What Are the Advantages of an Electric Paddle Board?

Written by: James | Last update: 8 November 2022

Even though I am not the biggest fan of an electric Paddle Board myself, in some cases an electric paddle board can have many advantages compared to a traditional Stand Up Paddle Board. But what are the advantages of an electric SUP (stand up paddle) Board? We’ll go into more detail below.

What is an electric Paddle Board?

An electric SUP Board is a Stand Up Paddle Board that is powered by an electric motor. This motor can be integrated into the board or attached to the fin. This motor either moves you completely on its own or supports you while paddling.

How an electric Sipa paddle board works

Types of Electric SUPS

Various types of electric SUPS are available. I will go through them extensively with you.

Self inflating

There are electric paddle boards where the electric part only ensures that the SUP inflates itself. So do not confuse these boards with electric boards that are actually motor-driven by an electric motor.

Self-sailing

You also have self-sailing electric Paddle Boards, that’s what this blog is mainly about. But here you also have various types, these are them;

self-propelled and inflating

You have electric paddle boards that are both powered by an electric motor and can also inflate themselves. Practically speaking, you don’t have to do anything with these boards except operate the remote control on the paddle. Although I don’t think that’s the intention at all. In my opinion, a self-propelled and inflating electric SUP Board is best used for when you have injuries, are older or like to take really seriously long trips. You can first paddle on your own power and if it gets too heavy you can switch on the motor. You can also choose if you have a shoulder injury, for example, that you switch on the engine only in a slow position, this way the board continues to sail slowly forward and you can set speed behind it yourself.

In addition, the board easily pumps itself up via the internal motor that is located in the board. Both the motor and the battery can be removed from the SUP to be able to fold the board and charge the battery.

The specifications of a Sipa SUP

Sailing alone

This is actually the same principle as the previously mentioned type above. The only difference is that this SUP does not inflate itself and is purely focused on the motor part. So if you want to inflate your Paddle Board yourself or if you already have an electric pump, this may be the better choice.

Supportive

You also have electric SUPS that only support you while paddling. In this way you will have to paddle yourself at all times, the motor only helps. So it is not the case that the board can sail on its own. This is ideal for when you need that extra bit of help during supping or for long trips. In addition, the battery of a supporting engine also lasts longer per trip than the battery of a self-propelled engine.

Engine type

There are various types of electric motors. We will go through the electric motors in detail with you below.

Internal engine

In our opinion, the best engine is the internal engine. This motor belongs in the Paddle Board. The Board and the motor are coordinated during the design and production process. as a result, they work together like a charm and the chance of possible defects is the smallest. The motor works by sucking the water in at the front and then pushing it out at the back, this makes the SUP move forward and you maintain your speed (like . There is nothing extra underneath, everything is integrated into the board so you don’t experience any resistance. This benefits both your SUP experience and the battery life, the less resistance, the longer the battery lasts. So this would be my personal preference.

Engine on the fin box

The second type of engine is a fin box engine. You can therefore buy this motor separately without a SUP Board. In general, these motors do not have a large battery capacity and in addition, these motors are known to often break. And that’s a shame, especially since you pay a serious amount for it. In addition, the range of these engines is very limited. Aqua Marina is one of the few brands that offers this motor for mounting on the fin box.

What are the advantages of an electric Paddle Board?

An electric board has several advantages compared to a traditional Stand Up Paddle Board. We list all the advantages for you:

• When you have a (slight) injury, an electric board can still make paddling possible for you
• If you would normally only last 1 to 2 hours in a row, an e-SUP can ensure that you can last more than half a day and therefore make longer trips
• If you like stand up paddling but not the intensity of it, an e-sup can be the solution for you
• For people of an older age, an electric Paddle Board can in some cases be the outcome to be able to SUP
• If you take a self-inflating variant, you don’t have to pump anymore

What are the disadvantages of an electric Paddle Board?

Of course, an electric SUP not only has advantages but also disadvantages. View the disadvantages in the summary:

• Heavier in weight than a traditional SUP Board
• It is not cheap
• Your always depend on the electrical components
• When something breaks outside the warranty, repair / replacement often is very expensive
• When you take a fully self-sailing SUP, it is no longer really ‘paddling’ but more sailing (but of course this also depends on how you use the board)
• Limited offer, so there is little choice

Review of the Sipa Electric Paddle Board

Conclusion

An Electric Stand Up Paddle Board has both advantages and disadvantages. Check for yourself whether an electric Paddle Board suits you and is a solution for you or not. In my opinion, it is best to look at an e-sup with an integrated motor as these are more reliable and better boards. An electric Paddle Board is especially useful for the following people/purposes:

• For when you have a (minor) injury
• If you like to make longer trips
• When you’re older and a traditional SUP is too heavy to bring forward
• When you like the paddling itself but not the intensity

Did you find this blog interesting? Be sure to check out our blog in which we explain how to train your balance with a balance board.