Below are the Best Paddle Boards 11’6” and over. Truthfully, all of these SUPs are 12’ and above. If you are looking at that 11’6” number, check out the Best Paddle Boards 11’ to 11’6” article, where most of the boards are of the 11’6” range.
All of the below boards have been either tested or heavily researched by our team.
Best Paddle Boards 11’6” and Over
These boards are ranked based on our ratings. Our ratings comprise an average of five important components that we consider when evaluating inflatable paddle boards.
- On-Water Performance
- Board Features
- Construction
- Accessories
- Set-Up/ Take Down Time
We rank our boards like this because not all paddlers look for the same things in an inflatable paddle board. We use these ratings to help you see what’s important to you.
Carta Marina CX
- Dimensions: 12’ x 32″ x 6″
- Weight: 21 lbs
- Max Capacity: 350 lbs
- Materials: Cross Weave Drop Stitch
- Best For: Paddlers who was a fast and stable board to paddle.
Nixy Manhattan G4 Plus
- Dimensions: 12’6” x 30” x 6”
- Weight: 23 Lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 350 Lbs
- Materials Used: Dual Layer Fusion with Dual Chambers and Carbon side rails
- Best For: Paddlers who want a Quick and Nimble SUP
Blackfin Model V 6.0
- Dimensions: 12’6” x 32” x 6”
- Weight: 30 Lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 485 Lbs
- Materials Used: Triple Layer PVC with Carbon Side Rails
- Best For: Paddlers who want a long distance SUP that can hold lots of gear
Thursosurf Expedition 150
- Dimensions: 12’6” x 31” x 6”
- Weight: 26 Lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 410 Lbs
- Materials Used: Dual Layer PVC with Cross Threaded Drop Stitch and Carbon Side Rails
- Best For: Paddlers who want a long distance SUP that can hold lots of gear
Gili Meno 12'6"
- Dimensions: 12’6” x 31” x 6”
- Weight: 24 Lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 300 Lbs
- Materials Used: Fusion Dual Layer Technology w/ Carbon Rails
- Best For: Paddlers who want a long distance SUP with good onboard features
Gili Adventure 12
- Dimensions: 12 X 32” X 6”
- Weight: 24 Lbs
- Max Capacity: 330 Lbs
- Materials: Dual-layer fusion laminated PVC
- Best For: Paddlers who want a long SUP to paddle longer distances
1. Carta Marina CX (Top Pick)
Features
- Dimensions: 12’ x 32″ x 6″
- Weight: 21 lbs
- Max Capacity: 350 lbs
- Materials: Cross Weave Drop Stitch
Total Score: 8.9/ 10 (Average of Below Scores)
- On-Water Performance – 8.9
- Stability 9
- Tracking 8
- Speed 9.5
- Maneuverability 9
- SUP Construction – 9.5
- Board Features – 8.8
- Deck Pad 9.5
- D Rings 9
- Deck Bungees 9
- Action Mounts: 8
- Handles 8.5
- Accessories – 8.6
- Backpack 9
- Paddle 9.5
- Pump 8
- Fins 8
- Set-Up/ Take Down – 8.5
The Carta Marina is the top pick because it’s probably the board that gave us the closest feel to having the perfect in-between board between an all-around and touring SUP. This opens the doors to a wide customer base from beginners to advanced paddlers. On top of that, they also have some eye-popping designs that are truly out of this world.
When I tested the Carta Marina CX on a small lake on Salt Spring Island B.C. I found the board to be very stable on the water. Even though it’s technically classified as a touring board it had the same primary stability of an all around board. This is because the board is 32” wide which is about all around board length.
Where this board really shone was its glide in the water. When I compared it to the Skylla Cx I found the board to be faster and tracker better due to the boards more streamlined shape. This board is also very lightweight for a 12’ SUP. It only weighs 21 lbs which helps give the board quick accelerations when you are ready to have at it!
The board comes with a solid array of accessories including a well designed carbon hybrid paddle, a very solid heavy duty back which can fit all the contents quite easily and a dual chamber triple action pump which helps you get that much more air into your board.
