bluefin cruise carbon 12 weight

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 Review

This is a review of the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12′ stand up paddle board.

Stand up paddle boarding is getting more and more popular, and the market is becoming crowded with different names and models of iSUP. Nowadays, it takes something special to stand out, and luckily, the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 is such a board.

I was looking for a board that would be solid and stable, so it can be used by both beginners and more advanced paddlers. The Bluefin Cruise Carbon ticks that box perfectly. Flex Reduction System (FRS) carbon composite rails, triple-layer shell, and dual-inflation chambers make the Cruise Carbon 12 amazingly rigid on the water.

With a large footprint, it is great for a taller rider , and also has a high weight capacity to carry passengers, pets, or cargo. The dual-inflation chambers make this one of the safest inflatable paddle boards that you can buy. You can take children with extra confidence.

I’m going to show you in my Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 review that this is an excellent all-around board that is great for almost any SUP application. Is the Bluefin Cruise Carbon the best inflatable SUP board that you’ve been looking for?

Read on to find out.

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 Pros and Cons

• Excellent all-around board performance. An inflatable board that can grow with you. Great for beginners, intermediate and advanced levels
• Extremely rigid and stable board thanks to dual-inflation chambers and flex reduction system carbon rails
• Great combination of maneuverability, tracking, and speed
• High maximum capacity of 385 lbs so is excellent for larger paddlers, cargo, passengers, and dogs
• Dual-inflation chambers make this board extra safe in the unlikely event of puncture or leak
• The Bluefin SUP board is relatively heavy to carry. However, with its dimensions and the excellent materials’ quality, the extra weight seems reasonable. 
• There are also extra carry handles, so it’s made easy for two people to move
• Because the board is heavier and larger, you have to make some effort to get it moving in common with similar SUPs. Once you are moving, unlike some boards, the Cruise Carbon 12 keeps its speed and glides brilliantly

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 Board Specs

• Length: 12’
• Width: 32”
• Thickness: 6”
• Weight: 38 lbs
• Weight Limit: 385 lbs

Who Should Buy the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 Paddle Board?

The Bluefin Carbon Cruise 12 is an excellent all-around paddle board suitable for almost any experience level. 

Beginners will enjoy the excellent stability on offer while intermediate or advanced paddlers can buy the Cruise Carbon 12, knowing they’ve chosen a versatile paddle board. 

Taller or heavier paddlers will love the confidence from the dimensions and weight capacity of the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12. Anyone that likes to feel comfortable underfoot, even when paddling all day, will enjoy the fantastic EVA Croco diamond deck pad.

If you even want to try kayaking, then the included kayak seat and paddle mean that you have everything you need.

Anyone wanting an all-around SUP that does almost everything will love the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12. This is a stiff board that is happy and stable in all but the roughest water conditions. The flex reduction system and dual-chamber technologies mean that this SUP is one rigid board.

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Features of the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 Inflatable Paddle Board

As we move on with my Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 review, I’m going to guide you through an in-depth look at the features that make this paddle board so great.

High Quality Construction

Let’s start by looking at how the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 is built. This inflatable paddle board is made with Bluefin boards extra strong 1000 denier exo surface laminate PVC. The unbeatable drop stitch core has 11,200 stitches of 500 denier yarn per square meter. 

With these materials, the very good workmanship maintains the board’s shape and incredible rigidity. They also allow the board to be inflated to a respectable 15 PSI maximum pressure.

The outer shell of the military-grade PVC on the Cruise Carbon is finished by heat welding a UV protection layer. This will keep the board looking fresh for a long lifetime. All in all, this extremely robust construction is built to last.

Carbon Composite Rails

On top of the normal Bluefin Cruise construction, they have added the Flex Reduction System (FRS) to the Cruise Carbon. 

Carbon fiber weave has been added to the rails to enhance rigidity further. The carbon fiber will also add extra toughness in this vital area and protect against minor impacts and scrapes.

Air Duo Inflation

Another major innovation on the Cruise Carbon 12 is the Air Duo inflation chamber system. Bluefin has divided the Cruise Carbon into two air chambers , a central section, and an outer inflation loop.

The second inflation chamber adds even further to rigidity and stiffness . They also form an incredible safety feature . The Cruise Carbon will remain floating even in the unlikely event of a complete puncture of one of the chambers.

With all the features added up, the Bluefin Cruise Carbon inflatable SUP has the feel of a rigid board.

Croco Diamond Deck Pad

The deck pad on the Bluefin Cruise Carbon makes it one of the best paddle boards I’ve ever had underfoot. The non-slip EVA padding is extraordinarily comfortable. It remains super grippy even when completely wet. However, it doesn’t stay wet for long as the diamond pattern allows for quick water shedding.

At the rear of the Cruise Carbon deck pad, Bluefin has included a kick pad to make quick turns on the board possible. Features like this show that the Cruise Carbon is a SUP that will grow with you as you get more experienced .

Excellent Weight Rating

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon board has an excellent maximum weight rating of 385 lbs. This means that if you’re planning a long touring trip, you can be confident that the board can cope with you and your cargo .

Alternatively, if you want to carry along an extra passenger or your dog, you can without pushing the board.

Well Placed Handles

Bluefin has been considerate when designing the Cruise Carbon 12. As this is a larger board, they have added plenty of handles to make carrying and maneuvering it easy.

There is the standard center handle and also one on each side, which is very helpful if you need to climb back on after a fall or swim. There is also a handle at the nose and one at the squared off tail. All handles are padded with neoprene for comfort, and they have a nice Bluefin logo.

It is possible to attach a shoulder strap with the D-rings on the side of the Cruise Carbon.

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon board is often used for carrying extra passengers. Grab handles have been added on both the nose and tail bungee cargo areas to make this easier and safer.

Bungee Cargo Areas

Speaking of the cargo areas, the nose and tail bungee storage areas are ready to secure your cargo. These are ideal for carrying your drybag, flip-flops, and water bottle. They are also the perfect paddle holder for when you’re having a rest.

Four D-rings secure each bungee. These can also be used to clip additional accessories like a cool bag safely.

Action Camera Mount

I love to film my inflatable stand up paddle board adventures, and Bluefin has made it easy by fitting an action camera mount at the nose of the board.

The fitting is an industry-standard size. It will take a wide range of cameras or other accessories, including Bluetooth speakers, phone holders, or cup holders.

Everything You Need to Switch to Kayak Use

The included kayak conversion kit comes with everything you need to start paddling sitting down. Unlike some manufacturers, Bluefin paddle boards have not only included the kayak seat kit . They have even given you a convertible paddle too!

The comfortable padded kayak seat securely clips to the provided d-rings on either side of the board. The second paddle blade is added to your existing paddle shaft, and you’re good to go.

Comes With a Full Set of High Quality Accessories

As well as the kayak conversion kit, Bluefin provides you with a complete package of accessories . I’m pleased to report that it’s all of a superior quality to match the board.

a. Bluefin Backpack

To store your Cruise Carbon SUP board or carry it for travel, there is a backpack-style bag. This has extra-wide padding on the straps and back, so it is comfortable to carry.

The bag is made from heavy-duty nylon , so it doesn’t matter if it gets wet or dirty. It’s easy to wash out after you’ve got home. The zipper webbing is reinforced for extra strength.

The SUP and accessories, including the pump, fit comfortably inside the bag, so this is perfect for traveling with.

b. Carbon Fiber Shaft Paddle

Bluefin has included a very high quality adjustable carbon fiber paddle. It has a lightweight carbon fiber shaft and a polyurethane blade. Overall they say that the paddle weighs 45% less than a standard aluminum set up, and in use, I can confirm that it’s comfortable and light.

The blade is designed to be impossible to chip or warp, and it stood up to my clumsiness. It feels solid in the water and helps you move along efficiently.

c. Triple Action Pump

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 is a large board. Thankfully, the included triple action pump is up to the job of inflating it.

Triple action means that you can adjust the function of the pump as you inflate your board. It can pump on the upstroke and the downstroke. Or you can vary as the pressure increases, and you need to squeeze in the last few PSI.

The double chamber pump will get the Cruise Carbon filled at about twice the speed of a regular pump . However, there are also tremendous electric pumps for those who prefer to save their energy for paddling. I thoroughly recommend that everyone considers this an essential accessory.

d. 3-Piece Fin Set

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 comes complete with three fins . I’m pleased to report that the center fin box is a US fin standard design. This means that you can easily swap the removable fin for something suitable for different water depths or conditions. Boards that use the US fin box always get an extra point from me as replacement fins are widely available.

The two small side fins use the smart lock fin system and can be taken on and off quickly depending on what SUP board activity you are doing.

e. Coiled Ankle Leash

A good ankle leash is an essential feature for any SUP board. The one included with the Bluefin Cruise Carbon comfortably wraps around your ankle. It has an excellent adjustable neoprene band.

The spring coils make sure that the leash doesn’t trail behind you. It stretches out when you need it and springs back when you don’t. A nice touch is that the end which connects to your board is padded so it won’t wear the board surface.

f. Repair Kit

Bluefin has added a SUP board repair kit just in case you have any accidents in the field. You’ll find adhesive patches suitable for minor damage. There’s also a tool to keep the Halkey-Roberts inflation valve tight.

g. Cellphone Case

Finally, the Bluefin SUP includes a nice waterproof case for your cell phone. 

We all want to take our phones with us when we paddle to take photos or stay in contact. It’s a really lovely touch to have a waterproof case included, so you really are ready to go.

Performance on the Water

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 is a solid SUP board for beginners. It will make most paddlers including intermediate and experts very happy .

Out on the water, the all-around paddle boarding design gives it excellent stability. It is fantastic at building beginner confidence. Intermediate and advanced paddlers will find that the Cruise Carbon 12 is highly maneuverable compared to other longer boards. 

The added kick pad even makes tight step-back turns possible.

The high overall weight capacity means the Cruise Carbon stays nicely in the water even with a load on board. The rocker nose performs well in small to medium chop with excellent glide. 

The 12’ length means that the Cruise Carbon tracks really nicely in a straight line. Speed is good , and it’s possible to get up quite a rate when touring.

Warranty 

The last feature I have to mention is the brilliant Bluefin Warranty. All Bluefin SUPs come with an outstanding 5-year manufacturer warranty. This is the longest given in the SUP industry.

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon also has a 60-day return policy . If you buy the board and change your mind, you can send it back unused for a refund, less shipping costs.

What Users Are Saying About the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 

You’ve seen that I think that the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 is one of the best SUP boards available.

To see what other users thought, I scoured the internet and found many highly positive reviews.

User Francis L wrote that he frequently uses the board with his three spaniel dogs. He finds the Bluefin Cruise Carbon highly stable even with the extra passengers moving about.

Gerry said that he purchased the Bluefin Cruise Carbon as his first board and is delighted with the complete accessory package. He said that he particularly liked that the board came with the complete kayak package. He had planned to buy them separately when he was looking at other SUP boards. Having them with the board convinced him the Carbon Cruise was the right choice.

Michelle said that she brought the Bluefin Carbon Cruise to carry her and her two children on trips . She said that the rigidity and stability of the board made the kids feel really comfortable; they enjoy hanging onto the grab handles as she paddles. As an experienced boarder, she was thrilled with the versatile performance of the Carbon Cruise when she managed to get out independently.

Alternatives to the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12

You might be interested in considering some of the other great boards on the market before making your final choice. These are two great options to check out before deciding if the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 is your ideal SUP. 

1. Bluefin Cruise Carbon vs Thurso Surf Expedition Touring SUP

The Surf is an 11’ 6” x 30” touring orientated inflatable SUP. Capacity is given as a maximum of 180 lbs . Thurso says that it can be increased for experienced paddlers.

The board comes in an attractive wood effect finish. Some purchasers might find this more to their taste than the Bluefins brighter pattern.

The Surf is an excellent board for touring long distances and has impressive glide and speed. Like the Cruise Carbon, the Surf also has carbon-reinforced rails for extra rigidity.

Thurso has included an accessory kit covering all the essentials. There is a brilliant 32oz carbon hybrid paddle and US fin touring fin. However, the popular Kayak conversion kit is not included – so if you want the versatility of a board that can give you a kayaking experience, then the Cruise Carbon 12 is the way to go.

One great feature I love on the Surf is the handy paddle holders at the side of the board. I wish that all boards came with these!

Overall the Thurso Surf is a brilliant board if you’re looking to travel long distances. It might not be as versatile as the Cruise Carbon, but it is still excellent, particularly for experienced paddlers.

You should take a look here .

2. Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 vs iROCKER Blackfin Model V 

The Model V measures a large 12’ 6” x 32” and has a huge capacity of 485 lbs. This large SUP needs an electric pumps efforts for inflation in my mind.

This is another fantastic touring style board. It also makes an excellent platform for SUP fishing thanks to the multiple included mounts. There are no fewer than eight action mounts located around the board, so if you want to use many accessories, this is a great SUP.

The Model V comes in three colors , so there is more choice than the Cruise Carbon, which only has one finish. This SUP also had carbon-reinforced rails for added rigidity. The Blackfin only has a single inflation cell, unlike the Cruise Carbon, so it is less secure. 

The Blackfin is an excellent, large, all-around board, and it’s well worth considering. The included accessory package is similar to the Cruise. The included iRocker bag has roller wheels to make it easy to travel with. Unlike the Cruise, the kayak conversion paddle isn’t included.

This is a great board with excellent stability and a vast amount of usable space.

Check it out for yourself here .

ALSO READ: Our review of one of the most stable paddle boards – the Blackfin Model X inflatable SUP

I think that the Bluefin Cruise Carbon is a brilliant all-around SUP. The board is incredibly stable for beginners and is a great place to learn. 

Innovative features like the carbon rails and dual air chambers help this inflatable SUP feel like a rigid board in the water.

There’s plenty of room for cargo and extra passengers. Taller or larger paddlers will feel confident too.

I’m confident that you’ll be delighted if you pick the highly versatile Bluefin Cruise Carbon. This SUP is capable of mastering a variety of activities for all experience levels. The Cruise Carbon will grow with you and provide you with many happy years on the water.

I recommend the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12, so make sure that you check it out right away. 

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Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12′ Review

By David De Haan

Last update: January 29, 2024

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon is an advanced iSUP that boasts of impeccable performance. It is shaped more like a touring SUP and has features that make it stand out. The board comes with more than just the typical SUP package that other boards offer. But is it as good as the manufacturer claims? We are about to find out in this in-depth Bluefin Cruise Carbon review?

