heard enough about action mounts for one day. So what about storage? As mentioned above the Monterey has a good amount of bungee deck webbing for things like tackle boxes as well as 4 free D rings in the middle to make your own contraption to strap coolers to the board. 

Of course, what’s the point in talking about fishing if you can’t stand on it. Thankfully the large platform that this board provides gives you a good amount of stability to fish even in slightly choppier waters. 

Tandem Use

While I’m not sure how stable the Monterey would be if two adults stood on it. It can at least hold 2 adults under 200 pounds who are sitting and using a tandem convertible kayak formation. 

“We used this board with about 375 lbs on the board. I was able to stand with the passenger sitting although things definetly got a bit squirlly at times! But we were able to paddle like this for at least 20 minutes with no men/ women going overboard!”

– Editors Notes

The most ideal tandem use for this SUP would be to have a small child or pup at the front of the board. The only thing we wish the Monterey had for this was grab handles. Like the ones, iRocker provides for its SUPs. 

Kayak Conversion

The Nixy Monterey is an excellent candidate for a good kayak conversion board. You can use Nixy’s Kayak seat and kayak paddle extension to turn this board into a suitable kayak hybrid.

Heck when I paddled it I actually found it tracked better than some of my old recreational kayaks I have!

SUP Yoga for Bigger Folks

While the Nixy Venice was rated the best SUP for yoga. It does have some limitations. Specifically for folks that are bigger or taller. Well, the Monterey may just be the perfect SUP for those folks who need that extra stability in the water. 

The only thing that may get in the way is the protrusion of the 2nd bladder that sticks out of the board a little bit. Just be mindful of this while placing your feet and hands on the deck.

Nixy Monterey On-Water Performance

Rating Factor	Score	Average SUP Score (All Around Boards)
Total On-Water Score	8.4	8.0
Stability Score	9 /10	8.3
Tracking Score	8.5 /10	7.8
Speed Score	8 /10	7.7
Manueverability Score	8 /10	8.1

While the Monterey maybe 34” wide, its 11’6” length does help give you more compromise in paddling making it a great vessel for longer travels. 

Stability

Stepping onto the Monterey I definitely felt less rocking or more “primary stability” compared to other models that have a shorter length and width. This was apparent as soon as I stepped from the Newport to the Nixy Monterey in a back to back stability test I did. 

I also felt like the Monterey had more of a stable feeling on the water. Infact, in my On-water performance video I called it a “unit”. To be honest that’s as good of a word I can think of for the Monterey’s stability. 

My first time trying to stand on the board was pretty simple coming from the kneeled position. I’m 6’1” and going from knees to standing I had very little kickback from the board. 

The stability was impressive both for standing still in the water and paddling forward. One of the things I noticed most about the Monterey compared to other boards I’ve tested is the fact that the Montereys extra bladder made the board feel more rigid while standing. 

Even when bouncing on it, there was less flex compared to the Nixy Newport.

“In hindsight after comparing a few stability oriented SUPS that are 34″ plus. The Monterey fairs well but I found models like the Gili Meno 11’6 and the Tower Xtreme to have more primary stability.”

– Editors Notes

Tracking

Monterey’s tracking ability was one of the most impressive features about this board. When you have a good 3 fin set-up and an 11’6” length and a streamlined body, good things usually happen. 

Tracking Factor	Paddle Strokes	Average Paddle Strokes (All Around)
Paddle Strokes To Keep Straight Course	10	5.8

When I was paddling the Monterey I counted around 10 casual paddle strokes until the board needed correcting. Paddling at a faster rate, the board also managed to track well and cut through the water sufficiently. In comparison to other 11’6″ boards the Monterey is one of the better tracking boards we have tested.

One of the things I noticed when comparing the Monterey with the Nixy Newport, was the fact that you have a much easier time edging in the Monterey. For those unfamiliar with edging its when you lean the board to one side and lean the rails of the board further into the water. This improved the tracking ability of the board when done correctly.

Speed

This may not be the speediest board in the Nixy lineup. That mention goes to the Nixy Manhattan G4 Plus. Customers have reported that the board can catch up or even beat some thinner boards. One customer from the Nixy website was quoted as saying this:

“It is fast enough, as my wife and daughter have a hard time keeping up, but it is hard for me to compare to other boards as I haven’t tried many.”

Chad R.