If you are looking for a board that turns heads in the water all the while having very solid on-water performance the Sea Gods Carta Marina CX is a fantastic pick for all skill levels.
Click Here to see our full Sea Gods Carta Marina CX Review.
Pros
- Very stable for a touring board
- Has a fantastic design done by local artists
- Accessory package is high quality and well thought out
- Board glides very well in the water
- Has solid speed
Cons
- The package can be a but pricey
2. Nixy Manhattan G4 Plus (Training Pick)
Features
- Dimensions: 12’6” x 30” x 6”
- Weight: 23 Lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 350 Lbs
- Materials Used: Dual Layer Fusion with Dual Chambers and Carbon side rails
Total Score: 8.5/ 10 (Average of Below Scores)
- On-Water Performance – 8.4
- Stability 7.5
- Tracking 9
- Speed 9
- Maneuverability 8
- SUP Construction – 9
- Board Features – 8
- Deck Pad 8.5
- D Rings 7
- Deck Bungees 7
- Action Mounts: 9
- Handles 8.5
- Accessories – 9
- Backpack 9
- Paddle 9
- Pump 9
- Fins 8
- Set-Up/ Take Down – 8.5
The Nixy Manhattan G4 Plus is a great board for those who want the “proper” touring board experience with an inflatable. The board is the narrowest of the bunch on this list, and it is meant for speed. To me, this is a fantastic “training pick” where you want to go from point A to B as quickly as possible while working up a bit of a sweat.
Another reason why I feel this board is a good training pick is because it has a small 3-row bungee deck webbing system at the front for smaller odds and ends. Perfect for a water bottle and a small dry bag. I would not use this for an expedition as there is not enough cargo room for items, and it is considered to be less stable compared to some of the other SUPs on the list.
The Manhattan is also the least stable of the bunch, so you should have at least some SUP experience under your belt. Unless you like taking multiple dips in the water, in that case, have at it!
Having said that, the G4 Plus is more stable than the original Manhattan G4, which was notorious for being unstable for taller folks. I’m between 6’0 and 6’1, and I found this board to be more than stable for me, mind you.
The Manhattan G4 Plus comes with some great accessories, including a well-made bag with a generously sized pocket, to fit all of your odds and ends. The paddle is probably my favorite of the Nixy accessories, as it is one of the lightest paddles. I believe the lightweight paddle perfectly complements this SUP for those longer paddles. You may not feel it initially, but once you have been out there for a few hours, you start to feel the difference between a lightweight and heavier SUP paddle.
Click here to see our full Nixy Manhattan G4 Plus Review.
Pros
- One of the fastest boards I’ve tested
- The board has surprisingly good maneuverability
- I love the overall design of this board
- I felt stable enough while paddling it
- Cuts through chop/ small waves very easily
Cons
- Not the most stable SUP here
- Tracking could be better, I’m not sure why they included a dolphin fin instead of a touring fin
3. Blackfin Model V 6.0 (Capacity Pick)
Features
- Dimensions: 12’6” x 32” x 6”
- Weight: 30 Lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 485 Lbs
- Materials Used: Triple Layer PVC with Dual Chambers and Carbon side rails
Total Score: 8.35/ 10 (Average of Below Scores)
The Blackfin Model V, similar to the Carta Marina CX, is a nice in-between of a touring and All Around Paddle Board. If you are confident enough in your stability, you could even use it as a fishing SUP as it offers a plethora of action mounts and Scotty Rack mounts on the rear of the board that can house various different fishing racks from the Scotty Mounts company and iRocker alike.
The Model V 6.0 is rated as the capacity pick because of its ability to carry a lot of weight. You could even realistically carry 2 adults on here, although the Blackfin XL 6.0 would be the better pick for that because it is wider and will be more stable for both parties. But that shouldn’t stop you from strapping gear onboard or even having a small passenger, such as a kid or a SUP pup, onboard ready for a paddling adventure.
