Duotone Raven

Duotone Raven SUP 12'6" x 28.5"

The Duotone Raven SUP is a fast, efficient hard touring board designed for paddlers who want better glide, cleaner tracking and more distance from each paddle stroke. At 12'6" x 28.5", it gives you the speed and smooth waterline of a touring board without pushing you into the narrower, more demanding feel of a race board.

This non-bamboo version keeps the same purpose-led Raven touring shape, but uses Duotone’s more accessible Custom CNC construction, similar in positioning to the standard Duotone Flow hardboard rather than the upgraded Flow Bamboo or Raven Bamboo builds. That makes it a strong choice for paddlers who want real hardboard performance, excellent glide and a more sensible price point.

If your current board feels slow over distance, or you are ready to move beyond a general all-round SUP, the Raven is the sort of board that makes longer paddles feel easier, smoother and more rewarding.

Who is the Duotone Raven for?

The Raven is ideal for paddlers who enjoy touring, fitness paddling, exploring coastlines, lakes, canals and rivers, or simply covering more water without feeling like every stroke is hard work. It suits confident improvers, intermediate paddlers and experienced riders who want a fast touring SUP that still feels stable and composed.

It is not the best choice if you want a very wide first-time board for casual family paddling, or if storage and transport are difficult. In those cases, an inflatable paddleboard or wider all-round paddleboard may be a more practical option.

Why choose the Raven?

The Raven is designed around efficient distance paddling. The 12'6" length gives strong glide between strokes, while the 28.5" width keeps the board useable for real-world touring. It is quicker and more directional than a typical 10'6" all-round board, but more relaxed than a narrow race SUP.

The narrow piercing nose helps the board move cleanly through the water, while the wider mid-section and stable tail give the paddler a more confident standing platform. That combination is what makes the Raven so useful: you get speed, but not at the expense of comfort.

Key features

• Fast touring outline: built to cover longer distances efficiently with less wasted effort.
• 12'6" waterline: gives better glide and tracking than a shorter all-round SUP.
• 28.5" width: a good balance of speed and stability for confident touring paddlers.
• Race-inspired rocker line: helps the board accelerate smoothly and keep moving between paddle strokes.
• Piercing nose: cuts cleanly through flatter water and light chop for efficient forward progress.
• Slightly recessed deck feel: helps improve confidence by giving a more settled stance.
• Wide tail and high-apex rails: add stability and keep the board predictable underfoot.
• Catamaran-inspired side planes: support balance, tracking and efficient glide.
• Touring deck layout: front bungee storage gives space for a dry bag, spare layer, drink or light touring kit.
• Custom CNC construction: a durable, value-focused hardboard construction with a direct, efficient feel on the water.

Custom CNC construction

The standard Raven uses Duotone’s Custom CNC construction, giving you a shaped hardboard feel with a more accessible build than the Bamboo version. In practical terms, this means you still get the key benefits of a hard SUP: no inflation, no soft flex underfoot and a more connected response from each paddle stroke.

The Raven Bamboo remains the more premium option if you want the livelier, stiffer and more refined feel of Duotone’s Full Custom Bamboo construction. The standard Raven, however, is the more sensible choice if you want the touring shape and hardboard performance without paying for the top construction upgrade.

Raven vs Raven Bamboo

The main difference is construction. The Duotone Raven Bamboo uses a more premium bamboo sandwich build, which gives a stiffer, more responsive and more refined feel on the water. The standard Duotone Raven uses a more accessible Custom CNC construction, making it better value while still delivering the same core touring purpose: glide, stability and distance efficiency.

Choose the Raven if you want a fast hard touring board at a more approachable price. Choose the Raven Bamboo if you want the best version of the shape, a more direct feel and a more premium finish.

Performance on the water

The Raven is designed to reward smooth, rhythmic paddling. Once moving, the board holds speed well and tracks cleanly, which is exactly what you want on longer routes. Compared with a shorter all-round SUP, you should notice more glide, fewer correction strokes and a calmer cruising pace.

The shape is quick without feeling overly nervous. The width gives enough confidence for touring, while the longer outline makes it efficient for covering distance. It is a board that encourages you to paddle further because it does not feel like you are fighting the water.

Specifications

Package includes

• Duotone Raven SUP board
• Touring deck bungee storage system
• Fin setup as supplied by Duotone

Please note that paddles, leashes, board bags and transport accessories are not included unless clearly shown as part of the selected package or bundle. For the best setup, pair the Raven with a lightweight SUP paddle, a suitable SUP leash and the correct SUP transport accessories.

Buying advice

The Raven is a very good upgrade for paddlers coming from a shorter all-round board who want to paddle further and faster. It will feel noticeably more efficient than a 10'6" style board, especially on flatter water and longer routes.

If you want maximum performance and a more premium, responsive feel, look at the Raven Bamboo. If you want the same style of fast touring shape at better value, the standard Raven is the more practical choice.

To compare other boards in this category, browse our touring paddleboards and composite paddle boards.

Why buy from The SUP Company?

At The SUP Company, we focus on helping customers choose the right board for how they actually paddle. With a board like the Raven, the important questions are not just length and width, but whether you want inflatable convenience, hardboard performance, full touring stability or a faster freerace feel.

If you are unsure whether the Raven, Raven Bamboo or another touring board is the right option, speak to us before buying. You can also visit our SUP Test Centre at Woodmill for practical advice and board comparisons.

FAQs