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Wood Paddle Board vs Fiberglass Paddle Board – Which One To Choose?

Do you want to explore the water and surf over the seas but don’t have a paddleboard? Are you confused between the wooden and Fiberglass boards, like which one to choose? Then you’re at the right place! 

Here, we’ll give a rundown so by the end of the article, you’ll get to know which one is best for you. Without further ado, let’s compare 

wood paddleboards & Fiberglass paddleboards, and after that, we’ll give you some great tips to choosing a paddleboard that best suits your needs. 

woman fiberglass paddle board

Table of Contents

Some Info On Wood Paddle Boards

Wood paddleboards are made up of woods like maple, cherry, bamboo, cedar, or other lightweight options. They have a strong hollow section between the top and bottom panels. This hollow section is lined with strips that support the rider’s weight and provide strength.

Wooden boards are also 10% faster than inflatable ones. It is a traditional material for water surfing because it is hard and resistant to most damage. Moreover, the wood paddleboards are eco-friendly. So, generaly there is no plastic (depending on the manufacturer), and they are biodegradable. 

Pros

  • Strong
  • Fast
  • Environmental Friendly
  • Reliable

Cons

  • Hard to carry
  • Comparatively heavier

Some Info On Fiberglass Paddle Boards

Fiberglass paddleboards are getting very popular these days. Fiberglass is a tough material and also a lightweight option. These boards have a foam filling inside the panels to support the rider. The foam also reduces the heaviness and fills the space.

Fiberglass boards are also easy to carry and control. They have lots of resin that bind the sheets and make them water-tight so that no water droplet can seep inside. In addition, they can withstand any waves and provide different maneuvers.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Easy to control
  • Easy to carry
  • Durable

Cons

  • Not Biodegradable
  • Sunshine can damage

Head to Head Comparison Of Wood & Fiberglass SUPs

As you have just read Wood and Fiberglass paddle boards have their own advantages and disadvantages.

two girls on a solid wood paddle board

But lets now compare them head to head

Eco Friendliness

You can go with the wooden option if you are an eco-friendly person, as it usually contains no plastic and most come from responsibly sourced wood

Speed

If speed is what you’re after then a wood paddle board is likely to be the faster of the two.

Weight

If board weight is an issue or you need to carry your SUP for long distances or lift it up on a racks, you should choose a Fiberglass board. The wood will sore your muscles and make you tired before the real fun begins.

Maneuverability

Wood (if manufactured correctly) can go faster than Fiberglass, but the latter is easier to control than the former. 

Durability

You can’t keep Fiberglass boards in the sunlight for prolonged periods . The sunlight will weaken the structure and affect the bonding of sheets. Moreover, it adversely affects the resins and disintegrates the material. Also, it fades out the shine of the board.

So, in essence, you need to keep your fiberglass board in the shade and avoid much sunlight. You can use it in water for as long as you want, but you need to keep the board undercover once out. On the contrary, wood boards don’t get a weathering effect. You can place them anywhere, indoors, outside, or in the yard, but it is still good to store them in a dry place.

Verdict

We’ve given you the info. the power is now in your hands to make the best choice for your individual needs

How To Choose A SUP That’s Right For Your Needs

As we all know, paddleboards come in various sizes, designs, and materials. Some are solid, others are inflatable, while some are even soft. Also, there are different paddleboards for different purposes like surfing, racing, or recreation. So, depending on your requirements, you can choose the perfect fit. 

So let’s learn How.

5 Crucial Factors to Consider Before Buying A Paddle Board

Many people get an adrenaline rush and buy a paddleboard to experience the thrills of water. But they overlook some important factors that effectively lead to wasted money. Therefore, as a bonus, we’ve listed five of the most crucial factors you should consider before buying your stand-up paddle board.

buy smart like her with great SUP tips

1. Use And Purpose

First, acknowledge your use for it. Different water sports have various paddleboards that have distinctive functions and materials. If you buy the wrong product, you will be losing the main cause, and that board won’t serve you well.

Know the purpose you need it for, and then research the correct type. If it is for SUP racing, you need one with a displacement hull and a bit narrower. Similarly, if you’re a beginner, you need a planning hull that has more width.

2. Dimension

Then comes the length and width of the board. The longer boards are suitable for racing and touring, while the shorter boards are easy to control. Moreover, the latter ones are helpful in waves for quick turning.

You also need to consider the size for transportation. Large-sized boards come with carrying. Also, if you are a beginner, you need wider SUP that offers more stability. So, keep the dimensions in mind before ordering your board.

3. Capacity

How do you know whether the board has enough capacity to carry your weight without sinking? 

Here’s how:

Riders measure the capacity of the board in liters. Unfortunately, in the U.S., we measure our weight in pounds. So, you need to do a bit of calculation.

1 Liter is equal to 1 Kilogram, which is equal to 2.2 Pounds. 

Experts recommend the board’s capacity should be at least twice the rider’s weight. 

So first, divide your weight by 2.2, and then twice the number

For example, a 160 lbs. man would need a 145 liters paddleboard.

4. Durability

The next thing you need to look for is its durability. This factor is hard to find online that’s why you can rely on experts like us at The SUP Guru to find all the information for you. But if you are buying physically from the shop, you can check its strength, quality and look for yourself. 

5. Paddle

Lastly, you need to check the paddle—they come in various shapes for different functions.

long-distance paddling with a wood SUP

If you’re interested in long-distance paddling, then go with the rectangular paddle. If you’re into SUP racing, choose the smaller blade.

Conclusion

Both of the paddleboards have their features according to their use. You need to figure out the right choice according to your requirements. A wood paddleboard is a great option if you want strength and speed. But if you need convenience and control, go for the fiberglass paddleboard. 

We sure hope we’ve armed you with the right information to make a purchase that best suits your needs.

Happy Paddling! 

Picture of Steve Frankland

Steve Frankland

Steve Frankland loves the outdoor life and getting out in nature. He loves writing and sharing knowledge. He's part of the team at thesupguru.com
He’ll find any excuse he can to get out on the water and can often be seen on a SUP with his kids and dogs.