The board’s speed is greatly helped by the longboard shape and its 11’6” length which hydrodynamics-wise makes it smoother to paddle across the surface of the water. 

In my experience paddling at a faster pace, the Monterey did a good job for a board of its size and width. It was faster than the Meno 11’6″ and the Body Glover Performer 11 through a series of tests.

Maneuverability

The maneuverability of this board will be a bit more difficult compared to other all-around boards like the Nixy Newport. This is due to the fact that the board is longer than your average All-Around board profile. Longer boards usually require more effort to maneuver in tighter spots. 

Manueverability Factor	Paddle Strokes	Average Paddle Strokes (All Around SUP’s)
Paddle Strokes for Reverse Sweep Stroke	5	4.2
Paddle Strokes for Reverse Side Paddles	14	13.3

It also put the Monterey at a slight disadvantage to all-around boards like the Newport in narrower riverways as that extra bit of length can make it a bit more of a workout.

In my experience I was actually pleasantly surprised with the maneuverability of the Monterey. Sure it won’t beat the Newport or Venice in this category. But its responsiveness is respectable for a board of its length.

Nixy Monterey Specifications Deconstructed

• Type of Board: Touring/ Expedition
• Length: 11’6″
• Width: 34”
• Thickness: 6”
• Volume: 350L 
• Weight: 25 Lbs
• Maximum Capacity: 400 Lbs

Rating Factor	Score	Average Score (All Around)
Construction Score	9.5 /10	8.3

Much like the rest of the Nixy models, this board features woven drop stitch material which is sandwiched in PVC using a fusion layered technique that involves a machine press that fuses 2 layers of PVC into one single strong unit. 

The Monterey also features carbon side rails that give the sides more protection from outside objects or leaks that may occur in the seams. This carbon rail also helps give the board a bit of rigidity as well. 

All of these features are included in Nixy boards but the one thing that stands out about this board is the fact that it is double-chambered!. This means the board has 2 inflation chambers. One that surrounds the outer rim of the board and one located in the inner part of the deck pad you stand on. 

This gives you that extra layer of safety on the off chance the board does spring a leak and you need to get back. It also provides that extra wall of rigidity that helps the board keep its 6” form with higher capacities on board. 

Nixy Monterey Board Profile

The Monterey has a very similar board profile to a longboard but its narrow nose and tail follow the design inspirations of the Nixy Newport. 

While it is a wider board at 34” in width, its 11’6” frame does help offset the drag by giving you a longer profiled board. So while you may not win any SUP races with this board it still makes for a good touring companion for those long distance paddles.

“When compared to SUPs that were wider like the Gili Meno 11’6″ you could feel a noticable difference in speed thanks to the Montereys tapered tail and nose. This allowed the board to paddle through the water with less resistance.”

– Editors Notes

What’s On The Deck

Rating Factor	Score	Average SUP Score (All Around Boards)
Board Features Score	9.2	8.1
Deck Pad Score	9.5 /10	8.3
D-Rings Score	9 /10	8
Deck Webbing Score	9 /10	8.1
Action Mounts Score	10 /10	7.8
Handle Score	8.5 /10	8.2

Below we go through all the features that can be found on the deck of the Nixy Monterey G4.

Monterey Deck Pad

The traction pad of the Nixy Monterey, like the Venice, takes up a good portion of the board. This is not only great for multiple paddlers but also for cargo to have firm footing on the non-slip grip pad. 

I also really like the design they incorporated with the deck pad. The darker colors including the beige keep dirt and scuff marks from standing out. 

As mentioned above, the double chamber does protrude out a bit, but it does not get in the way of your feet placement on the board.

Monterey D Rings

The Monterey has the most D rings of any other Nixy model with 18 places in various places on the board including:

• 1 Towing D Ring
• 1 Ankle Leash D Ring
• 6 D Rings for Bungee Deck Webbing in the front
• 6 D Rings for Bungee Deck Webbing in the back
• 4 free D rings in the middle of the board

While 12 of the D rings are taken up by bungee deck webbing, the bungees are removable so if you had a lot of gear that required custom straps it can most definitely be done.

The 4 free D rings on the middle of the board allow for you to mount a bigger cooler like a Yeti or even a kayak seat or tow to turn this paddle board into a hybrid kayak. 

