Aqua Marina SPK-3: Review

SUP didn’t make the new word entries for 2015 in the Oxford Dictionary. But it deserved to. Stand-up paddleboards are awesomesauce. Buzz products. Nuff said. All of which did make it to the Oxford. But you get the gist of it. And this inflatable SUP from Aqua Marina offers even greater utility and affordability for boat owners.

OVERVIEW
- Inflatable SUPs make the perfect ‘tender’
Whereas kayaks or 'yaks were once all the rage, today’s boaters are turning to stand-up paddleboards or SUPs as their preferred quasi tenders, conveyances to reach shore, paddle-craft for striking out at dawn, if not stand-alone watercraft for active stand-up pursuits.

SUPs are more easily stored and less cumbersome than a plastic 'yak and certainly a tender. The inflatable SUPs take portability to a whole new level for boaters without sacrificing paddle performance. In the past, paddle and inflatable has spelt toy. Not now.

Your yacht or motorcruiser can carry a few inflatable SUPs without you even knowing it. Once inflated, the fun begins. This you can do before you leave the marina or mooring or while aboard at the anchorage. You see, SUPs aren't that big to unfurl on your deck or swim platform.

Of course, there are enthusiasts who launch their SUPs as serious stand-alone fishing, surfing, touring and exercise craft. Fishing SUPs, especially, are a growing watersports trend, with seats, leaning posts, fish boxes and rod holders. Expect to see a lot more of them in 2016.

Needless to say, kids will clamber onto just about anything that floats. That said, SUPs are certainly the most popular toy with my waterborne tribe. As a family, we paddle to shore, cast a line for whiting, and just jump off our SUPs doing really big bombs as part of our on-water weekends. My experience with inflatable kayaks is that they're not as much fun. Our plastic kayaks are also taking a back seat.

For owners of motorcruisers, yachts and catamarans, a SUP or two is now de rigueur. It is with this in mind that we decided to test the latest Aqua Marina SPK-3, a high-volume SUP with an extra-thick 15cm deep profile that can carry a payload up to 140kg. Could be just thing at Christmas time after all that pud'.

INFLATABLE SUPS
- Sleek and fast in a straight line
The Aqua Marina SPK-3 befriended another inflatable SUP that we’ve been running for about a year now, as well as a solid foam SUP that we’ve had for almost five years before these paddlecraft arrived on the boating scene. These two existing SUPs on our 42-foot Riviera have supplanted kayaks. Instead of three 'yaks, we now just carry one. Nuff said.

But it’s the introduction of the inflatable SUP to our boat that has been the eye opener. No longer a cumbersome storage proposition strapped to the bow or jammed in the cockpit, the inflatable SUP deflates in seconds, is rolled up in no time, and can be stored below decks or in the flying bridge. That’s where I plonk mine when not in use.

Inflatation takes some 15 minutes or so with the manual supplied pump (less with 12V or rechargeable pumps), but the effort is worth the portability and, once pumped up to the desired high pressure, these SUPs paddle surprisingly well. If you’re really challenged by the wind and waves drop to your knees.

The Aqua Marina SPK-3 is a different beast to what we’ve been paddling. Our SUPs are fat and stable. At 3.30m in length, this model is longer but comparatively narrower, with higher volume to carry an adult up to 140kg. It’s akin to a longboard with a gun-like shape and it goes in a straight line very well.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Fast paddler but not as stable as some
The SPK-3 looks pretty good in the bright-blue-and-green mahi mahi-like colour combo. We had it inflated in about 10 minutes, sharing the task, with the simple supplied hand pump and gauge. You can go up to 15psi, which we did in expectation of carrying one of our kids (20kg) as well as my 86kg self.

Remember to clip in the smaller outer thruster fins BEFORE you fully inflate the board, after which these fins lock into their slots. I must admit, the design of these outer fins wasn’t as streamlined as I would have liked. Then again, this is just a price-point recreational SUP.

The main centre fin slips into its case with a simple plastic clip holding it there. It can be removed while the board is inflated, leaving just the small outer fins protruding. This might be handy when storing the board on deck or turning it over on the beach to use as a sun pad.

We added the supplied elastic bungee cord to the stainless steel D-rings on the bow, so we could carry a waterproof satchel or dry bag. A small dry bag suitable for wallets and phones was supplied with the test model. I added one of our bigger dry bags with our towels and other stuff when hitting the beach

The Aqua Marina importer and distributor also threw-in an 8ft iSUP leash cord, which you will want, especially if you plan to catch a wave  — I’m always looking for a little break at an ocean anchorage to ride my SUPs — or just bomb around in your holidays.

The base model SPK-3 comes with one of those basic aluminium paddles with tee-bar grip. These alloy paddles are clunky and once you have a carbon-fibre paddle there’s no turning back. Thankfully, the distributor included an upgraded paddle.