But let’s get to know the manufacturer first.

The Bluefin SUP company is based in the UK and the paddleboards are available all around the globe. The company was started by two watersports enthusiasts in 2013. Will and Charlotte wanted families to enjoy premium iSUPs at affordable prices. So far, they have managed to make some of the most durable paddleboards you can get.

RELATED: What are the top rated inflatable paddle boards of 2024?

Take a quick look at the pros, cons, and paddleboard specs.

• Incredible construction, durable, 5-year warranty
• Complete SUP package and kayak conversion kit
• U.S fin box design, toolless installation
• Flex reduction system, remarkable rigidity
• High-quality accessories, paddle floats
• Side fins are not removable

Paddle Board Specs

• Length: 12’ (366 cm)
• Width: 32” (82 cm)
• Thickness: 6” (16 cm)
• Weight capacity: 385 lbs (175 kg)

Who Should Buy The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12′?

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon is ideal for touring, families, beginners, and paddlers looking for a well-performing, all-around SUP.

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 is long and narrow with a rounded square tail and pointy nose. The dimensions and shape allow it to glide with less resistance. This makes the board great for touring because you can paddle longer distances in a shorter time. It has two bungee storage areas for all your luggage when going on day-long excursions. The kayak conversion kit lets you take a break when you are tired of standing. 

According to the manufacturer, the Bluefin Cruise 12 can hold two adults and a pet. SUP is fun when alone, but there’s something special about sharing it with loved ones. The board has a weight capacity of 385 pounds (175 kilograms). If you are looking for a family paddleboard, you will love the Bluefin 12. The deck space is sufficient and it is super stable.

Speaking of stable…

That is the quality that every beginner wants their new paddleboard to have. This is what makes the Bluefin Cruise Carbon a great iSUP for newbies. It offers a long, wide platform for easy learning. The soft deck pad also gives you a comfortable place to stand/kneel on. And it keeps you from slipping when the board is wet too. These are some of the features that you’ll appreciate when getting started.

Lastly, if you want an all-rounder that performs well, the Bluefin Cruise Carbon is perfect. Most paddlers tend to be adventurous. They like to explore different areas, and that means different conditions. The Carbon 12 is designed to perform well in almost every condition. The construction will withstand pretty much anything. You can have it as your primary or secondary paddleboard.

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Bluefin Cruise Carbon Performance

A. stability.

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon paddle board is 12 feet long and 32 inches wide. Longer and wider paddleboards are more stable. Typically, a 32-inch width is standard. It offers enough stability for newbies, yoga, and other activities without being too bulky. Even with two paddlers and a restless dog, it is stable enough.

Although the length and width of a SUP are the biggest determinants of stability, the build quality plays a part as well. Cheaply made paddleboards flex, causing them to be less stable. The Bluefin is built using state-of-the-art technology, and two air chambers, which makes it as stiff as a hard SUP when fully inflated.

The thickness of the Bluefin contributes to its stability too. A thicker inflatable paddleboard is more rigid and has a higher volume. It rides above the water and can hold more weight. Thinner boards, on the other hand, will sink and bend making the paddleboard wobbly.

b. Maneuverability

The Bluefin is maneuverable. It handles well and is quite responsive.

Generally, the shorter the paddleboard, the more maneuverable it is. Seeing as the Bluefin is a little on the longer side, smaller people (especially inexperienced ones) may find it harder to handle. But it has a unique kick pad feature which enhances responsiveness, helping you make quick sharp turns. 

The fin system also helps with maneuverability.

c. Tracking

The Bluefin Cruise tracks exceptionally, thanks to the fin system.

A paddleboard that doesn’t track properly will be snaking all over the place. You will find yourself switching sides more than necessary. Fins prevent the tail from being swayed to the side when you push water back with each stroke. This ensures that the paddleboard maintains a straight line.

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 is fast—faster than the average all-around SUP.

It is long and narrow with a pointed nose. This shape reduces resistance and helps it cut through the water smoothly and with impressive speed. 

But unlike most iSUPs designed for speed, it is not too long and too narrow. So it manages to strike a balance between speed and stability.

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Build Quality

Like all Bluefin paddleboards, the Cruise Carbon 12 is made using 1000D exo-surface laminate and pro-weave Dropstitch technology. The paddleboard is so tough it can be inflated to 28 PSI. It also has a flex reduction system. The rails are reinforced with carbon and heat-welded to make the board extremely rigid and indestructible.

For added stiffness, it has two air chambers. The inflation loop is independent of the main air chamber. The paddleboard can float on the inflation chamber only. Not only does this Air Duo feature make the board more rigid, but it also increases safety.

The Bluefin SUP company offers a five-year warranty for the paddleboard.

Quality construction means a durable paddleboard. People prefer inflatable boards for their portability and durability. iSUPs like the Bluefin Cruise Carbon are virtually indestructible. This board has been tested in every kind of way to ensure you are getting nothing but the best. You will have an amazing time traveling everywhere with the Bluefin SUP. Unlike a solid SUP, it will not get dents or dings when you drop it or bump it against something.

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon is built like a touring paddleboard. It is long and slightly narrow with a square tail and pointed nose. This design allows it to be fast yet stable and easy to control.

At the end of the board, there’s a kick pad feature that helps you make sharp turns quickly. The iSUP only comes in one color but it looks great.

The board has a fixed GoPro-ready mount at the nose.

Board Features

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 features a three-fin setup. The large center fin is removable but the side fins are not. Most paddlers prefer to have three removable fins because the paddleboard folds nicely once deflated. Additionally, it is good to be able to change the fin configuration to suit the condition you’ll be paddling in. However, this is not a deal-breaker. The Bluefin Cruise still folds compact.

The inflatable paddle board comes with the versatile US fin box—something that SUPers will appreciate. Even better, you don’t need tools and there are no small parts that can get lost.

2. Deck Pad

The Bluefin Cruise has a croco-diamond deck pad that offers enough traction and comfort. It is much grippier than most deck pads. It keeps you from slipping when your feet and the board are wet. While it is not a full-length pad, it covers a fairly large area.

This paddleboard comes with five grab handles—at the center, nose, tail, and sides. The neoprene handles make the board easy to carry, whether alone or with a friend. 

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 has 14 D-rings. They are for attaching the provided kayak seat and customizing your paddleboard. Eight of the D-rings have been used to create cargo storage areas at the front and rear.

SUP Board Accessories

As already mentioned, you get more than just a SUP bundle with the Bluefin Cruise Carbon. In addition to a paddle, bag, leash, and pump, it comes with a kayak conversion kit.

a. The Paddle

It has a carbon-fiber shaft and a polyurethane blade. It is 45% lighter than the average aluminum paddle that you get in most SUP packages. The paddle blade is extremely tough and it will not warp or chip. It has a no-flutter design too. This helps you save energy with efficient strokes.

b. The Pump

The triple-action Bluefin Cruise pump inflates on both the downstroke and upstroke, making your work easier. It features a slim, lightweight design and fits nicely into the bag. The pump also has an ergonomic grip and a high-pressure PSI gauge.

The durable Bluefin backpack has extra padding on the straps and back for added comfort. The straps are wide too. 

The bag fits the paddleboard and all the accessories. It has outside pockets and reinforced zipper webbing. It now includes wheels to make those long hikes much easier.

d. Kayak Conversion Kit

It includes a kayak seat and an additional blade. Now you don’t have to choose between kayaking and SUP. Converting your Bluefin Cruise Carbon to a kayak takes a couple of minutes. And you won’t need any tools.

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What Users Are Saying

Helen loves SUP while her husband loves kayaking. With a kayak, it is hard to stretch out your legs and when the flow is stronger, she wanted to be able to change from SUP to kayaking. For them, the Bluefin Cruise Carbon seemed like the perfect choice. She says that they had fun the first time they used their Bluefin boards. They were easy to control even in tricky areas and they have proven to be very stable.

Richard loved his Bluefin 10’8 so much that he decided to buy the Bluefin 12. He couldn’t be happier with his decision. He says that it is super tough and the design is nice. He can walk back and forth on the board comfortably even though he weighs 200+ pounds. It is that stable. Three adults have ridden on the board with no issues too. 

Mike loves the Bluefin Cruise package. He is so thrilled about the kayak seat and blade. He would have had to buy them separately had he got a typical SUP bundle. He describes the Bluefin Cruise as extraordinary and says that the quality is outstanding.

Lizzy says that the Bluefin SUP is super stable and easy to maneuver. Her dog jumps on it and it doesn’t tip. However, she doesn’t give it five stars. She says that manual inflation is a difficult task.

Jerry agrees with Lizzy. The paddleboard is fantastic but it took him almost half an hour to get to the recommended PSI. Once inflated, he says that the rigidity is unmatched.

Bluefin Cruise Carbon Alternatives

A. bluefin cruise carbon 12 vs thurso surf expedition.

The Thurso Expedition paddle board is designed for long tours. It is built using what Thurso Surf claims to be the “strongest iSUP structure on the market.” It features a dual-layer construction and triple/quad PVC coating on the deck and sides.

It is fairly long (11’5) and narrow (30 inches). The nose is pointed, giving it a streamlined shape that facilitates speed.

The Expedition inflatable SUP comes with a carbon paddle that weighs 2 pounds, backpack, leash, and pump.

The Bluefin is longer than the Thurso but wider. You can expect it to be more stable. As far as speed goes, the difference will be barely noticeable. The Thurso is shorter and this may slow it down a little. But it is narrower and glides with less resistance. So they are almost the same.

The Thurso comes with three removable fins. You can’t remove the side fins on the Bluefin. The board features a paddle holder too. You will not get this with the Bluefin Carbon Cruise.

But the Bluefin has its great qualities. To begin with, it comes with a five-year warranty, while the Thurso has a two-year warranty. There are only two grab handles on the Expedition whereas the Bluefin has five.

The two paddle boards are similar in many ways. When it comes to construction and performance, they both will not disappoint.

b. Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 Vs Blackfin Model V

Whenever touring paddleboards are mentioned, the Blackfin Model V will always come up. That’s because it is an amazing paddleboard from iRocker, a reputable SUP company.

The paddleboard is built using triple-layer composite PVC construction. The manufacturer says that it is just as durable as a quad-layer SUP but 20% lighter. It has a weight capacity of 485 pounds. The Blackfin Model V SUP package includes a leash, paddle, pump, and backpack. The bag has wheels and the paddle has a carbon shaft and nylon blade.

The Model V features eight action mounts and 20 D-rings for attachment and customization. You can bring your camera, fishing rod holder, sand spear, speakers, and much more. The Bluefin only comes with 14 D-rings and a GoPro mount. All the fins on the Model V are removable.

These two SUPs are 32 inches wide but the Model V is longer. You can expect it to glide faster but the speed difference is not much. Both of their bags have wheels which makes transportation easier.

The Bluefin Carbon Cruise has more grab handles—two more than the Blackfin Model V. The Bluefin is covered by a five-year warranty while the Model V’s warranty is two years. The Bluefin package includes a kayak conversion kit. For the Model V, the kit is sold separately.

Both paddleboards are made using impeccable construction. They come with high-quality accessories that last almost as long as the SUPs. Paddlers rate them highly.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Blackfin Model X Review – how good is this multi-functional paddle board?

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12 is a well-made inflatable SUP that performs remarkably. It is mainly a touring paddleboard but it would make a fantastic all-rounder as well. You have seen from the user feedback that its stability is commendable. Although the manufacturer says that it holds two adults and a dog, someone had three adults on his Bluefin with no issues. The five-year warranty shows confidence on the company’s part. And don’t forget that you get a full premium SUP bundle and a kayak conversion kit.

Do you have any question about the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12? Feel free to ask us below.

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Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12′ Paddleboard – Test and Review

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Manufacturer and Model: Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12′ List Price: $602

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon line is their upgraded all around board line. They have dual air chambers along with carbon reinforced rails. They come with upgraded accessories, including carbon paddles, a wheeled bag, and a triple action pump. As a bonus, they also include a kayak seat and conversion paddle blade.

The Cruise Carbon comes in 3 sizes: 10’8″, 12′ and 15′. The price ranges from $602 to $736. This puts them at a very budget friendly price, well below premium brands such as Red Paddle Co. and Starboard.

What we liked:

• Bluefin offers a 5 year warranty on their inflatable paddleboards
• The board is very stiff for an inflatable paddleboard allowing for hard and aggressive paddling
• Good on water performance for heavier over 300 lb paddlers
• Comes with a kayak seat and extra paddle blade
• The backpack straps can be stowed away on the bag.

What we didn’t like:

• The clamps on the paddle need to be tightened before using
• The bag doesn’t have a handle on both sides
• The kick pad is too far rearward on the board to be useful
• The board is on the heavier side at almost 35 lbs

Specifications

• Size  – 12′ x 32″ x 6″
• Weight Capacity  – 386 lbs
• Board Weight  – 34.8 lbs
• Construction  – ESL Fused PVC with Carbon Rails
• D-Rings  – 14 D-Rings
• Paddle  – 3 Piece Carbon
• Pump  – Triple Action Hand Pump

Bluefin Carbon Cruise Features

Let’s get into the details of the Bluefin Carbon Cruise.

6 – Warranty

Bluefin offers a 5 year warranty on all their inflatable paddleboards. This is much longer than the 1 to 2 year that is normal. It’s 2 years longer than the 3 year warranty offered by iRocker. A 5 year warranty means that the company really believes in the durability of their product.

6 – Construction

The Cruise Carbon is constructed with fused PVC drop-stitch and carbon reinforced rails. It has dual air chambers that add even more to the stiffness and safety of the board.

The board has a diamond grid deckpad that extends from the rear of the front bungee back to the rear of the board. The board has a kick pad in the rear of the deck pad.

The board has a front and rear bungee and 14 D-Rings. There are also 2 action mounts at the front and 2 at the rear of the board.

Underneath, you will find a standard 3 fin arrangement. The 2 small fins use flip locks. The center fin uses a US fin box, giving you more options for after market fins. The US Fin box does make that fin take longer to install, and you have to be careful not to lose the small brass nut and bolt.

6 – Stiffness

We did our standard stiffness test with the Cruise Carbon. We put 121 lbs on the middle of the board and measured how much it deflected. The board only went down 0.9 inches.