The Blackfin Model V is made of a triple-layer PVC, which makes the board more than durable, although it also makes it a heavier board. Something to consider if you need to haul the board and its contents for a long period of time before getting to a body of water.
The Model V comes with a wheeled backpack, 3 fins (1 center and 2 side fins), as well as a lightweight Hexa Edge carbon hybrid paddle that weighs a total of 2 lbs. I found when I tested the Blackfin XL that the bag was a bit tight when you placed the SUP inside, so it’s best to deflate the board before packing it back in.
Speaking of deflation, the Blackfin Model V 6.0 does come with an electric pump, which I think is a very handy feature. And to be honest, I’m not sure why more SUP manufacturers don’t include one. The iRocker electric pump was rated as the 2nd Best SUP Electric pump.
Pros
- Stable in the water for most paddlers
- Has a high maximum capacity, which means you can load it with lots of gear
- Board is very durable and has a 2-year warranty on the board and 3 3-year seam warranty
- Lots of customizability with this SUP, can even use it as a fishing SUP
- Comes with an electric pump
Cons
- This is a heavier board
- Board has a more expensive price point compared to other iRocker SUPs
- The board is a tight fit in the bag that it comes with
4. Thurosurf Expedition 150 12’6” (Expedition Pick)
Features
- Dimensions: 12’6” x 31” x 6”
- Weight: 26 Lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 410 Lbs
- Materials: Dual Layer PVC with Cross-Threaded Drop Stitch and Carbon Side Rails
Total Score: 8.3/ 10 (Average of Below Scores)
- On-Water Performance – 8.5
- Stability 7.5
- Tracking 9.5
- Speed 9
- Maneuverability 8
- SUP Construction – 8.5
- Board Features – 7.6
- Deck Pad 8
- D Rings 8
- Deck Bungees 8
- Action Mounts 7
- Handles 7
- Accessories – 8.6
- Backpack 8
- Paddle 8.5
- Pump 9
- Fins 9
- Set-Up/ Take Down – 8.5
The Thurosurf Expedition is like an in-between of the Nixy Manhattan G4 Plus and the Blackfin Model V in terms of its stability. Its width is also right in between the two. The Expedition 150 is the expedition pick, not just because of its name, but rather the items you can put onboard. The board offers wider spaced bungee deck webbing, which is ideal for bigger items such as big dry bags, backpacks, camping, or even fishing gear.
The board also offers 4 free D rings to strap extra gear or simply have a kayak seat or cooler mounted onboard. The Expedition 150 offers a maximum capacity of 410 lbs. While we believe this is about the borderline weight to have onboard for two small adults, it is not a bad board to have for a small passenger.
The Expedition 150 comes with a nice and tidy accessory package and a properly sized touring fin, which I believe helps make the board more stable than if you were to attach a dolphin fin to it. The surface area of the fin really helps the board track well, which saves you effort from constantly switching from one side to the other.
The board comes with a bag, dual chamber triple action pump, and a cool accessories pouch that holds the fin, leash instructions, and all the various odds and ends that could potentially get lost in the bag.
Click here to see our full Thurosurf Expedition 150 Review.
Pros
- The board has solid tracking ability
- Offers good onboard storage capability
- Solid maximum capacity for a touring SUP
- It offers a solid accessories package (I liked the pouch)
Cons
- Not the biggest fan of the bag as it feels a bit more flimsy
- The board has just Okay stability
5. Gili Meno 12’6” (Features/ Accessories Pick)
Features
- Dimensions: 12’6” X 31” X 6”
- Weight: 24 Lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 300 Lbs
- Materials: Fusion Dual Layer Technology
Total Score: 8.4/10 (Average of Below Scores)
- On-Water Performance – 8.25
- Stability 8
- Tracking 9
- Speed 9
- Maneuverability 7
- SUP Construction – 9
- Board Features – 8.4
- Deck Pad 8.5
- D Rings 8
- Deck Bungees 8.5
- Action Mounts 8
- Handles 9
- Accessories – 8.5
- Backpack 8.5
- Paddle 8.5
- Pump 8
- Fins 9
- Set-Up/ Take Down 8
The Gili Meno 12’6” is a good stable touring board that has a lot of onboard features similar to the Blackfin Model V. Like the Thurosurf Expedition 150, this board can be used for expeditions. You should note the maximum capacity of this SUP. It’s 110 lbs less compared to the Expedition 150 and 185 lbs less than the Blackfin Model V.
