GOOSEHILL SUP SAILOR INFLATABLE STAND UP PADDLE BOARD REVIEW

Looking for an ultra affordable beginner inflatable SUP that is stable and easy to use?

Goosehill has designed two boards that are not only budget friendly but they look great, feel solid and are easy and fun to paddle.

The two boards are the same size but constructed slightly different. The Sailor ISUP is the lightest option at 20.5 lbs. and ideal for paddling on calm water. It is not quite as strong as the slightly heavier Rainbow inflatable SUP.

All of my pictures are of the 10’6″ Sailor paddle board.  I’ve gotten some good use out of this board and found it to be more rigid and stable than I expected it to be.  It is extremely easy to find your balance and paddle.

If you are new to SUP, plan to mostly paddle on calm water and don’t want to go overboard on the price, the Goosehill Sailor is a good way to go.

GOOSEHIILL SAILOR INFLATABLE SUP

GOOSEHILL RAINBOW INFLATABLE SUP

SPECS

BEST SUITED FOR

So who is the Goosehill SUP best suited for?

I would say this board is great for beginners to learn on and it is ideal for sharing with family members and kids.

It also works well as an extra board to have on hand for family or friends to use.

Although it can handle chop and windy conditions, it is best suited for cruising on calmer water.

LIGHTWEIGHT AND EASY TO USE

These boards weigh between 20.5 and 22.5 lbs. so they are lightweight and very easy to carry when inflated or even when packed into the backpack.

I don’t think anyone would have any trouble transporting these boards to and from the water and anywhere their adventures take them.

Also because they are so lightweight they take very little effort to paddle and propel forward or turn and maneuver.

PERFORMANCE

These certainly aren’t the fastest boards but my Sailor ISUP glides smoothly and tracks better than one would expect for a 32″ paddleboard.

I had no trouble easily paddling along a calm river or cruising on a local lake.

The board is also ideal for taking a break, having a seat and just chilling.  It is ultra stable so I find that I am super comfortable regardless whether I am paddling, sitting or kneeling.

VIDEO

Check out my quick video above, which shows me paddling the Goosehill Sailor ISUP on Allouette Lake at Golden Ears Provincial Park.

This video is simply to show how stable it is, easy to paddle and turn.  You will see that it turns faster when I am kneeling as opposed to standing.  However being so stable I really enjoyed taking a break and doing some stretching as well.

STABILITY

The all-around shape with the rounded nose and slightly tapered tail is popular for beginner paddlers.

However what makes this board extra stable is the fact that the nose and tail does not taper too sharply.

It is 32″ for most of the length of the board creating a larger platform than an all-around board that tapers off towards the front and back.

Consequently it is a VERY comfortable ride.

The Rainbow is made a little stronger and is able to hold more weight than the Sailor with less flex. Therefore if you need more stability or want to paddle with your dogs or kids on board I would recommend the Rainbow ISUP over the Sailor.

For a lighter weight person who plans to only paddle in calm water, the Sailor works great.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

FRONT BUNGEES

There is a four-point bungee system at the nose.

The bungee section is large enough to store a couple dry bags and is perfect for securing your essentials.

DIAMOND GROOVE EVA TRACTION PAD

I always like the diamond groove traction pads because they provide excellent grip.

The traction pad is a good length and provides plenty of room to move around if needed.

CENTER CARRY HANDLE

The centre carry handle feels strong and has a little bit of padding for added comfort when carrying the board.

This is the only carry handle on this SUP.

TRI-FIN SYSTEM

There is one removable center fin that easily clips into place. I would highly recommend using this fin as it really helps with tracking and performance.

If you will be paddling in very shallow water you can remove the fin completely and just use the two smaller attached side fins.

With all three fins attached the board feels the most stable and this is what you will want for most water conditions.

BACK D-RING

The stainless steel D-ring at the tail of the board is for attaching your SUP leash (included in the package).

WHAT ABOUT CONSTRUCTION?

The company states that the Sailor ISUP is made with 1 strong laminated layer.  This keeps the board lightweight and strong.

The Rainbow ISUP is made with SCE Technology which combines a laminated layer and strong drop stitch core creating a durable and rigid paddle board.

The Sailor board that I have feels quite durable.  I haven’t heard of any issues and for recreational paddling I have no concerns.

However the Rainbow is better suited for more versatility, SUP yoga, SUP fishing or even mild whitewater.

ACCESSORY PACKAGE

Compared to some of the deluxe accessory packages out there this one is fairly basic. However it has all the bases covered and really includes most everything you need.

BACKPACK

The backpack included in this package is just large enough to fit the board and accessories. I had to make sure the board was folded really well in order to fit it back inside the bag.  I would love to see the bag made slightly larger so that it is easier to pack everything away.

The bag has some good features including:

• a mesh side paddle holder
• padded shoulder straps
• waist strap
• one side carry handle

It covers the basics and feels fairly supportive when carrying on your back.

3-PIECE ALUMINUM PADDLE

Aluminum paddles are the heaviest option but they are also extremely durable. This paddle is adjustable, comes apart in three pieces for easy storage and feels good to use.

Plus it floats and is fully height adjustable from 34″ – 82″.

DUAL ACTION HAND PUMP

The included hand pump is a good one and inflates the board in about 5-6 minutes.

It’s easy to use and has two different settings for single action and double action mode to make it easier to reach the desired air pressure of 12-15 PSI.

If you get tired of pumping you can always upgrade to an electric pump.  I tested the Shark II Electric Pump (my fave!) with this board and it worked great.

10’ COILED SUP LEASH

The leash is great. Secure one end to your ankle and the other end to the back D-ring on your board.

The leash will keep your board close if you should fall in. It’s an important safety item so be sure to use it.

TOURING FIN

The touring fin as mentioned above really helps with the tracking. It clips into the fin box and is easy to install. There are no extra parts needed.

I had a little trouble removing the fin afterwords, which is not uncommon but it slid out with a good yank.

REPAIR KIT

All inflatable stand up paddle boards come with a repair kit. Included in this kit is a valve wrench, glue and a couple of PVC patches.

IN SUMMARY

To sum it all up this board is an excellent price and although it doesn’t have any extra flashy features such as extra D-rings, back bungees, deluxe accessories, etc., it is stable and easy to ride and will provide hours of fun on the water.

It gets great reviews and if you’re just starting out and want an easy yet affordable board to learn on, the Goosehill Sailor inflatable paddle board will deliver.

WHERE TO FIND THE BEST DEAL

First it’s worth mentioning that Goosehill will ship globally.  They also have a great 30-day money back guarantee and a fantastic 3-year warranty so you can buy worry free.

For the best deal go straight to Amazon.com.

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