This was the stiffest board we have tested to date. Most $400-$600 boards deflect in the 1.1 to 1.4 inch range. Most cheap $200-$300 boards will deflect 2.5 to 3 inches or more. This board is really stiff for an inflatable.

10 – Accessories

The Cruise Carbon comes in a complete package that includes a 3 piece carbon paddle, roller bag, triple action pump, ankle leash, phone case, and repair kit. As a bonus, they also throw in a kayak seat and conversion blade. Every accessory is upgraded from what you will find in the standard Bluefin Cruise package.

The bag is padded and has rollers on the bottom. The padded backpack straps can be stowed away, so the straps aren’t hanging everywhere. There is a pocket on the side that can hold a paddle blade. The bag easily fits this entire package with no trouble getting the zipper closed.

The paddle has a carbon shaft with a nylon blade. It has clamps at both joints, which helps prevent rattle and clunkiness. A separate kayak conversion paddle blade is also included that can take the place of the SUP handle for use as a kayak paddle.

One note about the paddle. You will need a screwdriver to tighten the clamp bolts on the top clamp. It is too loose out of the box. The paddle handle will slide down and turn if you try to paddle hard.

A triple action, double barrel hand pump is included. It has a removeable handle and base so that it can fit in the bag easier. A small pump storage bag is also included. This is a nice touch for keeping all the parts together and organized inside the roller bag. The pump can inflate and deflate and has a dial for switching modes.

I always use an electric pump instead of the hand pump. I’d rather use my energy to paddle than pump.

See our review of the Bluefin Swift-E pump for a good electric pump option.

A generic padded kayak seat is included. This can be clipped onto the 4 seat D-Rings on the board.

9 – On the water

The Cruise Carbon 12′ is a bigger board. It has a more pointed nose, which helps with glide and cutting through small chop. It’s 32 inch width still makes it a very stable board that is suitable for larger beginners.

The board is stiff enough that it can be aggressively paddled. One of my testers noted that he could paddle it fast enough to leave a wake.

The 3 fin arrangement does a good job with tracking once water is moving over the fins. The 12′ Cruise is either an oversized all around board or a smaller beginner touring board.

It would also work really well for paddling with a dog. You have a lot of deck space, and the bungee cords are removable.

This board excels for larger paddlers in the 300 to 350 lb range. The dual air chambers give the board much more stiffness underfoot. Your feet don’t sink down into the middle of the board like they do on a single chamber board.

The kick pad at the very tail of the board is too far rearward to really be useful. One experienced paddler tried to do step turns with this board. They couldn’t get far enough rearward on the board to get onto the step pad.

10 – Kayak Conversion

The board includes everything you need to turn it into an inflatable sit on top kayak. The generic padded seat works okay. It doesn’t have the padding or support needed to be comfortable for more than an hour or 2.

The carbon paddle works as well as any convertible paddle. It doesn’t have drip rings so you will get a little wet. The SUP blade shape is not ideal, but it gets the job done.

Recommendation – Buy or No Buy?

If you are a larger paddler that needs a stiffer board, the Bluefin Cruise Carbon is for you. If you want a longer board with room for your dog, the 12′ Carbon Cruise is also for you. The dual air chambers and carbon reinforced construction make it very stiff. The included accessories, including kayak conversion, make it a good value for the price.

See the Deals!

Ryan Craig Co- Founder & Chief Editor

I am a total gear nerd and love learning how things work and thinking about how they could be improved. Nothing excites me more than trying out new gear. I’d rather spend 3 hours taking my bike apart and learning how to change something than go to a bike shop. These days, I reside in Michigan by the Great Lakes and go skiing, biking, and boating as much as possible. Visit our About Us page and learn more.

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Bluefin Cruise vs Bluefin Cruise Carbon (Compared)

Benjamin Hagg

January 24, 2024

We are reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.  Learn more.

Since we began reviewing paddle boards in 2016, we’ve tested over 100 different models.

Many people asked us a simple question: Bluefin Cruise vs Bluefin Cruise Carbon.

We’ve personally reviewed both boards and spent a lot of time to see how they compare.

So, which one is better: the Bluefin Cruise or the Bluefin Cruise Carbon ?

Read the full review

Super Stiff Paddle Board with 5-Year Warranty

Bluefin Cruise

Exceptional Stiff Paddle Board with 5-Year Warranty

Bluefin Cruise Carbon

Table of Contents

• 1 📊 Data & Facts
• 2 #1 🛠 Built & Material
• 3 #2 ⚖️ Weight Limit
• 4 #3 🏄‍♂️ Intended Use & Riding Characteristics
• 5 #4 🎨 Design
• 6 #5 ⭐ Features
• 7 #6 🎒 Accessory
• 8.1 Which is better, Bluefin Cruise or Bluefin Cruise Carbon?
• 8.2 Who should pick the Bluefin Cruise and who the Bluefin Cruise Carbon?
• 9 Conclusion

📊 Data & Facts

#1 🛠 built & material.

• Construction : The Bluefin Cruise boards use a modern Fusion construction (ESL Fusion-Layer) for their outer shell, combining lightness with strength. This technique involves a UV-resistant PVC layer fused with the dropstitch core under heat and pressure, leading to a durable and lower-weight product.

• Material Quality : Known for excellent material and build quality, the Bluefin Cruise boards benefit from the Fusion technology, ensuring durability and maintaining rigidity while being lighter than previous models.
• Construction : The Bluefin Cruise Carbon takes construction a step further by incorporating a fully welded Fusion build (ESL Fusion), combined with a carbon layer (FRS – Flex Reduction System). This innovative approach ensures supreme rigidity and lightness.

• Material Quality : The use of carbon rails significantly enhances stiffness, making the board perform close to a hardboard. The build quality is high-end, reflecting in its premium price range.

Takeaway: The Bluefin Cruise offers a durable Fusion construction, ideal for general use. The Cruise Carbon, with its advanced Fusion and carbon layer, provides enhanced stiffness and performance, suitable for more demanding conditions.

#2 ⚖️ Weight Limit

The Bluefin Cruise paddleboard series offers a range of sizes, each with a specific weight limit, making it versatile for various paddlers.

The smallest in the series, the 9’8″ model, is designed to comfortably support paddlers weighing up to 70-80 kg, ideal for lighter individuals or youth. Moving up, the 10’4″ version accommodates paddlers in the 80-90 kg range, striking a balance between agility and support.

For those closer to 100-110 kg, the 10’8″ model offers a larger surface and increased buoyancy, ensuring stability and ease of use. The largest size, the 12′ board, caters to paddlers weighing between 120-130 kg, making it suitable for larger individuals or those who plan to carry additional gear on their paddleboarding adventures.

These clearly defined weight limits across the Bluefin Cruise range ensure that each paddler can select a board that offers optimal performance and stability tailored to their size.

In contrast, the Bluefin Cruise Carbon models are specifically designed with a focus on higher weight capacities, making them suitable for larger paddlers or those who prefer to embark on longer journeys with more equipment.

The two available sizes, 10’8″ and 12′, both boast a robust construction that caters to higher weight limits without compromising on performance. The 10’8″ model is particularly noteworthy for its ability to support approximately 110 kg, making it a reliable choice for most paddlers.

The 12′ version extends this capacity even further, accommodating up to around 130 kg. This makes it an excellent option for heavier paddlers or those looking to undertake extensive touring adventures.

The superior weight handling of the Bluefin Cruise Carbon models is a testament to their sturdy construction and design, aimed at delivering a high-performance paddling experience.

Takeaway: The Cruise series caters to a broader weight range with multiple size options, perfect for varied users. The Cruise Carbon, with its higher weight capacity, is tailored for larger paddlers or those carrying extra gear.

#3 🏄‍♂️ Intended Use & Riding Characteristics

• Versatility : The Bluefin Cruise is an all-rounder, performing well in various conditions. It’s a great mix between a touring and an all-around board, offering a balance of stability and glide.

• Board Options : With different sizes available, it caters to everyone from beginners to advanced paddlers. The smaller boards are more agile, while the larger ones offer better tracking and stability for longer tours.
• Enhanced Performance : Designed for paddlers who seek an ultra-stiff, high-performance board. The carbon construction enhances rigidity, making it ideal for longer tours and higher speeds.

• Riding Characteristics : Both sizes offer a combination of stability and smooth gliding. The 10’8″ is more maneuverable, while the 12′ excels in straight-line tracking and speed, making it a great choice for touring.

Takeaway: The Bluefin Cruise excels in versatility, suitable for beginners to intermediates in various conditions. The Cruise Carbon is optimized for advanced paddlers, offering superior speed and performance, especially in touring.

#4 🎨 Design

The Bluefin Cruise boasts a sleek, streamlined design, available in various colors. The combination of black and grey on the deck pad, accented by the main color of the board, offers both style and functionality.

Manufacturer details and model information are subtly included, creating a look that is as practical as it is visually appealing.

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon features a sophisticated design with darker tones of anthracite and grey, highlighted by turquoise, black, and white accents.

The sporty look is enhanced by the carbon layer, contributing to its premium appearance and standout style on the water.

Takeaway: Bluefin Cruise combines style with practicality in its colorful, sleek design. The Cruise Carbon, sporting a sophisticated and sporty look, appeals to those valuing aesthetics alongside performance.

#5 ⭐ Features

• Deckpad with Kickpad : Non-slip EVA foam deck pad for grip and comfort, featuring a kickpad for maneuvers.

• Three-Fin Setup : Smartlock System for easy adjustment, enhancing stability and tracking.

• Extended Deckpad : Incorporates the valve into the standing area for a seamless look.
• Noserocker Design : Improves the board’s performance in choppy waters.
• Multiple D-Rings : For attaching accessories and securing gear.

• Action-Cam Mounts : Integrated at strategic points for recording adventures.

• Advanced Fin-System : Smartlock and US-Box systems provide versatility in fin placement.

• Dual Deck Nets with Reflectors : Removable, offering significant storage and filming options.

• Extended Deckpad : Offers superior grip and is equipped with a Kickpad.

• Multiple Air Chambers : Enhances safety and buoyancy.
• Action-Cam Integration : Five mounting points for comprehensive recording angles.

Takeaway: The Bluefin Cruise boasts user-friendly features like a non-slip deck and a three-fin setup for stability. The Cruise Carbon adds advanced elements like the US-fin and multiple action-cam mounts for a high-performance experience.

#6 🎒 Accessory

• Fiberglass Paddle : Adjustable and lightweight, suitable for different user heights.

• Efficient Dual-Action Pump : With a pressure gauge for accurate inflation.
• Coiled Safety Leash : Keeps the board within reach.

• Comprehensive Repair Kit : For quick, on-the-go fixes.

• Waterproof Phone Case : Ensures phone safety and accessibility.

• Backpack : For easy transportation and storage.

• Manual : Detailed guidelines for optimal use.

• Lightweight Carbon Paddle : Durable and adjustable for efficient paddling.

• Triple-Action Pump : For faster inflation, saving time and effort.
• Coiled Leash : For safety and convenience.

• Extensive Repair Kit : To address various types of repairs.

• Waterproof Phone Case : Keeps your device dry and functional.

• Backpack-Trolley : Versatile for travel and easy transport.

• Manual : Comprehensive instructions and tips.

• Carbon-Reinforced Fins : Durable and designed for optimal performance.

Takeaway: Both models come with comprehensive accessory kits. The Cruise includes essentials like a fiberglass paddle and dual-action pump, while the Cruise Carbon offers upgraded accessories such as a carbon paddle and a triple-action pump for enhanced efficiency.

Which is better, Bluefin Cruise or Bluefin Cruise Carbon?

Whether the Bluefin Cruise or the Bluefin Cruise Carbon is more suitable for you depends on your specific paddling requirements. The Bluefin Cruise is perfect for beginners and versatile in its usage, catering to various activities. In contrast, the Bluefin Cruise Carbon is tailored for advanced paddlers who prioritize high performance and rigidity, making it especially ideal for touring purposes.

Who should pick the Bluefin Cruise and who the Bluefin Cruise Carbon?

Choose Bluefin Cruise for recreational, versatile use, suitable for beginners to intermediates. Opt for Bluefin Cruise Carbon if you’re an experienced paddler focused on performance, speed, and long-distance touring.

In conclusion, both the Bluefin Cruise and Bluefin Cruise Carbon offer quality experiences tailored to different paddling needs.

The Bluefin Cruise, with its user-friendly design and versatility, is an excellent choice for those new to paddleboarding or those who enjoy a variety of leisure activities on the water.

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon, featuring advanced construction and performance-oriented design, caters to the needs of more experienced paddlers or those seeking a board for touring.

Water is Benjamin's element. In 2019, he made his first attempts on a SUP board and since then he's constantly learning. For him, stand-up paddling is a great way to combine a workout and feel relaxed at the same time. The perfect balance to everyday life!

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Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ Review

• Build: Inflatable
• Skill: Beginner / Advanced
• Brand: Bluefin
• Our score: 9.8 | Read our conclusion
• This board can be used for:

The perfect all-around Stand Up Paddle Board does exist!

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ is the perfect versatile board suited for all all-around paddle boarding. The board is incredibly hard and almost unbreakable , unlike any inflatable ever seen. This amazing board comes with a convertible carbon paddle, coiled leash, kayak seat, triple action pump, and more. A purchase nobody will regret ! Before we go into the review, I want to let you know that there are 3 different sizes of the Bluefin Cruise Carbon. Although here I’m talking mostly about the 10’8, the features are the same for all three, and the only difference is the length which, of course, changes the way you perceive and use the board. Throughout this text, you will also see pictures of all three, so you have a better understanding of what you’re getting.

This year Bluefin released the new&improved Cruise Carbon, and I was lucky enough to get one of the first boards to test. We have tested the two versions of these boards extensively, and you will see a lot of personal pictures of us on these two boards. The latest Cruise Carbon 2023 version is the DARKER SUP while the old Cruise version is in BLUE. In this review below, I will show you how we experienced these paddle boards.

Let’s get to it then!