The remaining D rings are the towing and rear D rings. And yes you can be pulled by a wake boat on this. I just recommend not going too fast! It’s definitely not recommended for wakeboard speeds!

The rear D ring is usually used for an ankle leash but you could use it for some other purpose if you so wish.

Monterey Deck Bungees

As stated above the Monterey features 12 D rings that hold the deck bungees together. These bungees can be used for a wide variety of uses I’ll give you some ideas below.

• Dry Bags
• Sleeping Bags
• Fold Up Tents
• Speakers (I love using this on this SUP, Make sure you get a good speaker 😉 )
• Tackle boxes
• Water
• Small soft coolers

There are so many things to list here but these are the things that come to mind for me.

Monterey Action and Scotty Mounts

Above I’ve given you a gallery of the different viewpoints that the Monterey Action Mounts provide from a Cell Phone.

The Monterey gives you 10 M8 action mounts and 2 Scotty mounts! Making this the most accessory-friendly Nixy board there is. Fishermen take notice!

With the M8 Action mounts you can mount:

• Nixy Navigation Lights for night time paddling
• Cup Holders
• Phone Holders (See Pics)
• Action Camera Mounts
• Digital Camera Mounts
• Single Mount Fishing Rod holder

The addition of 2 Scotty mounts allows for:

• Quad mounted fishing rod holder
• Nixy Fishing Rack (which has 2 rod holders attached)
• Nixy Fishing Rack Base

While a lot of the M8 mounts are based around fishing needs you can also use them for documenting your journey. 

M8 mounts support cell phones, Go-Pros, and cameras which allows you to shoot from the front, middle, or rear of the board. The first thing I can think of that this would be handy for is filming epic paddling expeditions! Outdoor Youtubers and streamers you may have just found your board!

Handles

Like the rest of the Nixy line up the Monterey has 3 handles that you can use to carry the board or guide it in the water. In case you take a lil fall into the water the middle handle is usually the best one to grab to get back on!

Paddle Holder

This is one of the things that I have been a bit more critical of is the paddle holder. While it’s super handy for fishermen and SUP yogis to have, I personally don’t use it on my Newport. 

In my personal opinion, I feel that the paddle holder should be placed on the side of the board closer to the middle section, similar to how the Gili Meno 11’6″ places theirs. I also like the velcro design paddle holder over the bungee one but this is a pretty minor con.

Monterey Accessories Explained

Rating Factor	Score	Average SUP Score (All Around Boards)
Accessories Score	9.1 /10	7.9
Backpack Score	9 /10	8.1
Paddle Score	9 /10	7.8
Pump Score	9 /10	7.6
Fin Score	9.5 /10	8.1

One thing that impresses me about Nixy is how they go the extra mile with their accessories. It’s the little details that really help make this board have some of the best SUP accessories around for a board of its price range.

Nixy bag

In my opinion, the bulkiness of the Nixy bag is one of my favorite features. Picture this. 

You are coming back from a long day of paddling and you have to put the board back into the bag. You take off the fins, deflate it and roll it up as tight as possible, but the dang thing does not fit in the bag!

You unroll it and try again, same thing! Finally, you’ve had enough, you are tired, you want to go home so you just jam the paddles in with the bag partially opened and call it a day.

With the Nixy bag, you don’t have to go through this. The bag measures 39” X 17” X 9” so there is more than enough room to fit your folded board with the pump no problem. Although it must be said that the extra length and bladder does take up more room in the bag than most other Nixy paddle boards.

The bag itself comes with padded shoulders and side pockets for the paddles (I think this is genius personally, you don’t have to worry about sticking your paddles in the bag!). It also has a generously large front pocket where you can fit phone cases, dry bags, or even Life vests! Most SUP companies give you a smaller front pocket that can fit only a few items. 

Inside the main bag, you will find 3 pockets that are all organized to put your fins in. They also have velcro to strap them tight so they don’t fall out of the designated pockets. 

The bag is very comfortable to wear and the 3 wheels are a big plus to wheel across the grass and pavement. 

Nixy Paddle

The Monterey G4 comes with a lightweight paddle that is a hybrid design. It weighs 1.54 pounds, features a carbon shaft, and has 90 square inches of nylon where the blade is. 

The paddle comes apart in a 3 piece shaft so that it can be put in the side pockets of the bag. The length of the paddle adjusts from 67” to 84”. I’m 6’1” so I usually adjust it to the max at 84”. 

