Which Starboard Touring SUP Size Should I Buy? 11'6 vs 12'6 vs 14' Guide

Starboard makes some excellent touring paddleboards, but choosing “a Starboard Touring” is only half the decision.

New 2027 option: The Starboard Touring Deluxe Single Chamber has arrived in 12’6 and 14ft options. Compare its sizes with the lower-weight Deluxe Lite models in this guide; live availability can vary by width.

Length and width change the board considerably.

A narrower 14-foot Touring can feel fast and efficient under an experienced paddler. Put a nervous beginner on the same board and they may spend the entire session concentrating on balance.

A 32-inch-wide version gives considerably more confidence and carrying ability, but you trade some outright efficiency.

For most paddlers moving from a normal all-round inflatable SUP, a 12'6 x 30" is the easiest step into touring. For paddlers wanting noticeably better glide over distance, a 14'0 x 30" is the all-round sweet spot. Go 28" for speed and 32" for maximum stability.

At The SUP Company, this is also one of the easiest buying decisions to settle properly because suitable touring boards can be tested at our Woodmill SUP Test Centre on sheltered water.

Quick Starboard Touring size guide

Size	Best for	Main strength	Main compromise
11'6 x 29"	Lighter riders, compact touring, manoeuvrability	Easy to handle on and off the water	Less glide and carrying capacity than longer options
12'6 x 30"	Newer touring paddlers and general UK use	Excellent blend of manageability, stability and glide	Not as efficient as a 14ft board over long distances
14'0 x 28"	Experienced, lighter or faster paddlers	Best speed and efficiency	Most demanding balance
14'0 x 30"	Long-distance touring and fitness	Best all-round 14ft balance	Longer to transport and manoeuvre ashore
14'0 x 32"	Heavier riders, kit carrying, mixed conditions	Maximum confidence and load stability	More drag than narrower versions

Exact Starboard sizes and constructions vary by model year, so check current product availability rather than assuming every historic width is available at all times.

Why length matters on a touring paddleboard

A longer board normally has a longer waterline.

That helps it:

• carry speed between paddle strokes;
• track straighter;
• cover distance with fewer corrections;
• feel less stop-start than a short all-round SUP.

This is why somebody moving from a 10'6 all-round inflatable onto a proper 12'6 or 14-foot touring board normally notices the difference immediately.

You do not necessarily paddle harder. The board simply wastes less of each stroke.

Why width matters just as much

Customers often concentrate on length because 14 feet sounds enormous.

In reality, width often has the bigger impact on how technically demanding the board feels.

A 14 x 32 is longer than a 12'6 x 30 but can feel reassuringly stable.

A 14 x 28 can feel significantly more technical because you have four fewer inches of width than the 32-inch version.

11'6 Starboard Touring: who is it for?

The 11'6 Touring size has appeared within Starboard's Touring family as the more compact option.

It is useful for:

• lighter paddlers;
• smaller rivers and waterways;
• people wanting better glide than an all-round board without committing to 12'6 or 14 feet;
• paddlers who value easier handling off the water.

Its limitation is simple: if distance efficiency is the main goal, the longer boards are usually better.

If you routinely paddle 7–10km or more, we would normally be asking whether 12'6 or 14 feet gives you more of what you actually want.

12'6 x 30 Starboard Touring: best first touring board

The Starboard Touring Deluxe 12'6 x 30" sits in a particularly useful place.

At 30 inches wide with approximately 355 litres of volume, it offers proper touring glide without becoming needlessly narrow.

Choose the 12'6 x 30 if:

• you are coming from a 10'6 or 10'8 all-round board;
• you want easier tracking;
• you paddle rivers, canals, lakes and sheltered coast;
• you want to paddle further with less effort;
• you still value easy handling and storage;
• you are not interested in racing.

The Starboard 12'6 Touring Deluxe Lite ONE Package is an especially accessible route into this size.

14'0 x 28: best for speed

This is where touring starts crossing into performance paddling.

At 14 feet long and only 28 inches wide, the board carries speed beautifully but asks more from the paddler.

Choose 14 x 28 if:

• you already have good balance;
• speed matters;
• you enjoy fitness paddling;
• you cover long distances;
• you may enter recreational races;
• you generally paddle without dogs, children or large loads of kit.

Do not choose it purely because 28 inches must be “better”.

If you are constantly bracing or shortening your paddle stroke to maintain balance, the theoretically faster board may be slower for you in practice.

14'0 x 30: our all-round 14ft recommendation

For many UK touring paddlers, 14'0 x 30" is the sweet spot.

You get:

• the glide of the 14-foot waterline;
• enough width for mixed UK conditions;
• good carrying capacity;
• greater confidence than the 28-inch board;
• a platform suitable for serious distance paddling without becoming race-board narrow.

If somebody tells us they want to paddle longer rivers, canals, harbours and coastal routes but have no interest in racing, this is often where we start.

14'0 x 32: best for heavier riders and extra stability

The 32-inch version exists for a good reason.

A touring board has to be usable, not merely efficient on paper.

Choose 14 x 32 if:

• you are a larger or heavier paddler;
• you regularly carry camping or touring kit;
• you paddle with a dog;
• you value stability in chop;
• you have balance concerns;
• you prioritise confidence over maximum speed.

You still gain the tracking and waterline of a 14-foot board. You simply trade some efficiency for a much more secure platform.