Bluefin Cruise NEW Version Pros and Cons

• Great price for a full package with the complete accessories pack
• The NEW Carbon is now 24lbs or 10.9kg – a lot lighter than the OLD version! ⭐️
• Extra Carrying strap in the package (and D-ring to attach them)
• The action mount on the nose has a D-ring too
• SUP has two compartments – AIRDUO double chamber stiffening technology which makes the board ultra-strong and packed with power.
• Customizable fin setups for different water conditions
• Very stable and reliable board
• Great for beginners and advanced boarders
• Amazing online reviews; everyone loves this board!
• Bungee cords in front and back
• Convertible paddle and kayak seat included
• Very big grip deck with a kick pad for optimal stability during maneuvering
• The OLD Carbon board is quite heavy (33 LBS) while the NEW Carbon is significantly lighter

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon is most suitable for the following:

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon offers a complete package and the most sturdy inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard available on the market. So, this is basically recommended for everyone who wants an all-around paddle board that can be used for multiple purposes . Only if you are looking for a paddle board for very specific purposes like fishing, yoga, or racing and don’t want to do anything else with your board, this would not be the best choice for you.

🔥Check out my FULL REVIEW of the NEW Cruise Carbon! ↓🔥

Although if you’re looking for the perfect touring board , you should surely check out the 12′ version of this board!

The board is very stable and has a length of 10’8″ long and 32″ width . So it is a very stable board, but because of the width, it is clearly not meant for racing and reaching high speeds ( which is not the purpose of an all-around paddle board , anyway). But the pointy nose of the board does allow you to make some speed on this sporty model.

This board offers the best value for money possible, and it will give you a very long time of paddling pleasure. Bluefin SUP offers an amazing 5-year warranty on all of their boards! (only matched by Red Paddle). They also offer 1-year manufacturing warranty on the included accessories. So you can be sure you will love the board, and it will not break anytime soon. The insane quality and the very long warranty ensure the best of the best gear. The board is very stable and super stiff, so you will have a smooth ride every time. This all-around board is your best versatile board no matter what you want to do.

Max Rider Weight

Max air pressure.

Primary use All Round / Relaxing / Touring / Pets / Family

Speed on the water The board is designed for every paddler with an all-around purpose, so speed is not the main focus. But because of the pointy nose it is possible to reach some higher speeds than the regular shaped all-around paddle boards. Also, the reinforced rails and stringer help to increase speed while maintaining stability.

Transport The NEW CRUISE CARBON SUP has a weight of 24 lbs / 10.9 kg, which is improved compared to the previous version, which was 15 kg or 33 lbs. You can take it with you fairly easily thanks to the wheeled backpack, which is a fantastic improvement to its gear!

Stability The 32″ width makes the board more stable than your average 30″ width board, which is good for beginners to start on. The 6″ thickness and the sturdy material offer even more stability and support.

My own experience

I recently had the opportunity to try out the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 Paddleboard on the water, and I have to say, it was an amazing experience! The Bluefin Cruise Carbon is so stiff I could not believe it. As soon as I stepped onto the board, I could feel its sturdy and stable design. Despite being an inflatable paddleboard, it felt incredibly rigid and responsive, even in choppy waters.

It can be inflated up to 28 PSI , but even at the regular 15 PSI, it felt incredibly stiff because of the used material. The ride was very smooth on calm water and even the wilder sea (as far as it can get wild in the Netherlands ;-))

You can just feel the quality of this board when you touch it and sense how stiff and stable it is. The same goes for the high-quality paddle board accessories . Inflating the boards was done in about 5 minutes , and then I was ready to get out on the water.

⭐️Compare Bluefin Boards To Make The Best Choice⭐️

I started paddling out towards the open water and was immediately impressed by how easy it was to maneuver . The board felt incredibly agile and responsive to my every move, making it easy to navigate through the waves. I also love how lightweight it is, which made it easy to carry around.

The board gave me an incredibly stable feeling and made it extremely easy to paddle through the water. The paddle is light and sturdy , so I did not exhaust me too quickly, which happens a lot faster with an aluminum paddle.

I felt very secure and did not hesitate to stay on this board for a longer time. As the board has both bungee cords on the front the back , it was easy to take all the necessary supplies . I like to take my water bottle and some snacks to eat in the water. (I prefer some nuts for the quick energy, but also, pomegranate is great on the go!)

I like that the board has such a big and effective grip deck , that feels very soft on my feet and has a great grip so I will never slip. This did not happen during the trip once, but then again I did not fall in the water so I have honestly not experienced this with wet feet.

As said I like it on both the quiet river and on the sea (the North Sea is my only “wild” option, mostly I paddle on lakes) and it felt stable on both surfaces. I like that Bluefin did not forget to add a kick pad at the end of the board so it is easy to make turns, where this usually is a bit harder when you have a 6″ thick board. Especially on ones without a kick pad. Because of the three fins on the bottom (of which the big one is removable) it was easy to keep a straight line without much effort. So the board did everything I wanted and I felt really comfortable out on the water .

Want to learn more?  Check out   the best Inflatable paddle board for 2023!

Once I got out into deeper waters, I was able to pick up some speed and test the board’s performance. I was blown away by how fast, straight line and efficient it was, thanks to its streamlined design and carbon fiber shaft paddle . It was also incredibly comfortable to stand on for long periods, thanks to the soft and grippy EVA foam deck pad.

This is the best paddleboarding experience I have had so far, and it is hard to imagine that something better will come along soon, especially for a price in this range. None of it disappoints, and there is so much included that you really never need anything again to keep paddle boarding. ( Unless you break stuff, but I generally only do that only with computers ;)).

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced paddler, I highly recommend giving it a try!

Important features

• FRS carbon composite rail, 1000 Denier Exo Surface Laminate & Pro-Weave Drop Stitch
• The non-slip croco-diamond deck pad is comfortable underfoot, offering extra grip & traction
• 14 D-rings. Bungee cords on front and back, one for attaching your leash, 4 for the included kayak-seat
• 5 Comfortable grip handles for carrying, in the middle of the board, the front, back and both sides
• Raised-tail kickpad for stability during all your tricks
• Fixed Action Camera Mount on the front of the board

Fins The Bluefin Cruise Carbon board has 2 small fins and one big fin, of which the big fin is removable. The fins are high quality and very strong. The big fin is easily attachable and removable without tools due to the US Box Fin System.

Material The board is made out of FRS carbon composite rail, 1000 Denier Exo Surface Laminate & Pro-Weave Drop Stitch . 11200 stitches of 500 denier space yarn per square meter make for one rigid bad boy!

Inflate/deflate The Bluefin Cruise Carbon Paddle Board is inflated in only 5 mins with the supplied Triple Action Hand Pump. The board can be inflated up to 28 PSI, but the recommended pressure is 15-18 PSI.

Warranty Bluefin offers an amazing 5-year warranty on the board and a 1-year warranty on the accessories (manufacturing warranty for accessories)

Design The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 SUP features a grey-blue body instead of the standard light blue design the old Carbon had. It is sleek and modern, with a carbon fiber finish that is sure to turn heads on the water. It also includes a detachable cargo bungee system for carrying gear, reflective D-ring mounts for added safety and visibility, and a center handle and paddle stay for convenient storage.

In the package of the OLD Bluefin Cruise Carbon

The paddle that is included with the Bluefin Cruise Carbon is a Bluefin 3-Piece adjustable and convertible paddle , which is lightweight and very strong and durable because it is made out of carbon fiber. It can not only be used as a SUP paddle, but also as a kayak paddle. Which is perfect together with the supplied kayak seat .

The Old Bluefin Cruise Comes With a Kayak Seat 🙌🏻

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon includes a very easy and comfortable triple-action hand pump. There are three different settings that can be used to inflate the board. The third is most effective because it inflates the board when pulling it up and when pressing it down. The only reason this pump is not in my Best SUP Pumps guide is because it is not sold separately .

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon paddle board leash is a coiled leash , which is great because it only extends if you actually fall in the water . So it is never in your way when you are paddling. The leash can easily be connected to the D-ring on the back of the board.

The Bluefin paddle board backpack is very comfortable because of the extra back and strap padding on the extra wide straps. Its design was updated again this year and now it is more comfortable and can hold a lot more. It has some handy outside pockets, and the zippers are webbing-reinforced . This can easily hold your Bluefin Cruise Carbon paddle board and all accessories.

In the package of the NEW Bluefin Cruise Carbon

Wheeled backpack.

The NEW Cruise Carbon backpack is upgraded with wheels. That’s a major improvement! Even though the new Carbon board is now almost 10 pounds lighter , being able not to carry it on your back is a huge plus! It features padded straps and back support for comfortable carrying.

The new backpack has more space and feels more compact compared to the old one and feels more sturdy overall.

The New & Improved Paddle

This high-quality carbon fiber paddle is lightweight and durable, making it perfect for all paddlers. It’s easily adjustable to different lengths and comes in three parts : a fiberglass shaft with a PVC blade , and an extra rubber grip for added comfort.

The paddle can be extended from 175cm to 210cm and even converted into a kayak paddle with an additional blade (sold separately). The only downside is that some may find the blade a bit large.

Triple-Action Pump

The pump is a convenient triple-action pump, the Swift Maxi, where you can assemble the handles and base plate yourself. This is convenient for compact storage of the pump. The deflate function is very nice to use when deflating the board.

Removable Fin s

This board has three removable fins in use. It includes one center fin and two smaller side fins. The center fin uses a US box fin system, for which you need a screw. Using the smart-lock system you insert the side fins.

A repair kit is provided with a lever for the valve and two extra pieces of PVC material. Unfortunately, no glue is included. It does include reflective stickers though, so you ensure good visibility.

Safety Leash

This is a crucial safety accessory that attaches to the paddleboard and keeps you connected to it in case you fall off. The included leash is an ankle coiled leash so it won’t bother you when you put it to use.

Waterproof Phone Case

The phone case is waterproof which is very handy for supping. It is also large enough so that almost any phone will fit.

Optional accessories (not included)

Restube classic Because extra safety measures never hurt anyone!

Bluefin Electric SUP pump For those who don’t want the exercise before getting on the board.

Difference between an Inflatable board and a Hard board

Advantages inflatable board.

• Easy to take on holiday (even on the plane)
• Easy to store in the winter days
• Much cheaper
• Technology has improved greatly over the past 10 years. For this reason, these boards are now almost hard to distinguish from hard boards

Advantages Hardboard

• More speed, which is important if you are a professional
• Easier to make sharp turns on the water because the board is thinner
• No inflation needed, you can get on the water right away

Other reviews of the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ Paddle Board online

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon is a popular board, which means it has a lot of reviews online.

A short overview of some of these reviews below:

Rating 9.9/10. “Buying the Bluefin Cruise Carbon is a no brainer if you’re an average-sized beginner or an experienced user who wants an extremely durable and rigid board, a 5-year warranty, and some premium features.” Supboardguide.com

“The Bluefin Cruise Carbon is one of the best SUP boards. With the very good workmanship, the extremely robust construction, the high-quality accessories, which are significantly better than many low-cost SUP boards, and the extensive scope of delivery, the board convinced us.” Welovewatersports.com

“Although this paddleboard is cheaper than most iSUPs, users confirm that it is still of very high-quality. All the included accessories, and especially the bag, are well made. Paddleboarders are happy that they can kayak and SUP without having to buy two different products.” Standuppadleboardsreview.com

“If you’re in the market for an inflatable SUP, the Cruise Carbon 10’8” is a board that should be on your radar. This fun board offers unbelievable stiffness, rock-solid stability, loads of premium features, and a 5-year warranty — making it one of the most compelling iSUPs we’ve seen so far for 2021.” Inflatableboarder.com

Rating 4.6/5. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Our experience with customer service was very positive and we highly recommend this iSUP for those who like having the option to switch easily between paddle boarding and kayaking” – Based on 450+ (!) customer reviews as of 10th of May 2023. Amazon.com

Frequently Asked Questions about the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ Paddle Board

What is the size of the bluefin cruise carbon 10’8″ paddle board.

Length: 10’8″ Width: 32″, Thickness: 6″

What is the maximum carrying capacity of the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ Paddle Board?

287 lbs / 130 kg

What is included when purchasing the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ Paddle Board?

Bluefin backpack, Convertible and height adjustable carbon paddle, Bluefin coiled leash, Triple Action Hand Pump, Kayak seat

What is the weight of the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ Paddle Board?

The old version is 33 lbs / 15 kg while the new version is 24lbs / 10.9 kg

How many fins does the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ Paddle Board have?

It has 3 removable fins, 2 small fins and one big center fin

How many D-rings does the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ Paddle Board have?

14 D-rings. Bungee cords on front and back, one for attaching your leash, 4 for optional kayak-seat.

How long is the warranty on the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ Paddle Board?

The warranty on this board is 5 years

Does the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ Paddle Board have an action-camera mount?

How many handles does the bluefin cruise carbon 10’8″ paddle board have.

It has 5 handles, on the front, middle, back and both sides of the board

What pressure can the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ Paddle Board be inflated to?

It can be inflated up to 28 PSI, but the recommended pressure is 15-18 PSI

Update: What is the difference between the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 2023 and the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 2021?

Following the success of the regular Bluefin cruise line, Bluefin launched Cruise Carbon in 2019. The Bluefin Cruise Carbon is packed with advanced features. The Air – Duo double-action chamber inflation & FRS carbon side rails are by far the most rigid inflatable paddle board as of late. They also added a cool hip look for 2021 but now for 2023 that has been upgraded once again and it looks even better!

In the latter part of 2019, Bluefin released the all-new smart lock fin system as well as a much bolder blue and teal patterns also with enhanced durability. The improvements are not limited to the valve and deck, but you’ll also find removable side fins alongside a larger central fin. This instantly boosts versatility, allowing you to paddle easier in a variety of different conditions.

Conclusion – Should I buy this board?

This is the very best all-around inflatable Stand Up Paddle board you can purchase and is surely a must-buy! The package you get is incredible and next to the board that is made out of the strongest material you get all the best accessories and the incredible 5 year warranty to make sure you will not run into problems soon. The list of pros of this board is a very long one. The incredibly strong and stiff board , the convertible carbon paddle , kayak seat , triple action hand pump, backpack and coiled leash , 14 D-rings , the big grip deck with kick pad , action camera mount , 5 grip handles , 3 fins (of which the big one is removable), incredible customer service and 5 year warranty …. It has everything you could possibly ever need! No matter if you’ve been paddling before or if you have no experience, this board is the best choice for anyone who wants the best quality all-around Stand Up Paddle board . The advantages above are so extensive and the 5 year warranty shows that Bluefin really stands behind their product. This is also one of the very few top quality boards, if not the only one, that includes a convertible carbon paddle and a kayak seat in the package. So even if you prefer sitting down on your Stand Up Paddle board or even have to because of physical problems, the Bluefin Cruise Carbon will accommodate you perfectly. The price is not the cheapest SUP out there, but also not near some of the top boards it can easily compete with. For quality this high and a package that is not missing a single thing this is an incredible price . All the online reviews and the 5 year warranty ensure that this is not a board you will get rid of soon and it is worth the investment. The Bluefin Cruise Carbon is the best all-around inflatable Stand Up Paddle board you can buy, no matter the price range.