The three-piece Aqua Marina SUP carbon fibre paddle extends from 160cm-210cm — you use the longer lengths for greater purchase — using a 100 per cent carbon shaft with a 30 per cent carbon blade.  It’s a nice paddle that weighs 0.95kg.

The base Aqua Marina SPK-3 retails for about $799. The carbon paddle is a $199 upgrade. The leash cost $39.95. The mini dry bag was $24.95. And to this we had an optional 90lt luggage bag with rollers for $89.95 that lets you check your SUP in at the airport as luggage or roll it back down the gangway to the car. All told, the package had a value of about $1150 or about half the price of a top-shelf inflatable SUP from the USA.

You could get out of it for $799 with the alloy paddle and $998 with the carbon paddle. The upgraded carbon paddle wasn’t as light and stiff as my favourite $500 carbon paddle, and the Aqua Marina paddle flexed when really lent on, but it’s a value purchase all the same. I’d strongly advise investing in a decent carbon paddle.

CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING
- Asian-made from a huge SUP factory
Aqua Marina SUPS are manufactured by the Silver Marine company in Shanghai, which is one of a few huge Asian factories specialising in glued PVC or vinyl to make these boards as well as RIBS and inflatable tenders.

The SPK-3 has a durable double-wall drop stitch PVC hull, with extra layers of post-inflation lamination for stiffness. It is stiff once inflated to 15psi. The seams seemed reasonably tidy, but not as neat as the Rolls Royce SUPs. The EVA anti-slippery pad and kick pad adds to your footing once underway and there’s a hand strap for easy portage.

Locally, the complete Aqua Marina range is distributed by Vail Imports, an Australian company that specialises in importing and distributing marine products in Australia, including the Crownline brand of US powerboats.

The 2016 Aqua Marina SUP product range covers all market segments which includes youngsters, new paddlers, weekend warriors and serious enthusiasts. Contained within the Aqua Marina range are speciality models that include the Flow Yoga, Race, Windsurf and Drift Fishing models.

David Fraser, Managing Director of Vail Imports, said: “This is a quality AAA+ rated product which is being produced by a highly reputable and long established manufacturer. Silver Marine is the world’s largest manufacturer of SUP boards.”

“Aqua Marina SUP boards are exported to the four corners of the globe and I’m proud to now offer this brand in Australia. This is a high quality range which is price pointed as an inexpensive value-for-money proposition,” Frazer says, adding that the SUPS have a one year warranty.

ON THE WATER
- Like a big mal or log
Measuring 3.30m overall, the SPK-3 is like a mal. It’s long but it goes. This proved an advantage when paddling into the wind, with the relatively narrow but long hull getting up a good turn of speed. While the rest on the gang battled to get back to the boat on our wide SUPs, I pretty much powered past.

The long waterline length, paddle speed  and high volume hull, rated for an adult up to 140kg, are strong points. There’s non-skid on the deck to help with your footing, however, sunscreen from the kids’ knees made this a tad slippery. It could be more aggressive.

The major downside of the SPK-3 model is the narrower beam than I’m accustomed to and, with the high deck, a higher centre of gravity than our cruisy SUPs. In fact, I fell off with my dry bag backpack — a first on a SUP.

Once I sorted out the characteristics of the SPK-3 I was fine. It’s not as stable as a wide board, it's not as easy to turn and manoeuvre as a smaller board, but it paddles nicely in a straight line.

As the seabreeze filled in some more, I went for another paddle and managed to hold a straight line while beam-on to the wind all the way across to the other side of the bay and a different beach. This is a decent touring SUP.

The high sides of the SPK-3 seemed less prone to windage than I expected. On the downside, it’s nowhere near as stable as what I’m accustomed to. Aqua Marina has a range of SUPs for all kinds of applications, so where does this one fit in?

VERDICT
- A big unit for big units
The case for inflatable SUPs is strong. Every motorcruiser and sailing-boat owner needs a few. The Aqua Marina is a value proposition.

The SPK-3 is a big unit for big units. You may lean towards a wider board with greater stability. But if straight-line paddling in wind is on your checklist, this big 3.30m models travels very well.

Once you get up a head of steam, the SPK-3 seems unstoppable. The cost from $799 retail with basic alloy paddle and about $998 with carbon paddle, is certainly a lot less than a tender. And launching is a breeze. Little wonder boaters love their SUPs, so much so the word is now part of our lingo.

LIKES
>> Long waterline length for straight-line speed
>> Made by a huge inflatable SUP factory
>> Value for money
>> Easily stowed at 11.2kg rolled-up in bag

NOT SO MUCH
>> Not the most stable SUP around
>> Big unit for your average boat
>> Thruster fin design could be better

Supplied by and distributor inquiries:
Vail Imports
David Fraser
Managing Director
Mob: 0408 532 342
Email: david@lionshead.com.au
See http://www.aquamarina.com