Current Starboard Touring Deluxe sizes compared

Size	Volume	Who we would put on it
12'6 x 30"	355L	Accessible touring and first serious distance SUP
14'0 x 28"	345L	Experienced paddler prioritising speed
14'0 x 30"	389L	Best all-round long-distance Touring choice
14'0 x 32"	409L	Heavier paddlers, loads and maximum stability

Should a beginner buy a 14ft paddleboard?

Yes, in the right width.

There is nothing inherently “advanced” about a board being 14 feet long.

Length can actually help tracking considerably.

The question is whether the width and overall shape suit the paddler.

A confident beginner planning distance paddles may be very happy on a 14 x 30 or 14 x 32.

A nervous newcomer using the board mainly for family beach sessions may be better on an all-round design.

Is a 14ft SUP hard to turn?

Compared with a 10'6, yes.

You have more board in the water.

Normal sweep turns take more space.

But as technique improves, stepping back and using pivot turns makes a 14-footer surprisingly manageable.

For narrow canals with lots of locks, obstructions and frequent turns, a 12'6 can still be the more convenient choice.

Which Starboard Touring is best for canals and rivers?

Choose 12'6 x 30 for maximum versatility.

Choose 14 x 30 if the river or canal is open enough for you to exploit the better glide and you regularly paddle meaningful distance.

For long-distance inland paddlers, 14 feet should not be dismissed simply because it looks long in the shop.

Which size is best for coastal touring?

For confident paddlers, 14 x 30 is extremely compelling.

Coastal chop can make the 28-inch board considerably more demanding, while the 32-inch option gives the most confidence if conditions are regularly unsettled.

Remember that board choice does not make unsuitable weather safe. Coastal paddling requires appropriate skills, safety equipment and planning regardless of SUP width.

Which Starboard Touring for a heavier rider?

Do not focus only on litres.

Width and stability matter too.

For a heavier rider, the 14 x 30 or 14 x 32 will usually be more relevant than the 14 x 28.

The 32-inch version becomes particularly attractive if you are carrying kit or simply want a more relaxed platform.

Deluxe or Deluxe Lite?

The other part of the decision is construction.

The Starboard Touring Deluxe is the more substantial premium inflatable construction.

The Starboard Touring Deluxe Lite prioritises lower weight and easier transport.

Choose Deluxe Lite if: pack weight, travel and carrying the board matter most.

Choose Deluxe if: you want a more substantial performance-led inflatable for regular touring and load carrying.

Should you buy an inflatable or hard Starboard Touring board?

If storage and transport allow it, a hard composite touring board will normally provide:

• cleaner glide;
• more direct power transfer;
• less flex;
• better acceleration;
• sharper performance.

An inflatable remains vastly easier to transport and store.

At Woodmill you can potentially compare the two formats on the water rather than relying on theory.

What paddle should you use with a Starboard Touring?

A better touring board deserves a paddle that lets you exploit it.

For flat-water touring and efficient distance paddling, the Starboard Lima Carbon F35 is an obvious match.

If you want a more forgiving paddle for broader all-round use and occasional surf, consider the Starboard Enduro Carbon F35.

Try Starboard Touring boards at Woodmill

This is one of the best examples of why The SUP Company's Woodmill SUP Test Centre exists.

On sheltered water you can feel:

• 12'6 versus 14ft;
• 28 versus 30 versus 32 inches;
• inflatable versus hard board;
• different paddle shapes;
• whether the “faster” board is actually faster for you.

Demo sessions are subject to equipment availability, conditions and booking.

Starboard hard touring boards: size is only part of the choice

Starboard’s Touring Starlite 2026 is listed in 12’6 x 31” (279 litres) and 14’0 x 30” (298 litres). The 14’0 Touring Lite Tech is also listed at 14’0 x 30” and 298 litres. If you are comparing the two 14-foot hardboards, dimensions match; Starlite has a full pine deck sandwiched between glass skins and woven rail protection, while Lite Tech uses pine in the standing area plus stringer bands and targeted reinforcement. See the full construction comparison. Stock can vary by variant, so check live product pages.

Starboard Touring size FAQs

Should I buy a 12'6 or 14ft touring SUP?

Choose 12'6 if easy handling and versatility matter most. Choose 14ft if you regularly paddle distance and want better glide and tracking.

What is the best Starboard Touring size for most paddlers?

For an accessible touring board, 12'6 x 30 is very easy to recommend. If you specifically want a 14ft touring board, 14 x 30 is our all-round sweet spot for many UK paddlers.

Is 14 x 28 too narrow?

Not for an experienced paddler with good balance, but it is significantly more technical than 30 or 32 inches. It makes most sense when speed and efficiency are higher priorities than maximum stability.

What Starboard Touring size is best for heavier paddlers?

Look closely at the 14 x 30 and 14 x 32. The wider 32-inch board gives the most confidence and load-carrying stability.

Can a beginner use a 14-foot SUP?

Yes. Length alone does not make a board advanced. A 14 x 30 or 14 x 32 can be very accessible for someone who wants distance touring, provided the width and conditions suit them.

Can I try Starboard Touring boards before buying?

Yes, where suitable demo equipment is available. The Woodmill SUP Test Centre in Southampton is specifically designed for comparing paddleboards and paddles on sheltered water before purchasing.

Still unsure which Starboard Touring to buy?

Tell us your weight, current board, normal distance, paddling location and whether speed or stability matters more.

Better still, apply for a session at the Woodmill SUP Test Centre and feel the difference yourself.

Browse the Starboard range at The SUP Company or view our touring paddleboards.