What are your thoughts on the Bluefin Cruise Carbon Paddle Board? Did you purchase it or ever considered purchasing it? If not, what would a reason be to get a different board?

Which boards do you think could compete with this board or do you consider as even better? Let me know in the comments, I’m wondering if there are any different opinions!

And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest updates and news on paddleboarding. We love seeing our readers out on the water, so tag us in your photos and share your adventures with the SUPworld community. Happy paddling, everyone!

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Hi! My name is Tom. During the year I try to be on a paddle board as much as possible. By reading this blog you'll stay updated on everything I test on the water :)

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9 responses to “Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ Review”

Thanks for the great review! I’m still doubting if the Carbon version is worth the $350 extra compared to the normal Bluefin Cruise, what are your thoughts about this?

Hi Chris, Thanks for your comment! To be honest, no I don’t think so. In the Best paddle board for 2020 ( https://standuppaddleboardworld.com/best-inflatable-paddle-board/ ) page you’ll find that I DO think the Carbon has more to offer.

Performance of the board is better, as well as the accessories. However, personally I think $350 is a lot of money and I therefore recommend people to go for the ‘normal’ Cruise.

Thanks for reviewing Bluefin sup board. Do you know where we can test it before we buy it in Netherlands?

Kind regards,

Hi Dian, I’m not sure. However, I know Bluefin has a flexible return policy. Also, I would be surprised if you don’t like the board haha!

Hi Tom in your review you show pictures of the backpack with wheels. Thats not the same backpack we can see on Bluefin web page. So, can you tell which one comes with the bluefin 10’8 cruise carbon board? Tks José

This is indeed strange, as you can see on the pictures, I received a backpack with wheels with this board. To be honest I think Bluefin just copied the picture from the normal Bluefin Cruise to the Bluefin Cruise Carbon, but the normal Bluefin Cruise backpack did not have wheels and the Bluefin Carbon Cruise one did. They don’t even mention this, but with the Carbon Cruise you should get a backpack with wheels!

Have a great weekend!

This board is indeed exquisite quality, but man this board is so heavy to carry to the water. Good that the bag has wheels, but on wet grass or sand this is a lot. Backpack is so heavy, smaller people better get the normal Bluefin Cruise!

Yes totally agree. The review here massively underlays how heavy this board is. I have the carbon cruise 12 and it’s horrible to carry it any distance. The wheeled backpack is rubbish and the wheels cannot support the weight and splay out making moving it even more problematic. Front pocket drags on the ground if you do roll it, and wears through in no time.

I have the cruise carbon 10’8 and what a board. Backpack has wheels on it so even though I have a disability I can still move my backpack around, also has carry handle and back straps. The board itself is amazing. 15psi and as sturdy as anything. Also the deck cover is cushioned so feels nice underfoot. Paddle has 4 parts so can easily be made into a kayak paddle and the kayak seat came with it too. Great carry strap for the board when it’s inflated, making it easy to carry. I’m so glad I chose this board

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Description

For those seeking a premium paddleboarding experience, look no further than the Cruise Carbon series. This advanced SUP boasts construction using drop-stitch technology for enhanced flex reduction and features carbon-reinforced rails to deliver exceptional glide, comfort, and stability. The incorporation of AIRDUO inflation chambers ensures unrivalled rigidity and heightened safety in this premium inflatable SUP. This 6" thick board is specifically designed for experienced riders seeking a refined leisure paddleboarding encounter. With three size options available (10'8, 12, and 15), you have the flexibility to paddle individually, with a partner, or alongside your four-legged companion. This board comes complete with an all-inclusive SUP package, including a premium triple-action pump, the ultimate SUP backpack, and a carbon fibre paddle, ensuring you are fully equipped for your aquatic adventure.

Specifications

• Board Dimensions 10'8 - 128" x 32" x 6" 12' - 144" x 32" x 6"
• Bag Dimensions 37" x 20" x 14"
• Inflated Board Weight 10'8 - 31.6lb 12 - 34.8lb
• Package Weight 10'8 - 51.6lb 12' - 54.9lb
• Max User Weight 10'8 - 331lb 12 - 386lb
• Board Composition Dual chamber FRS board with ESL fused PVC and the densest drop-stitch on the market with carbon strengthened side rails for reliablility. Now over 10% lighter than previous models.
• Fin Box US Box centre fin 2 x Smartlock side fins
• Paddle Height Minimum - 69" Maximum - 87"
• Paddle Composition Lightweight Carbon Fibre Shaft + Nylon Blade

What's In The Box

• Cruise Carbon Board
• Swift Maxi Triple Action Pump
• Carbon wheeled Backpack
• 3pc Carbon Fibre Paddle: Blade, Handle, Shaft
• 1 Large US Centre Fin, 2 Small Smartlock Side Fins
• Ankle Leash
• Waterproof Phone Case

5 YEAR WARRANTY

On all SUPs and kayaks

MULTI AWARD WINNING

Paddleboard packages

DESIGNED IN THE UK

By industry experts

PATENTED TECHNOLOGY

Provides premium features

Why Cruise Carbon?

ENHANCED SAFTEY

The Carbon series introduces a revolutionary dual-chamber inflation system, representing a significant leap forward in inflatable SUP (iSUP) construction. Anchored by a standalone central inflation loop nestled within the primary air chamber, the Carbon range stands as a pinnacle of durability, rigidity, and safety, setting it apart from conventional SUPs.

UNRIVALLED RIGIDITY

The Carbon paddleboard boasts a robust 3K carbon fibre rail, where carbon fibres are intricately woven in a diagonal twill pattern. This unique design brings together stiffness and flexibility in a single lightweight package, making your paddleboarding experience both strong and agile.

PREMIUM ALL-ROUND

Removable universal US box central fin and twin smart-lock side fins enable you to choose between a 1, 2 or 3-fin set-up when you paddle for a fully customisable ride. Explore different combinations for maximum stability and tracking. Paired with the Croco-diamond deck pad, you have the ultimate grip when paddling.

2 Cargo Areas

2 bungee cargo areas for extra storage on your adventures.

Kayak D-Rings

Multi-purpose reflective D-rings allow you to connect your kayak seat and offer added safety.

Neoprene Handles

These durable handles provide a secure grip and handy paddle stay while transporting the board and make it effortless to carry.

Croco-Diamond Deckpad

Ultimate grip on this non-slip deckpad, perfect for making quick sharp turns.

Action Camera Mount

Easily attach your action camera, ensuring you capture all the unforgettable moments on the water.

Included Accessories

STREAMLINED DUAL ACTION PUMP

Enhanced by detachable handle, feet and a smaller design our Swift Mini pump inflates your SUP with every up and down motion. This doubles the speed at which you can prepare for your aquatic adventures. Additionally, our pump features a built-in pressure gauge, ensuring you achieve the perfect inflation level for optimal performance.

TRAVEL-FRIENDLY BACKPACK

Our travel-friendly SUP backpack is the perfect companion for adventures on the go. Crafted with durability in mind, it's designed to withstand the rigours of your explorations. With ample storage space, it accommodates your inflatable paddleboard effortlessly, along with all your essentials.

CARBON FIBRE TRAVEL PADDLE

Our 5-piece advanced travel paddle combines ultra-light materials with an ergonomic design for adventurous spirits. Easy to assemble and fully adjustable between 179-190cm, the quick-release clamp makes setting up and packing down easy. Robust even at a weight of just 995g, the carbon fibre shaft and nylon blade offer durability to those who want to travel farther.

Versatile Fin Set-Up

Together, this dynamic trio of the versatile US centre fin and two Smartlock side fins not only maximizes tracking, stability, and paddling efficiency but also enhances overall performance on the water. Crafted with precision and durability in mind, these fins seamlessly integrate to provide an unparalleled paddling experience.

SUPER SECURE ANKLE LEASH

This leash offers unrivalled durability, ensuring it can withstand the most demanding water conditions. Its ergonomic design provides security without sacrificing mobility. With a robust coil and a secure attachment to your board, you can navigate the water with confidence.

RELIABLE WATERTIGHT PHONE CASE

Dive into worry-free aquatic adventures with our watertight phone case. Whether you're capturing stunning underwater shots, navigating open waters, or just enjoying a day at the beach, our watertight phone case ensures your device stays dry and fully functional.

PORTABLE SUP REPAIR KIT

This kit is your go-to solution for on-the-go board maintenance and peace of mind on the water. Crafted with precision, it includes everything you need to quickly address minor damages and get back to your adventure. Compact enough to stow away in you're backpack, it ensures you're always prepared for the unexpected.

Why Bluefin?

Tried and tested.

"the best equipment possible that will last for a reasonable price"

- Stand Up Paddle Board World

"high-quality stand-up paddle board for a very competitive price"

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"The construction, process and stiffness of these sups is incredible"

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Bluefin 10’8″ cruise & 12′ cruise carbon isups / comparison review video, compared by us on jun 3, 2020.

Bluefin Cruise 10’8″ ESL 10’8″x33″ (2019)

“The Bluefin 10'8" Cruise is a very stiff all round inflatable SUP that will suit many paddlers getting into the sport”

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12′ ESL FRS AIR DUO 12′”x32″ (2019)

“The Cruise Carbon is one stiff board! The 12' version is ideal for paddlers wanting to paddle that bit further. ”

SUPboarder deflection test at 18PSI:  12mm

SUPboarder deflection test at 18PSI:  8mm

Note: Products are rated/compared to other similar (style/construction) products on the market.

Explain our ratings

Compared by

Related products, more from this brand, brand partners.

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 Review

This article may contain affiliate links to which we are compensated if you buy. This comes at no extra cost to you.

In this Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 review we will be going through all the ins and outs of this board as we directly compare it against the regular Bluefin Cruise 10’8” . 

We do this to let you know what you can expect from the Cruise Carbon series while allowing you to decide if the upgraded carbon is worth the price for you and your budget.  

We go through all the pros, and cons, who I think the board is for as well as test the board in the water through some of our on-water tests. 

Click here to see other Bluefin Paddle Board Reviews .

What Did We Think of the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ SUP?

In our testing, we felt that the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ was one of the more rigid boards we’ve tested thanks to It’s “air duo” double bladder and carbon side rails . From a stability stand point we felt that the Cruise Carbon 10’8″ was a bit more stable compared to the original Cruise 10’8″. However we did not think that it warranted the price difference between the two.

The Cruise Carbon 10’8″ is a truly impressive board that is well made and manufacturerd however we fell this technology is better suited towards their more perfomance oriented boards like the Cruise Carbon 12′ or other perfomance oriented boards. We felt that a lot of these features were a bit overboards for an all around SUP.

We also felt that Accessories package to be a bit of an upgrade to the original Cruise package. But nothing that truly stood out other than the FCS center fin.

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” Review Ratings

Below is how we rated the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ SUP. You can compare this score with how we rated the original Bluefin Cruise 10’8 Paddle Board below.

Total Score 8.4 (Averages of Below Scores)

• Stability: 8.5
• Tracking: 8.5
• Maneuverability: 8 
• SUP Construction – 9.5
• Deck Pad: 9
• Deck Bungees: 8
• Action Mounts: 8
• Handles: 9.5
• Backpack: 8
• Set-Up/ Take Down – 7.5
• Extra bladder helps with rigidity
• It has an extra row of bungee deck webbing in the back
• Features US Fin Box that allows you to customize the fin setup
• Features Kayak conversion kit
• The 2023 version is almost 9 lbs lighter 
• I love the sleek black design of this board
• Features 5 Action Camera Mounts
• The bag is of good quality
• Features a 5-year warranty against manufacturing defects
• Plant a tree with each sale
• Feels more stable than the original 10’8 Cruise
• There should be measurements on the paddle
•  An electric pump included in the package would be a nice addition

Who Should Be Using the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” SUP? 

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon will be for many levels of paddlers who want to spend a bit more to get a high-quality stiff board that is equal parts rigid and stable. 

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon will be good for about 90% of the paddlers out there . It offers enough primary stability for most ages and experience levels while remaining stiff throughout. We will detail how exactly they do this below…

What SUP Activity Can the Cruise Carbon 10’8” Be Used For? 

The Cruise Carbon board is more adept at giving you better stability in the water due to its stiffness compared to the regular Cruise 10 ‘8 ” SUP . This opens the SUP’s doors up for bigger paddlers who want to paddle a more maneuverable board. All the while keeping stability in most cases.

Recreational Paddling

T he Cruise Carbon can also be used in a wide variety of environments such as lakes, slow-moving rivers as well as coastal conditions, and beaches with smaller waves . 

The Cruise Carbon can be a board that you take out from an hour all the way to a day paddle with overnight touring being a possibility if you use the extra D rings this board has in the middle of the deck. 

Paddle Board Kayak Hybrid

One of the marketing features that Bluefin has had for years is the fact that they actually include a kayak conversion kit in their packages. This is no different from the 2023 Cruise series which includes it in the Royal Blue package. 

This is a great feature for those who are going on longer paddling expeditions. After a while those legs will start getting tired. So why not have a seat and continue the paddle on the way back? 

I also find paddling in a kayak formation is a lot more efficient and actually better when paddling against the wind as you have more paddling velocity and sit lower which gives the wind less force to push against. 

Paddling with a Small Passenger

The Bluefin Cruise has enough capacity and rigidity to put a small passenger such as a smaller child or beloved pet onboard. The Bluefin Cruise Carbon also offers child handles on the front and rear of the board which allows your child to hang on in case things get a bit wavey.  

I do wish that the Cruise Carbon line came with deck padding that went a bit further toward the nose of the board to give additional passengers some extra traction. 

On-Water Performance

Below are some of the On-Water tests we did with the Cruise Carbon . We compared it to the original Bluefin Cruise 10’8 SUP as a comparison to see how much extra performance is really in the Cruise Carbon 10’8’ SUP. 

