THE GOODS
SUMMER PADDLING MUSTHAVES Here’s the lowdown on the best boats, accessories, and apparel to get you out on the water. B Y D O U G S C H N I T Z S PA H N
Hala
Fame Kit
Designed to be stable and reliable, the 11-foot, 30-inch inflatable Fame can handle anything from casting for largemouth bass to hauling gear for an overnight adventure. Nice and wide at 36 inches across at the middle and built with a square tail and progressive rocker, the board can navigate rapids, and a retractable fin helps you ease it into the shallows. Bonus: All that deck space and stability makes it the ideal choice for adaptive paddlers. The kit includes a paddle, pack, hand pump, and a rolling carry case. $1,349; halagear.com
Body Glove
Tandem 15' Inflatable Paddle Board / Kayak Package
Why SUP alone when you can enjoy the water alongside your bestie. This tandem package will get the two of you out exploring the waters on an inflatable 15-foot board that includes removable kayak seats. In either configuration it tracks well and remains stable, even if the two of you get out of sync. The full package includes the kayak seats, two
WATER WORLD paddles (that convert from SUP to kayak), pump, leash, and a handy cell-phone dry bag. $1,499; bodyglove.com
Hobie iEclipse
Not only are pedal-powered standups a blast, they also give you a gym-worthy workout out in the fresh air instead of the stank of the indoors. The problem is that they are not easy to transport—until now. Hobie’s new inflatable packs down and blows up (via an included high-volume electric pump) for simple set-ups, and the MirageDive Pedal Propulsion System will motor you all over your favorite body of water in a hurry. And put any hesitation about getting on one of these aside—it feels like a humanpowered jet ski on the water. $2,299; hobie.com
Alpacka Raft Ranger
Alpacka designed this raft to hit the sweet spot between lightweight and carrying capacity, making it the perfect vessel for big, gear-heavy adventures. Tipping the scales at just over 10 pounds in the 210d option (the more durable 420d version weighs just over 12 pounds and costs $50 more) and compressing down to 18 inches by 10 inches, it’s easy to haul in a backpack. Inflated, it has the ability to haul up to 750 pounds of paddler and gear
BODY GLOVE TANDEM 15' INFLATABLE PADDLE BOARD / KAYAK PACKAGE
ALPACKA RAFT RANGER
HALA FAME KIT OLD TOWN SPORTSMAN 106 PADDLE KAYAK
and has the space to bring your pup along. $1,500; alpackaraft.com
Old Town
Sportsman 106 Paddle Kayak
Ready to fish from a kayak? This versatile boat will slip you into spots other anglers can’t reach, whether you are out for freshwater bass, red fish, or stripers. Stable—you can easily stand on the deck to make casts—and maneuverable, the 10-foot, six-inch boat includes adjustable foot pegs and a comfy chair that’s a godsend when you are spending long days hitting the water. Plenty of hull storage space means you can even load it up for a short overnighter. And built-in cupholders make it easy to enjoy a beverage on the go. $900; oldtowncanoe.com HOBIE IECLIPSE
JUNE 2021 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM
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