Overall my experience using the paddle with my Newport G4 has been a positive experience, it’s lightweight and comfortable to use. Even when you are on the water for over 3 hours plus. 

And yes, it floats when dropped in the water. 

Nixy Typhoon Pump

One of the better manual pumps around. The Nixy Typhoon pump is a double-chambered triple action pump. 

It features a knob that you can use to increase the velocity of air that is put into the board. As the pumping gets more difficult ( at 9-10 PSI) you want to switch to “Stage 3”.

I Don’t use manual pumps anymore since I injured my back over the winter. Nixy does have the Ventus Electric pump which Nixy shows can pump 10 BOARDS one after the other. Many electric pumps on the market start getting hiccups at about 3-4 boards.  See video below

Nixy Fins

The fins on the Monterey are ingeniously set up compared to many other competitors out there. There are usually 3 types of fin set-ups out there in common boards.

• FCS Fins
• Slide and Clip Fins
• Clip on Fins

We usually prefer models that have FCS fins as they are fins that you can swap with other manufacturers that feature the “FCS” distinction. But most manufacturers require you to have the screw separately to be bolted into place with a washer. Unfortunately with this set-up often people lose the screws and need to get replacements.

For 2021 onwards Nixy designated screws that stay onto the fin at all times, meaning losing them is next to impossible. It also makes the installation easier and quicker as well.

Part of the reason why Nixy boards track so well is because of the fin set-up. The fins that come with this board are the 9” center fin and two 5” side fins. 

While a center fin greatly improves the tracking on any board the 5 inch fins are really the ones who help make the board feel like it’s going in a completely straight line. They also help improve the stability of the board when it’s moving. 

Nixy Leash

The Nixy leash does its job in terms of feeling comfortable on your leg during long paddles and having enough slack to not get in the way or feel constricted.

The Nixy leash is made of neoprene material on the inner part while both attachment points have swivel bases so that the leash does not become tangled up. 

Nixy Monterey Set-Up/ Take Down

Let me just get to the main point here. The Nixy Monterey is not the quickest board to set-up and take down. Not by a long shot. However, this should not scare you away from it as the main time constraint is filling the 2nd bladder. Although truth be told for me it took about 2-3 minutes with an electric pump.

When setting up the Monterey, I recommend filling the main bladder first and then the smaller secondary one in the middle of the board. In my mind this puts less stress on the materials as opposed to doing it the other way around. 

Other than the secondary bladder, the set-up is not very different from the Newport other than the board being a bit heavier and more bulky to carry to the water. 

Rating Factor	Score	Average Score (All Around)
Set-Up/ Take-Down Score	8 /10	8.2

Taking down the board can be a bit tricky at first but the main key is to deflate the board as much as possible. This is where using the vacuum setting on a manual or electric pump will come in handy. 

The good thing with Nixy boards is the fact that you are supposed to fold fins first. Which gives you a good line to start the folding process. from there I find everything fits into place as long as the fold is tighter.

The added size of the board coupled with its larger frame can be a bit tricky to fit back into the bag the first time but if the board is deflated as much as possible this will be less of an issue. Be sure to note how Nixy folds their boards before taking it out!

Of course the good thing with Nixy bags is the fact that the paddles remain on the outside of the bag as opposed to inside which is unique to Nixy’s bags.

About the Nixy Brand

Founded in 2015 by Ale and Nicolas Artigas. The goal behind Nixy was to create innovative cutting-edge designs that they just were not happy with when they were originally shopping for an inflatable SUP. 

Nixy moves faster than a lot of competitors when it comes to putting new improvements on their boards. Over the past few years, some improvements have come down to them adding carbon side-rails on all of their boards, incorporating fusion lamination into their process.

They also recently started using the tighter bound woven drop stitch which is threads wrapped in a criss cross pattern to make the material more rigid and less stretchy.

On Top of this they released the board you are reading about now, the Nixy Monterey! It’s one of only a few handfuls of SUPs that features double chambers for that extra rigidity.

To See More Nixy Paddle Board Reviews click here!

Warranty and Returns

Nixy paddle Boards come with a 2-year warranty on all of their paddle boards. The money-back guarantee is 30 days while for Nixy accessories it’s 90 days. 