Stability 

Stability Score: 8.5/10

This is the area that I found was the biggest difference between the Cruise and Cruise Carbon series. The Carbon is more rigid thanks to its 2 bladders and carbon side rails . As a result this also makes the board feel more stable in the water, despite having the same dimensions as the original Cruise.

When I mention the stability of the Cruise I mean there was less side-to-side rocking. Another factor is that the Cruise Carbon is heavier compared to the original Cruise board. On the whole, heavier boards tend to give you better stability compared to lighter-weight ones.

Tracking Score: 8.5/10

In my tests between the tracking ability of the 10’8” Cruise and Cruise Carbon SUPs, I found the tracking to be almost identical . The board tracked about 5 strokes a side before you had to switch sides. This was done with the original Bluefin fin setups which consisted of the two side fins and the center dolphin fins. 

This makes sense as both boards are the same shape and dimensions. Usually boards in the 10’8 or 10’6 range track at about 5 to 6 strokes per side. If tracking was important to you I’d recommend getting the Cruise Carbon 12’ as the longer more narrower shape will help the board track better.

Speed 

Speed Score: 8/10

From just the feeling on the water the Cruise Carbon felt like it had slower acceleration but a faster top-end paddling speed. The increased acceleration in the Cruise is down to the board being lighter. Even though the weights between the Cruise and Cruise Carbon are listed as the same you can tell that the original Cruise is the lighter board. 

As soon as you got into a rhythm of paddling the Cruise Carbon started to get the upper hand. The extra rigidity and the momentum of the extra few pounds of weight helped the board glide in the water better compared to the Cruise counterpart. 

As with tracking, if you wanted a more specialty board with a better top speed then it’s recommended you upgrade to the Cruise Carbon 12. The Carbon 12 is more adept at handling longer distances. 

Maneuverability 

Maneuverability Score: 8/10

The maneuverability of the Cruise Carbon was strikingly similar to the Cruise. The Cruise has a slight edge in terms of being more maneuverable by a stroke to half a stroke when I did the reverse side paddles and reverse sweep strokes. The reason is, that the Cruise Carbon is a few pounds heavier which will affect the paddler’s output in terms of turning the board around. 

We also conducted some pivot turn tests that compared the Cruise and Cruise Carbon. Because of the Cruise carbons’ extra bit of stability, it was a bit easier to stand on the tail of the Carbons tail allowing you to find that edge a bit easier before falling off . 

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” Stats Deconstructed

• Type of Board: Recreational
• Length : 10’8″
• Width: 32″
• Thickness: 6″
• Weight: 24 Lbs
• Maximum Capacity: 330 Lbs

One of the main differences between the Cruise vs the Cruise Carbon is the fact that the Cruise Carbon has put more emphasis on the construction of the board.

Like the Cruise, the Cruise Carbon line is made of a Monocoque Structural Laminate Technology which consists of two layers of PVC heat pressed together to form a stronger seal and further protection against those darn harder items such as sharp rocks and logs. 

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon also has carbon stiffening side rails. There has been some debate in the SUP community as to how effective these rails truly are. But in my experience, there is a positive correlation between stiffness/ on-water performance with the side rails vs. without.  

On top of this, the Bluefin Cruise Carbon also features another bladder that gives you an extra layer of safety in the extremely unlikely case that the board fails . Mind you, adding another bladder does give the board an extra failure point within the board but I would not worry too much about this as this SUP has been around for a few years and the company has had time to perfect its process of adding the extra bladder into the SUP. 

“ In my experience, the extra bladder does a good job of being non-intrusive on the deck pad as well as adding more rigidity to the board allowing it to feel more stable standing up. ” – Editors Notes

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” Board Profile

The new Bluefin Cruise Carbon series offers three sizes. The 10’8”, 12’ and 15’ boards. 

• The 15’ is for tandem paddlers who want more than one adult on the board.  
• The 12’ is for paddlers who want to cover more distance with a slightly faster clip
• The 10’8” is the recreational kind that will be suitable for most paddlers

Now let’s get back to the 10’8” Cruise Carbon board. This SUP’s profile has a slightly more pointed nose compared to other all-around boards . I find this shape is great for displacing waves that come your way from boats. Rather than floating over them the nose actually cuts into them, giving you a bit extra stability going through the process.

The tail, like the Cruise, is squared off to give the board a bit more stability for those new paddlers entering the water.

“ Overall there is little difference between the Cruise and Cruise Carbons’ actual board profiles as they are shaped very similarly. This also leads to only slight differences in both board’s on-water performance which we will get into below. ”  – Editors Notes

What’s On Deck

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon has a few more additions on deck compared to the original Cruise boards. Most importantly though, you do get your kayak hybrid kit that comes with the board. 

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” Deck Pad

Deck Pad Score: 9/10

The Cruise Carbon 10’8” has one of the best deck pads in my humble opinion . It offers a good level of grip, even when the deck pad gets wet. And trust me, it will. The deckpad is made of thermostatic crocodile deck padding in diamond-shaped cuts. And don’t worry, no crocodiles were harmed in the making of this deckpad! It’s just the name and texture that is inspired by those cuddly crocs. 

The Cruise Carbon offers a good amount of room for the deckpad. Although I would have liked to see it go a bit farther forward to make it a more ideal SUP for furry friends to climb aboard and not have to worry about slipping on PVC.

While you can do activities such as yoga on this board it would not be the go-to for this activity. For pure yoga enthusiasts, we would recommend the Bluefin Aura. But for the odd warriors pose this SUP can definitely work. 

The Cruise Carbon, much like its Cruise brother also has a kick pad in the rear that allows you to perform pivot turns more efficiently.

“ One of the things we did notice, was the fact that the Cruise Carbon was able to perform pivot turns a bit easier compared to the Cruise 10’8. We think this is due to the rigidity of the boards thanks to the second bladder and the carbon side rails. ” – Editors Notes

Bluefin Cruise Carbon D Rings

D-Rings Score: 8/10

The Cruise Carbon has 5 extra D rings that are not attached to anything . The 4 free D rings on the Cruise Carbon are closer in and actually part of the deckpad. When attaching the kayak seat I found out that the straps attached to the back need to be clipped to the front while the seat part needs to be attached to the rear D rings. 

The rear also has a D ring for your leash. It’s a bit more inconspicuous compared to other tail D rings but it’s relatively straightforward forward attach the leash to it. 

Bluefin Cruise Carbon Deck Bungees

Deck Bungees Score: 8/10

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon offers 2 rows of deck webbing in the front and rear. This is great for smaller odds and ends of gear. Things such as water bottles, small soft coolers, and dry bags/ small backpacks come to mind. 

In comparison, the original Cruise 10’8” does not have any deck webbing on the back. So for those who want to bring a bit more aboard for a day trip. the Cruise Carbon would be a strong consideration.

Some things I usually like to stash under the bungees include:

• Water bottle (or 2)
• Small cooler
• Waterproof speaker
• Dry bag (with keys, towel etc)

Things may get a bit more challenging when you want to load bigger items onto this SUP though. But if you are creative I’m sure you can think of something, especially if you use the center “Kayak conversion” D rings

Bluefin Cruise Carbon Action Mounts

Action Mounts Score: 8/10

One of the improvements that the Cruise Carbon has over the Cruise is that the carbon version has 5 action mounts instead of the 3. 

The action mounts are well placed in my mind with one at the front of the nose, 2 on the last row of the front bungee deck webbing, and 2 on the last row of the rear bungee deck webbing. 

These give you good cam vantage points that allow you and the environment to both be included in the shot. 

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 Handles

Handles Score: 9.5/10

One of the additional accessories that the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” has on board is more handles compared to the regular Cruise. The Cruise Carbon offers 9 handles compared to the 5 provided by the Bluefin Cruise board.

The main 3 handle placements that you would see on most SUPs (front, middle, rear) are covered with neoprene padding to make carrying the SUP easy on your hands. 

The 2 neoprene handles on the sides of the bungee deck webbing are meant to be child’s/ passenger handles so that they can hold on while paddling. Ideal for those bumpy waves caused by those darn boaters!

Finally, the Cruise Carbon has two extra side handles that will give people of different height ranges an easier time to grip and carry the board down to the shore.  

Bluefin Cruise Carbon Accessories Explained

The differences in accessories between the Bluefin Cruise Carbon and the Cruise lineup is relatively small but there are some subtle differences mentioned below. 

The Cruise Carbon package comes with the bag, a dual chamber triple action pump, a carbon hybrid paddle, and 3 fins (the center of which is US fin box spec). The Cruise Carbon series also features a kayak conversion kit that comes with the package. 

Bluefin Cruise Carbon Backpack

Backpack Score: 8/10

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon package offers a similar backpack but with a few modifications. The Cruise Carbon bag features a side handle as well as two wheels on the bottom which is a personal preference of mine. 

The wheels help you save your back which allows you to drag the bag like travel luggage. It can be dragged through gravel, grass, and pavement sections. 

The Cruise Carbon bag offers a rather large front pocket in which you can put items such as ankle leashes, dry bags, etc. 

The bag also has side pockets on the bottom for smaller things such as small water bottles or little odds and ends like GoPro holders and of course the fins. 

In terms of back padding, it has a good amount of cushion that helps keep parts of the board/ package digging into your back. The bag also has a waist strap which helps keep the board more comfortably strapped to you so that the bag does not move around as much. 

“ I personally like a lot of the features of the bag but I did feel it was a bit awkward to lug around compared to other paddle board bags. The SUP always has a tendency to lean towards the front pockets. Thankfully there is a strap inside the bag that allows you to clip the board to the back of the bag to give it more support. I also found that this board can be more difficult to pack away compared to other paddle boards with similar rigidity ratings. More on that below..” – Editors Notes

Bluefin Cruise Carbon Paddle 

Paddle Score: 8/10

The Carbon package has a fiberglass shaft with a nylon blade. The paddle is about average weight at about 2.15 lbs . I personally feel that they could have upgraded the paddle to be a lightweight carbon paddle that could be a few tenths lighter. 

The blade is tear-drop shaped which allows you to transfer more power per stroke. But on the flip side, it also adds more strain during longer distances as compared to a thinner rectangular blade. 

The paddle’s length goes from 68” to 82” in length which is good for most paddlers. The shaft has a grippy feel to it which definitely helps things when you have sunscreen on your wet hands!

I also liked the rubber handle part that you hand grips. I feel this is one of the more natural-feeling paddles to hold. The extra rubberized grip of the handle helps hold the paddle. 

“ One of the things I wish Bluefin would do is have measurement markers on the adjustable handle portion of the paddle. I find that these help aid your memory in how to set the paddle instead of always having to adjust to your height.  Another thing to note is that the clamps on the paddle need adjustment with a screwdriver before going out. I have had this happen with both the Cruise and Cruise Carbon models. I also think that the kayak conversion paddle stretches this out compared to the handle which makes you have to make secondary adjustments when the handle is being put back into place. “ – Editors Notes

Bluefin Cruise Carbon Pump

Pump Score: 8/10

The pump that comes with the Bluefin Cruise Carbon is an upgrade to the original Cruise series. This pump has a 3-stage setting which helps pump more air into your board.  

You start off at stage #1 to pump air from both cylinders on the up-and-down stroke. As soon as it gets harder to pump (usually around 5-7 PSI) you switch it to the 2nd stage which entails both chambers pumping on the down stroke. As soon as this gets difficult you can switch the pump to the down stroke on setting 3 to fill the rest of the board. 

If you want a 3-stage manual pump before going out then this is a pretty solid pump to be included. But for those who want more efficiency, I’d recommend getting an electric pump. Especially if you hate manual pumping up a board. 

Bluefin offers the E-Swift eclectic pump and their regular electric pump . The E swift pump has been designed in-house and is the premium version which allows you to not just pump up paddle boards but also floaties, air mattresses, yoga balls, inflatable toys, etc. 

Bluefin Cruise Carbon Fins

Pump Score: 8.5/10

The Cruise Carbon comes with a 3 fin setup which includes a dolphin fin and two 5” side fins. One of the main differences here between the Cruise and Cruise Carbon is the fact that the Cruise Carbon features a US Fin box for the center fin . This feature opens up a variety of center fins you can use. You can choose from both paddle board and surfboard fins that have that same “US Fin Box” designation. 

“ I have done some on-water tests with the original Cruise on fin set-ups and I have to say having the 2 side fins on does make a noticeable difference. I recorded 7 strokes per side before having to change over vs 5 with just the center fin. Side fins definitely help the Carbon track better all the while adding a bit more stability as you paddle .“ – Editors Notes

Bluefin Cruise Carbon Kayak Conversion Set-up

Often times after paddling for a long time your legs start getting a bit tired and your feet start to feel numb. Sure you can sit on the board but it can be a bit strenuous without a back rest. 

This is where Bluefin’s kayak conversion kit comes into play. The Cruise carbon package comes with a kayak attachment paddle where the original handle goes and a kayak seat. Many premium SUP packages sell these separately but thankfully Bluefin has included them in this package.  

Having tried the kayak conversion kit I would say that it would help if Bluefin had a footrest similar to the design that Isle has for their Switch model. The footrest allows you to get more power from out of your core to do more energy-efficient strokes. 

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 Set-Up

Setting up the Cruise carbon is pretty straightforward. There’s a bunch of packaging you have to get rid of first. Once everything is removed you want to pump the middle inflation chamber FIRST. This helps keep the integrity of the board as if you pump the outer chamber first it surrounds the inner chamber and can stretch the materials. 

After that, clip on the side fins, screw in the center fin, and away you go!

After taking the time to fold the Cruise Carbon and the Cruise one by one, I can say that the original Cruise is easier to fold.  

“ This is where the Cruise Carbons stiffness and extra 2 bladders can be a hindrance. I found the PVC of the Cruise carbon a bit more difficult to keep in place as I was doing the folds. I also originally wanted the board to start folding from the fins but this did not work due to the placement of the valves and the fact that there are action mounts in the way. So it’s best to start folding this board from the nose.  I found it was also a bit tougher to find the ideal folds as you have to time your folds with where the accessories are which can be a bit challenging to figure out. I highly recommend getting a white marker and making marks where the folds are on the board so you can replicate the manufacturers’ folding process. ”  – Editors Notes

 The bag of the Cruise carbon is nice and made of good materials but I found it to be kind of awkward to carry. Unlike with other SUP bags, this one has a tendency to have the folded board flop to the front pocket which makes it awkward to carry. Thankfully Bluefin does have clip-on straps inside to help secure the board to your back. 

