Sea Eagle Needlenose 126 Racer Review

Have you been stand-up paddling for a while and would like a board that offers more speed, more thrill and more of a challenge?

The Needlenose 126 Racer does just that. This board is so much fun but it is definitely not for a beginner.

It is a racing board designed specifically for speed and efficiency and it does that very well.

However at only 26” wide with a sleek tapered body it takes some getting used to and you will feel your balance challenged at all levels.

That being said once you get comfortable on this board you can cover some long distance with some real speed.

It is ideal not just for racing but for long distance fitness training as well.

It is 3 lbs. lighter than the regular 12’6” Needlenose and very easy to take anywhere.

126 Racer Specs

• 12’6” long
• 26” wide
• 6” thick
• weighs 22 lbs.
• can hold up to 200 lbs.
• inflates up to 15 PSI
• includes one removable high-performance race fin

Material: 1100 Decitex Reinforced Drop Stitch

Pros: Fast, easy to inflate, nice racing fin with US fin box, hard tip nose for slicing through waves and water, straight hull design, front grab handle, bungees for securing gear at bow, back D-ring for leash, long deck pad, kick tail at back.

Cons: Tippy – not for beginners.

More In-Depth Info

I won’t sugar coat it, the NN126 Racer takes some getting used to. It is not the board I would take out for a leisurely paddle.

It has a purpose and you have to really want a board that goes fast to put in the time to conquer the challenge of balance and stability.

That being said it is not impossible to ride and I found even after my first session with it I was far more comfortable at the last half of my hour long paddle than I was during the first half.

It takes more focus and skill to paddle but if you’re up for the challenge the results are worth it.

I much preferred using it on calm flat water. On ocean chop it was almost game over for me a few times although I did manage to stay on.

I was a little extra nervous because at the time of doing this review it is winter where I live and falling in the cold ocean water was not appealing.

If I was somewhere warm I likely would have been far more daring and I look forward to using it more as the weather (and water) warms up. 🙂

After a few times out I was really getting the feel for the 126 Racer and I have to say I was really enjoying myself as well.

Paddling this board initially was almost like being a beginner again. I had to really focus and I was aware of using all my muscles to balance properly.

For someone who wants to improve their skill level and paddling speed, this board is an excellent choice and it has some great standard features to be aware of.

NN 126 Racer Features

Patented Needlenose Design – The 126 Racer has the same patented Needlenose hard tip bow that the other Needlenose boards have.

This razor sharp bow really helps it to cut through the water in both flat water and in chop. We find that it makes a big difference in the performance of these boards.

26” Width & Straight-Line Hull Design – The lean width and straight-line design helps this board to glide smoothly and quickly through the water. On the flip side it also makes it far less stable than a wider recreational touring SUP.

Racing Fin – Different from the other Sea Eagle boards this one has a removable high-performance racing fin that attaches to the universal fin box.

You can choose to use this fin or replace it with your own racing fin. The fin definitely helps to keep it tracking straight.  In fact we noticed the tracking on this ISUP was excellent.

Front Bungees – The front bungee cords are attached to four D-rings at the bow.

These are ideal for securing a small dry bag, your PFD, water bottle or any other essentials you want to bring out with you.

Back D-ring – The large stainless steel back D-ring is perfect for securing your leash.

Front & Center Handles – There is one centre handle for carrying and there is also one front grab handle perfect for grabbing your board if you should fall in the water.

Halkey-Roberts Style Valve – The deluxe recessed Halkey-Roberts style air valve allows for easy inflation with no air leaks.

Kick Tail – The back kick tail is a nice added feature that is great to use for doing fast pivot turns.

Extra Long Traction Pad – The diamond grooved EVA foam traction pad provides good grip and is a nice length for walking and maneuvering your feet while paddling.

PaddlePocket – The built-in PaddlePocket holder is unique to the Sea Eagle boards and allows you to store the blade of your paddle in the pocket when not in use.

Setup

Setup is the same as with most inflatable SUP’s.

Take the board out of the bag, unroll, and inflate with the included hand pump.

We found the pump to work well but if you want to save your energy for the water we suggest a good electric pump.

Once inflated, secure the racing fin and off you go.

We found that with the leaner width this board is quite fast to inflate.

When you are finished paddling, dry the board off well, remove the fin and deflate.

Performance

If speed and efficiency are what you want, then the NN126R will deliver.

I would highly suggest starting off on flat calm water if you can and get comfortable with your balance before moving on to waves and chop.

I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the performance. Overall it is a wicked ride. Just takes a bit of practice to get confident and secure.

I found turning to be quick and efficient and the board really leans into the turn with you.  The tracking as mentioned is excellent and on long straight courses is where the NN126R will excel.

Once you get in a few good power strokes it glides almost effortlessly and it is easy to keep a good rhythm going.

Quality

The quality is similar to the other Sea Eagle boards. It is made with strong double layer drop-stitch PVC material that should hold up to a fair amount of use and abuse.

Although issues can happen with any ISUP, I have never had any problems with any of my Sea Eagle boards.

I feel very confident in the quality and construction.

L: NN126 Racer /  R: NN126

Backpack

The backpack that comes with this board is decent. It is their standard backpack with draw string at the top and adjustable padded shoulder straps.

The one problem with the Needlenose board is that the hard tip nose does make it a slightly bulkier package when stored away.

I always find them a little trickier to get back into the backpack after use. However after you’ve rolled them up a few times and put them away, you’ll get the hang of it.

Best Suited For

No doubt about it this ISUP is not for beginners. It is best suited for intermediate to advanced paddlers who want to go further much faster.

Although it is an ideal high-performance portable race board I think it is very well suited for fitness training as well.

It is perfect for anyone who wants to step up their game and bring on a new challenge.

I am excited to do some long distance paddle training with the 126 Racer, improve my core balance, my strength and my overall speed.

Below:  Love this picture of Darryl trying out the NN126R for the first time and feeling the wobbliness.  I was laughing from the shore.  🙂

Not sure if the Needlenose 126 Racer is for you?  The regular 12’6″ Needlenose is 4″ wider and slightly more stable.  It is also an awesome ISUP that moves well and is better suited for touring.

Click here to read our full review of the regular 12’6″ Needlenose.