If you look at my SUP Brands page you will see that their warranty is at about the average, compared to other brands within a similar price range. Some brands like iRocker and Bluefin stand out more when it comes to warranty. Usually, the range for warranties on ISUP boards are between 1-5 Years. 

What Customers Think

During our testing of the Monterey in Kamloops and Kelowna I made a few obervations. Especialy when compared to the comparable Gili Meno 11’6″ SUP.

“Out of the Nixy Monterey, Gili Meno 11’6 and the Body Glover Performer 11, I found the Monterey to be about the middle of the row in terms of stability with the Meno 11’6” being the most stable.

However, when it came to tracking and speed the Monterey 11’6″ board came out ahead as it has the most drag resistant design which allowed you to get a bit extra glide per stroke.

The only thing I would really change is making the 2nd inner bladder a bit more inconspicuous.”

– Editors Notes

In my opinion, Nixy has some of the best customer service in the game. I’m constantly scrolling around online to see what customers think of their boards and many of the common characteristics that people exclaim are the responsiveness and helpfulness that the Nixy staff have. 

“When my Nixy board was ordered to ship to Canada they were very responsive and the whole process took about less than 2 weeks from order time to it getting to my door which was pretty good consider we were still in Covid times.”

– Editors Notes

The Nixy Monterey is a relatively new board in the Nixy line-up so most of the reviews you will find will be on the Nixy Website. As of the time of me writing this, the Monterey has a 4.7/5 star rating on the Nixy site. 

A lot of commonalities I found were that the Monterey was very stable, handled well with some even surprised with its speed.

Then I came across this comment:

“My only disappointment is the fit and finish of the board. The traction pad does not line up with the D rings and looks like it was put on without any quality control. There are a lot of places where there was too much glue used and is showing. There were several areas with touch up paint where the board must have been scuffed at the factory or was returned and refurbished (I bought as a new board so this was disappointing). The tape seams between the two air chambers are rough with many wrinkles.”

– Chad R (Page 2 of comments)

Nixy did respond to this comment by offering a replacement as this board may have slightly defected cosmetically. 

Where to Buy the Nixy Monterey

The go to place to buy Nixy products would be the Nixy Website. All Nixy Products provide free shipping on all products over $100 in the Continental United States. Shipping will take 1 to 5 business days depending on the carrier.

Nixy does now ship to Canada as well. For my Newport in 2021 the cost was about $75 according to the billing. Also, you may incur duty from customs for international shipments. As this is what happened to me with my Atoll board this year. 

For those who are outside North America, it’s best to check your local Amazon site as oftentimes Nixy ships its products to different Amazon fulfillment centers around the world. This will save you on outrageous duties, tariffs, and other charges. 

Nixy does also sell their boards to 3rd party stores so it’s worth a Google to see if they are available in your area as well. 

Comparable Boards

Below are some directly comparable boards to the Nixy Monterey.

iRocker Blackfin XL

The iRocker Blackfin XL has very similar stats to the Nixy Monterey except that it weighs 4 pounds more but can take on 85 more pounds at maximum capacity. The Blackfin does not feature dual chamber construction and is made of triple-layer PVC instead of fusion laminate. The Blackfin features 8 Action mounts vs the Montereys 10 but the Blackdfn has 20 D rings compared to the Montereys 18. 

Bote HD Aero

Bote is another high quality SUP brand that pushes innovation similar to Nixy. The Bote HD Aero weighs in at 30 pounds (4 more pounds than the Monterey) and features 2 scotty mounts for racks. The Aero does not feature action mounts but what it does feature is a built-in paddle holder that attaches to the front of the board and it has Magnapods which is an innovation from Bote that uses magnets to keep your drinkware in place on top of the board.

See the Full BOTE HD Aero Review here.

So Should You Get the Nixy Monterey G4 Paddle Board?

The Nixy Monterey is a great innovation from Nixy that is great for

• SUP Fishing
• Excursions in more open bodies of water
• Bigger/ Taller people
• Tandem/ Family Use
• Camping

If you have the budget its a great pick for beginners to intermediate paddlers alike. Its double chamber is a cool safety innovation that makes this board more rigid and allows you to travel a good amount of distance without worrying about leaks. 

So if you want a board that can hold a lot of gear and lasts you years and years, yes the Monterey is a great board to choose. 

Have you got a Monterey? Tell us all about what you think on our FB page!