About Bluefin Paddle Boards

Bluefin continues to be one of the SUP giants in Europe and has distribution all over Europe, North America, and Australia.  They were founded at the beginning of the 2010’s while the first paddle board they made (the Cruise 10’8”) was released to the public in 2018.

Bluefin has had lots of praise for the design and manufacturing of its boards. They have a very similar level of rigidity compared to more expensive brands but can still be had at a good price point and warranty coverage.  

Bluefin Warranty and Returns Policy

Bluefin offers a warranty and return period that is one of the better ones in the industry. Bluefin offers a 5-year limited warranty and a 60-day return policy. 

You should read between the lines on this though as Bluefin has a tiered return policy. 

• Up to 60 days : A new replacement board may be offered
• 60 Days to 6 Months: A new replacement may be offered
• 6 Months Onwards: A like-for-like refurbished replacement board may be offered. 

The warranty does not cover regular wear and tear, or damage caused by neglect or misuse of the product. You can go to the Bluefin warranty page to see the full details of this. 

It’s important to look through all of these terms before buying so that no surprises come to you. 

What Customers Think of the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” SUP

With the Cruise Carbon, I made the most of my use at my friend’s cabin by letting people try the board out. Some comparables at the cabin were the Cruise and the Jimmy Styks Beaver hard board (10 years old) . 

“ Some comments I collected was that overfall the Cruise Carbon was more stable of a vessel although as I mentioned above the tracking/ speed and maneuverability differences between the Cruise Carbon and the Cruise were not too noticeable. Specifically for some of the novice paddlers in the group. Some other notes of interest were that while the Jimmy Styks Beaver board did glide better, the board’s tracking was not as good as the Bluefin boards. The Beaver board also is harder on your feet after a period of time standing compared to the Cruise and Cruise carbon boards provided. ” – Editors Notes

A few of the friends at the cabin also commented that the Cruise Carbon had a particularly grippy deck pad which they liked the overall feel of. Especially compared to the hardboard. 

One of the other interesting tests we did was to try to put 3 adults on the Cruise Carbon and paddle over to the rope swing. Suffice it to say that 3 grown adults and 630 lbs were too much for the board to handle. But it could passenger two full adults (375 lbs) relatively easily.  

Overall customers had a lot of positive things to say about the Cruise Carbon 10’8” Sup. 

“I was pleasantly surprised by just how well-made this board is. Even the supplied paddle is robust. Probably not a board for use at professional levels in rough sea conditions but perfectly fine for lake use. ”  – Desima (Verified Bluefin Customer)

For now this was most of what I could find. Since the Bluefin Cruise Carbon premium series is relatively new there are not a lot of customer reviews on it yet, but we will be updating this. 

Where to Buy the Bluefin Cruise 10’8” Carbon Premium Board

You can purchase the Bluefin Cruise Premium board from The Bluefin website . If you click the link it will take you to the country closest to you. 

Bluefin has distribution in:

• United Kingdom
• United States
• Netherlands
• Canada (New)

You can also find the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 on Amazon as well. 

Comparable Paddle Boards

Below are boards from other brands that are comparable.

Nixy Monterey 11’6” Paddle Board

While the sizing may be different the Nixy Monterey has dual chambers similar to the Bluefin Cruise Carbon. The Monterey has more action mounts and Scotty Mounts and has more bungee deck webbing which would make the Monterey a better choice for longer excursions. 

See Our Full Review of the Nixy Monterey G4 Here.

iRocker All Around 11 Ultra Paddle Board

iRocker is a direct competitor to Bluefin SUPs in that it has the same global reach in terms of distribution. The iRocker 11’ is a few inches longer and has more mounting points and bungee deck storage . It does not have the same level of rigidity though as it is a single chamber board. 

See Our Full Review of the iRocker All Around 11 Ultra Here.

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Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ SUP Board Review – 2023

Bluefin cruise carbon 10'8", versatility, construction, performance.

• An awesome dual chamber design called the Air Duo System
• Very effective Flex Reduction system
• Extremely light carbon fiber paddle included
• 2 Cargo areas
• Amazing Deck Pad + Kick Tail
• Free kayak kit included with purchase
• Doesn’t come with a repair kit
• To improve tracking we’d like to see a removable sidefin option

We have been really looking forward to reviewing The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″. The Cruise is an excellent performance all-arounder that sports some great features. With it, you get an extremely durable rigid board with carbon side rails, a dual-chamber board setup, as well as a drop-stitch hull that can be inflated up to 28 PSI. Not only do you get all those impressive bells and whistles, but you get a 5-year warranty and support from a company that stands behind their boards.

SUP Board Specs

We were impressed by the Cruise Carbon’s stability. You can feel the difference Bluefin’s Flex Reduction Systems makes when compared to its little brother, the Cruise. Justin and I both hopped and jumped on the board, and we were impressed by the lack of flex. Another of the Cruise Carbon’s features that make to board uber stable is the Air Duo Inflation. More on that later.

From back fin turns and walking the length of the board, to just paddling around, we found the Bluefin Carbon to be a very stable board. The Carbon’s high weight capacity and dual inflatable chambers simply make for a very sturdy, stable stand up paddleboard. In fact, it is one of the firmest inflatable SUPs we’ve ever tested.

Maneuverability

The Cruise Carbon 10’8″ had no issue maneuvering. It was more sporty than we thought it was going to be. We also found it to be very responsive to both the back paddle and step-back turns. Honestly, it feels like you can turn on a dime with a step-back. The pointed nose on this all-arounder helps to blast through the chop and surf. Having a board that tracks well and is also maneuverable is a fine line for any iSUP company to walk. But it seems that Blufin found a suitable happy medium.

Tracking/Glide

We were impressed by the glide. This board is so stiff, and with that pointed nose, we were able to glide with less effort. The whole experience just felt smooth, and the board just cruised over the water (the board is aptly named). Both beginners and advanced users alike will find the Bluefin Cruise to be a tracking and gliding machine.

In terms of tracking, the Cruise did well. We were able to keep on point and make it to the end of the lake without issue. What we would like to see would be some bigger removable side fins. This would give the users the option to add on bigger fins for better tracking or to remove them for more maneuverability.

The Carbon has some really heavy-duty construction. It is made from a dual-layer military-grade PVC construction with two extra layers of heat-welded carbon fiber railing on the side. This is partly why the board is so rigid. The entire board is coated in an anti UV coating that prevents degradation of the board. It also comes standard with a drop-stitch dual-chamber hull design, which allows this board to be inflated to higher PSI than some of the other similarly priced boards.

(side note: It still isn’t a good idea to leave any SUP board out in the sun for extended periods. Always store your boards after use to preserve its durability and longevity).

The Carbon is also backed by a 5-year warranty. It speaks to the board’s craftsmanship and Bluefin’s confidence that it’ll be free from manufacturer defects for that long. One thing to note is that the board is most definitely covered for defects for 5 years, but you will have to pay for the initial return shipping after 6 months from the time of purchase. Bluefin will pay to ship it back to you. Even though you do have to pay half of the shipping, you’re still getting an extended warranty that is longer than anyone else we know of in the industry.

Board Design/Shape

The Cruise Carbon 10’8″ is designed to be an all-around performance board with some very sporty aspects. It has an all-around shape, with a pointed nose for cutting through the surf and a flat tail that improves stability. It has a rocker capable of making even choppy waters still very maneuverable. And with the carbon fiber side rails, the Air Duo system, and high-pressure hull makes this board extremely rigid, which gives you better overall performance. It was designed to be a performance board aimed at beginners and

This board is designed to be extremely rigid and to handle all kinds of usage conditions. You can take it on small waves and do some light surfing. You can also take it out on the lake for a day of fun in the sun. It can also be taken on rivers with some very light rapids (class I). Overall it can go almost anywhere you go. The included backpack is even designed to be checkable at airports.

Board Features

Not only is the deckpad snazzy looking, but it’s functional too. The charcoal gray complements the various shades of blue on the board surface. The Croco-Diamond deckpad is really well designed. As its name implies, it has a crocodile textured diamond design that gives the user an excellent non-slip experience. This really helps both beginner and advanced users alike whether you’re trying to carve a turn or hang on for dear life. It’ll work. With the added lift of the kicktail, you’ll get an even better experience on step-back turns.

Croco-Diamond Deckpad + Kick Tail

A great feature of this board is the Croco-Diamond Deckpad with a kicktail. Even at first glance, this deckpad looks cool, and it provides some excellent traction. The kicktail is also a great feature to include an all-around board and is a nice edition that makes back fin turns easier and more comfortable.

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon has five comfort grip handles. One on both the nose and tail, two on the sides, and one in the middle of the deckpad. All of them are conveniently placed to allow a person to carry the iSUP by themselves or to have a friend help.

The Air Duo system is a pretty great feature and one that had a remarkable effect on the overall board stability. What does the “Air Duo” system mean then? It means that there are two chambers to fill. The main chamber covers the majority of the board’s surface. And underneath the deckpad is the central chamber. Inflating the main chamber and central chamber gives you a crazy rigid board. That paired with the flex reduction system, you get an insanely rigid one. On top of all that, if the outer chamber should ever be compromised, then the inner bladder could be used as an additional flotation device.

Flex Reduction System

Bluefin’s Flex Reduction System (FRS) contains a carbon fiber rail layer that is heat-welded between two layers of PVC on the side of the board. This makes the board extraordinarily rigid and helps keep its shape, even in choppy water conditions. It also facilitates the rider to move around on the board without any bowing or flexing that could destabilize them. Overall the system works quite well. We noticed almost no bending even when bouncing on the board.

Included Kayak Conversion Kit

This iSUP has a lot of D-rings. 14, to be exact. This gives you plenty of opportunities to mount things. It also allows for the use of a clip-on shoulder strap, and with that many D-rings, your most certainly going to find a comfortable position.

The Cruise Carbon also has two cargo areas with bungies where you can store your gear without the need of attaching anything. This is a great place to put shoes, duffle bags, or even a water bottle.

Accessories

The paddle that comes with the Bluefin Cruise Carbon is a carbon fiber paddle, and it is incredibly light. We compared it to several different brands that we already have here around the office, and it is notably lighter than the rest. If you don’t think paddle weight matters much, you will after you go several miles with a heavy paddle… The carbon fiber paddle also has good construction. It doesn’t rattle or feel like it’s going to fall apart.

Dual-Chamber Triple-Action Pump

The Cruise Carbon comes with a dual-chamber triple action pump. This will help you get your iSUP inflated faster than with the single chamber dual-action pumps. The pump also has a built-in pressure gauge so you can accurately inflate the Carbon with relative ease.

Bluefin Carbon’s included backpack is heavy-duty. It follows suit with most of the backpacks from similar brands. A few things to note that make this bag great. One is that it has wheels and those wheels are on the opposite side of the shoulder and waist straps. This is helpful because it avoids getting the straps caught in the wheels, which can trip you up pretty good.

Another thing to note is the lumbar pad on the bag is big enough to fit your whole back. Making this bag extra comfortable for those longer treks to the beach. Another great aspect of this backpack is the pockets found inside the main pocket. They are absolutely perfect for putting the central fin and other odds and ends.

The leash that comes with the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ is pretty standard. It is a 10 ft coiled leash with velcro fastenings. One aspect that we really like about it is the nylon loop that is attached to the velcro end of the leash cuff. This really makes it easy to take off the leash even while it’s underwater.

Phone Dry Bag

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon also comes with a handy dandy dry bag lanyard that you can put your phone in. This makes it possible for you to bring your phone with you on the board without the fear of drowning it.

Conclusion/Bottom line

Buying the Bluefin Cruise Carbon is a no brainer if you’re an average-sized beginner or an experienced user who wants an extremely durable and rigid board, a 5-year warranty, and some premium features. If you are over 6′ or over 250 pounds, you may find the 10’8″ a bit wobbly and hard to use. But, you’re in luck. They also have a 12′ carbon that’ll fit you with the same and includes all the aforementioned features.

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SupBoardGuide Editorial Team

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8 thoughts on “Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ SUP Board Review – 2023”

Hi! Thanks so much for your reviews, I think they are some of the best out there. Wondered if you could advise though? I think my choices are Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″, iRocker All Around 11′ or Blackfin X/XL and I just don’t know which way to go. I’m definitely on the heavier side (98kg), but not tall 5’7″, I’d like to take a 30kg dog with me and gear at times. Beginner to intermediate level and I’ll be mostly on lakes, rivers and canals. Any thoughts would be brilliant as I feel totally stuck!

Given you want to take your dog with you, then I would recommend either the Bluefin Cruise Carbon or Blackfin X/XL. The extra weight capacity and rigidity of those boards will help a bit with multiple passengers. Unfortunately, right now you also have to decide if you can wait for the board, as many of these top-selling boards are selling out pretty quickly.

If you can’t get a BLACKFIN X/XL or Cruise Carbon you could also try a Thurso Waterwalker 132 . It’s a fantastic board, is super durable, has carbon fiber rails, and will for sure be stable for you and your dog.

I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!

Hi I’m 5’6 weigh 63 k I have back issues is this sturdy enough for someone like me and not too heavy. Thanks

At your height and weight, the Cruise Carbon will for sure be sturdy enough for you. It is on the heavier side when it comes to SUPs, so if that is a concern then you might want to look for a lighter board. The Cruise is a little bit lighter, or you could also look at the iRocker All-Around .

I was wondering why the Blackfin Modelx got your top pick over the bluefin cruise carbon 10′ 8″? The blufin got an overall score of 9.9 and the model x got a score of 9.8. Why one would perform better in in tidal areas off the beach or along the coastline? I’m 5’10” and 165lb.

The Blackfin Model X scored higher for us because the Bluefin Cruise Carbon is honestly pretty heavy in comparison. Both boards perform really well on the water, but the Blackfin XL is a little more stable, and lighter. That being said, the Cruiser Carbon comes with a ton of accessories, which we’re really impressed with given the overall price.

Hello! I was curious since we are in 2022 now if the rating would be about the same. This board is one of my top picks. I only with it came in a 4.75/5 inch option!

Hi Patricia,

Unfortunately, we will be making some changes to the Cruise Carbon’s rating this week, as our board ripped yesterday along the interior air chamber’s seam. If your heart is set on Bluefin, I’d recommend opting for their Cruise series instead, to avoid the dual chamber.