In my testing, this is a great board to go on a day trip with. I felt it had all-around stability in the form of a touring SUP. The stability was one of the more impressive things about this SUP. I also liked the board’s tracking and glide. This board will take you to where you want to go quicker compared to a shorter all-around paddle board.
I also really liked the package that came with the SUP. The bag has plenty of padding in the back and shoulder straps, which I appreciated. I also like Gili’s Carbon Hybrid paddle, which is lightweight and effective when paddling for longer periods of time.
One thing that should be noted about this package is that it is currently unavailable. I’m not sure what has happened with Gili recently, but all of their stuff looks as if it’s sold out. It could have something to do with the Tariff situation.
Click here to see our full Gili Meno 12’6” Touring Board Review.
Pros
- Has a good mix of on-water performance metrics
- Well thought out onboard package, has action mounts, plenty of bungees, etc.
- I like the bag that comes with the package as well as the accessories kit
- This SUP is a great pick for day touring
Cons
- The maximum capacity is lower than most on this list
- Not sure if this company is still making paddle boards
- I do wish this SUP had a US Fin Box attached to it, so you can use different fins
6. Gili Adventure 12’ (Hybrid Pick)
Features
- Dimensions: 12’ X 32” X 6”
- Weight: 23 Lbs
- Maximum Capacity: 330 Lbs
- Materials: Fusion Dual Layer Technology
Total Score: 8/10 (Average of Below Scores)
- On-Water Performance – 8.1
- Stability 8
- Tracking 8.5
- Speed 8.5
- Maneuverability 7.5
- SUP Construction – 8
- Board Features – 8.1
- Deck Pad 8
- D Rings 8
- Deck Bungees 8
- Mounts: 8.5
- Handles 8
- Accessories – 7.75
- Backpack 8
- Paddle 8
- Pump 7
- Fins 8
- Set-Up/ Take Down – 8
The Gili Adventure 12’ can be best described as a longer all-around paddleboard. Unlike some of the other picks, the hull and tail are not as pointed/ pronounced. Overall, though, I found it blended the most important on-water metrics well, although not to the same level as a lot of these touring SUPs on this list.
The Gili Adventure is ideal for taller paddlers who want a bigger all-around SUP. What’s interesting is that this board does have a higher maximum capacity compared to the Meno 12’6” be it only by 30 lbs. Still, you can place various different cargo onboard or even have a smaller passenger, like a dog or small child, ride with you while cruising along.
This board is ideal for a variety of different spots, including lakes, coastal areas, and slow-moving rivers. Its longer profile will make it a better candidate for longer day paddles compared to your average shorter all-around SUP you would find.
Like the Meno 12’6”, the Adventure 12 has no stock left, which makes me think something is up with Gili Sports.
Click here to see our full Gili Adventure 12 SUP Review.
Pros
- Offers good tracking for an all-around style SUP
- Can have some cargo onboard, including smaller passengers
- I do like Gili’s accessory packages quite a bit.
Cons
- The Board/ Company may be permanently out of business
- Overall, it’s just a longer all-around board
Final Thoughts: Best Paddle Boards 11’6” Ft and Over
Boards that are 11’6” and over usually fall under the touring or Giant SUP category. All of the above SUPs will be a direct step up from paddling your entry-level all-around paddle board and will give you better tracking and speed over a long distance, like a proper touring board should.
The boards chosen can be used by most paddlers of different sizes and experience levels. They come with useful accessories, so you don’t need to buy extra stuff to do an all-day (or possibly multi-day) touring trip.
If you want more information on How to Choose a SUP by Length take a look at our article here.