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Bluefin Cruise Carbon 15’ Paddleboard Review

Make paddleboarding a group activity with this large touring inflatable

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 15’ Paddleboard

Justin Park / TripSavvy

Large capacity

Five-year warranty

Slow to maneuver

Hard to transport

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 15’ Paddleboard is a large, high-end inflatable stand-up paddleboard that delivers bigtime space and rigidity.

• Performance
• Competition
• Final Verdict

Bluefin is a family-owned United Kingdom-based company that specializes in paddleboards. To see if this higher-end inflatable delivered performance equal to the price, I tested the Bluefin Cruise Carbon with friends on lakes high in the Rocky Mountains. We assessed its performance over several weeks, evaluating factors such as durability, glide, stability, and maneuverability as well as the overall package and value.

Setup: Three-setting pump, two chambers

The large size of our 15-foot Bluefin Cruise Carbon paddleboard meant we were faced with putting a high volume of air into the board to reach the 12-15 PSI recommended for proper floatation. Two distinct chambers for inflating make this board unique. Two distinct chambers—one in the center of the board and the other around the outside like a long donut—make this a unique board. The company claims this adds to rigidity. If nothing else, you get a safety backup chamber in case one punctures.

The board takes a few minutes to fully pump, but thankfully it comes with one of the nicest included floor pumps I’ve ever used. The "Triple Action" pump has three modes: two modes that pump as you pull the handle up and as you push it down plus a mode (best for those last few PSI) where air only goes out when pushing the handle down. The manual doesn’t explain, but I assume the difference between the bi-directional modes is that one uses one chamber while the other uses both.

The actual pumping was fairly straightforward once we experimented with the different modes. We did find it challenging to keep the pump hose engaged and found ourselves wishing it locked in place somehow.

At a 15-foot length, we didn’t expect a particularly nimble board and it can definitely feel sluggish, especially if you’re paddling solo.

Still, it probably only took us ten minutes to fully inflate the board on our first try, which isn’t bad for one of this volume. It only needs to inflate to the 12-15 PSI range but is capable of going up to 28 PSI if you want to push it for extra rigidity. We found 12-15 PSI to be plenty for most situations, but I might push that closer to 20 if I was planning to have two larger people on it.

One thing to note about the Bluefin Carbon Cruise is at 15 feet, you’re most likely going to be inflating and deflating it with each use. It’s simply too large to haul inflated on most cars and trucks unless you have a roof rack system or are okay with most of the board hanging out the back of a truck bed. While the inflation wasn’t painful or too time-consuming, the deflation actually took a bit of time because of some finagling to get all the air out and roll it back up tight enough to fit inside the carrying backpack.

Because of its size, this is also a very heavy board. Bluefin doesn’t list an official weight, but our pack with accessories weighed over 50 pounds, making it unrealistic to wear as a backpack. Luckily the carry pack has built-in wheels for rolling, though you’ll need fairly smooth terrain.

Design: Bright colors, rugged build

One thing that stands out about the Carbon Cruise is its serious build. The company spells out and emphasizes the importance of its materials and construction from the drop stitching methods, to the carbon fibers woven into it, and the reinforcements such as a heat-welded rail to increase both stiffness and durability along the edge of the board.

For an inflatable board of this size, stiffness is key to maintaining performance while supporting larger weight loads. Thankfully, there are lots of tie-downs and two bungee strap zones in front and back.

The board takes a few minutes to fully pump, but thankfully the board comes with one of the nicest included floor pumps I’ve ever used.

There are some other interesting design features, such as the ability to convert to a two-person sit-on-top kayak by adding the included seats. While we tested this feature and found it functional enough, it’s not something we’d personally value. But if you are looking for a sort of SUP-kayak conversion option, it's a nifty feature.

We do like the built-in action camera mount at the front of the board, which eliminates the need to glue on an after-market mount. 

Performance: Maneuverable with two, sluggish with one

At 15 feet, we didn’t expect a particularly nimble board and it can definitely feel sluggish, especially if you’re paddling solo. Paddling with a dog or non-paddling child can exacerbate this as you might not be able to stand in the optimal position for paddling. Plus there's the extra dead weight. Still, this board is for touring and cruising and it moves well for the size and feels rigid enough.

Adding a second paddling person can really change the dynamic and makes this board cruise. However, like two people paddling a canoe or kayak, it takes time to get a rhythm. Once you do, the double output can be refreshingly effective compared to solo paddling where you’re constantly switching sides and effectively steering while propelling.

The Cruise Carbon also comes fully kitted out, so there aren’t many additional accessory purchases you’re going to need to make outside of this kit.

The board has a three-fin setup that helps with maneuverability. We tried it with just the larger center fin and found turning much less effective. 

It’s important to note that there are limits to the board’s tandem capacities. The stated weight limit is 353 pounds, so two large adults might be pushing it. With two lighter female testers and an adult dog on the board together, it appeared to be near the weight limit and sinking a bit. Weight limits are there for a reason and the board is definitely at its best below that limit. So keep that in mind when considering who might try to use the board together.

We aren’t skilled or adventurous enough to have tested the Carbon Cruise in whitewater—or any kind of other rough water—but we paddled on some windy days and found it to be a very stable platform even when conditions weren’t glassy. Another tester took a crack at some yoga routines on the water and felt like the long, wide board was perfect for the task.

Price: Expensive, but less than two smaller boards

The MSRP of $1,499 is high for a paddleboard and may give sticker shock to folks who are seeing price tags closer to $500 or less for smaller boards from cheaper brands. Keep in mind, however, that if you’re considering a tandem board, it is likely replacing a purchase of two smaller, separate boards which could easily add up to this price tag.

The Cruise Carbon also comes fully kitted out, so there aren’t many additional accessory purchases you’re going to need to make. Many cheaper boards skip out on including a paddle, pump, and carrying case, so their lower price can be deceiving.

This probably isn’t the right board for beginners who aren’t sure if they’ll like stand-up paddleboarding, but if you’ve landed on a larger or tandem board and know you’ll appreciate the durability and performance of the Cruise Carbon, it’s likely worth the higher price.

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 15-Foot Tandem Paddleboard vs. Bestway HydroForce White Cap Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard and Kayak

On paper, there’s very little these two boards have in common. Despite being a mass-produced “big box” store model, the HydroForce White Cap is a decent board for infrequent users and it’s a fraction of the price (around $250). 

Like the Cruise Carbon, it has the add-a-seat to kayak option. At 10-feet long, it’s nowhere near the size and isn’t a realistic tandem option. But for the price, you could get two of the Bestway models for a third of the price of the Cruise Carbon if budget is a top concern.

For a larger tandem inflatable, it’s hard to beat the stiffness and performance of the Cruise Carbon for the price. Just be sure you’re okay with the compromises you’ll make in transporting and performance versus smaller boards.

Still undecided? Check out our roundup of the best inflatable stand-up paddleboards .

• Product Name Cruise Carbon 15’ Paddleboard
• Product Brand Bluefin
• 16027095738-1-1
• Price $1,499.00
• Weight 353 lbs.
• Product Dimensions 36 x 6 x 190 in.
• Color Multi
• What’s Included Paddles, pump, strap, kayak seats
• Warranty 5 years

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Cruise Carbon 15 Clearance Paddleboard

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Elevate your paddleboarding experience with the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 15. Our board features a state-of-the-art design with a 3K Carbon fiber rail layer, offering a perfect blend of stiffness and flexibility in a lightweight package. We've gone the extra mile by adding a heat-welded carbon mid-rail between internal and external rail tape, ensuring unmatched tension and rigidity. Plus, our innovative Air Duo inflation chambers, complete with a stand-alone central inflation loop, make the Carbon exceptionally durable and buoyant, doubling as a safety feature. Our all-inclusive package features a 2-piece carbon paddle that's nearly 70% lighter than standard SUP paddles. The universal US Box design lets you adapt your fin to different conditions. D-rings make SUP-to-kayak conversion easy, and a comfy padded seat can be added. Swap the SUP handle for a specialized kayak paddle blade. The integrated Helmlock attachment point is compatible with our Action Camera (sold separately). Perfect for advanced paddlers and SUP enthusiasts, the Carbon range is your next-level choice.

*Customers have a 30-day window to change their minds and request a full refund, provided the product remains new, unused, and has not been inflated, and it is returned in its original packaging. However, customers are responsible for covering the return postage costs. It's essential to retain the original packaging during this period. Additionally, there is a 5 year warranty for the product, offering peace of mind to customers in case of any manufacturing defects or issues. It's worth noting that the packaging itself may have some imperfections.

• Cruise Carbon Board
• Triple Action Pump
• Core Backpack
• Carbon Fibre Paddle with Kayak Blade (X2 with 15')
• Kayak Conversion Kit (X2 with 15')
• 1 Large US Fin, 2 Small Smartlock Fins
• Ankle Leash

Board Dimensions

15' - 456 cm x 92 cm x 16cm

Bag Dimensions

100cm x 37cm x 30cm

Inflated Board Weight

15 - 21.45kg

Package Weight

Max User Weight

Board Composition

Dual chamber board with ESL fused PVC and the densest drop-stitch on the market with carbon strengthened side rails for reliability.

US centre fin and Smartlock side fins

Paddle Height

Minimum - 175cm Maximum - 220cm

Carbon Fibre Paddle with Kayak Blade

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• Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8"

Great All-round SUP

Bluefin cruise carbon 10’8″ - review 2024.

BluefinSUPBoards.com

We gave our Review Team one job: Find the best and most popular products and review them. Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews.

Where to buy:

Where to buy bluefin cruise carbon 10’8″:.

The Flex Reduction System and the Air Duo inflation which are incorporated into this board’s construction makes it extremely sturdy and stable on the water. The Carbon Cruise is definitely one of the most stable iSUPs on the water, mimicking the stability of a classic hardboard. Nevertheless, the board doesn’t sacrifice any stability for its maneuverability. This board is very responsive and nimble on the water, ideal for more advanced paddle boarders or even beginners.

Like the Cruise, the Carbon Cruise comes with a full package including a lightweight carbon-fiber paddle, double-chamber pump, backpack, leash, a kayak seat kit and repair kit. This extensive package makes this board an incredibly affordable and good-value purchase.

Our Overall Review

Things we like:, things we don't like:.

• DIVEIN.com Score: 4.8/5 
• Construction: 4.8/5
• Stability: 4.9/5
• Maneuverability: 4.9/5
• Portability: 4.7/5
• Price/Quality: 4.7/5

This board has been getting a lot of praise for years now – and that’s to be expected. It doesn’t fail in the performance department and neither does it disappoint in quality. Below, see the features it boasts, the accessories that come with it, and the versatility it provides for paddlers, and join the club of those who rave about the Cruise Carbon 10’8.

• The Air Duo system is another feature we can’t get enough of. It consists of the inflation and central loop chambers that work together to ensure the SUP board is rigid under every circumstance.
• The Croco-diamond deck pad deserves special recognition too. Despite looking stylish, it’s also functional. The crocodile-textured material means no slippage even during the toughest turns. It provides extra warmth on chillier tours too.
• D-rings, D-rings, D-rings. There can never be too many of them, that we know for sure. The 14 D-rings integrated into the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 nail the task of helping you clip stuff onto the SUP board. When combined with the 4 straps that run along the length of the cargo cords, the 2024 Cruise Carbon gives even more storage.
• There are 5 handles for you to grab onto when carrying the board: one in the center, one on both nose and tail, and two on both sides. No need to ask a friend to help you transport the board from your house to the nearby lake – you can do it yourself now.
• Best Suited For: Cruising/touring with freight/kayaking
• Material: 1000 Denier Exo Surface Laminate w/ Pro-Weave Drop Stitch Technology
• Volume: 260 liters
• Capacity: 286 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10’8 x 32.5” x 5.9”
• Weight: 25 lbs.

Accessories

The price of the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 SUP board becomes completely justifiable when you take into account the huge bundle of accessories it comes with. And we’re not just talking about the backpack and a paddle – the triple-action pump, a coiled leash, and kayak conversion kit are a part of the deal too. See for yourself.

• Paddle: Since you can’t paddle without a paddle , it’s the first thing you should be looking for when receiving your SUP board in the mail. This paddle is a lightweight carbon-fiber paddle that weighs less than the typical aluminum SUP paddles.
• Pump: The double-chamber triple-action pump is equipped with an ergonomic grip and slim design. Inflating the two chambers is quick when using all 3 settings gradually. The handles aren’t removable though.
• Leash: A 10-feet coiled leash is a gold standard for Bluefin SUP boards . The one that’s included in this bundle features a Neoprene band and a velcro rail-saver, both of which are nice features.
• Backpack: A pack that can efficiently store all of your paddling essentials and more is really nice. Bluefin realized this early on and added a spacious backpack with an extra back padding and a reinforced zipper webbing. With wheels included on the newer model, you can still put it on your back when biking without too much labor.
• Kayak Kit: Who doesn’t like 2-in-1 deals? Those who say so are probably lying. Cruise Carbon 10’8 can be quickly converted into a kayak, which makes it a dual-purpose board. If you’re tired from paddling and want to enjoy the views without having to stay on top of your balance game, convert the board into a kayak in a snap of your two fingers. Yes, it’s that straightforward.
• Waterproof Phone Case: Get used to it – accessories for electronic devices are hardly a novelty anymore. So, it’s only normal to be receiving them when purchasing an outdoor activity tool that implies you being out and about for half a day at the very least.
• Repair Kit: It includes PVC patches and a valve wrench. You probably won’t need to fix a tear or change a SUP valve but we recommend you keep it anyway. Just in case.

Related Reviews

Read full review

You would think that the short-ish length of the Bluefin Cruise Carbon board means it’s not stable. Fortunately, this isn’t the case. Thanks to the Flex Reduction System and the Air Duo inflation incorporated into the board, there isn’t much flexibility to it. And this is a good thing.

Feel free to make as many sharp turns as you want – the chances of you falling over are painfully low. We mean it when we say it – this is one of the most stable SUP boards on the market. (So, go and grab one ASAP, we guess?)

Maneuverability

The Cruise Carbon 10’8 is an advanced all rounder. It has a sporty feel to it that makes it very nimble. The responsiveness is pretty impressive. In fact, you could do some small-wave surfing.

We credit the pointed nose and the gripping deck pad for the board’s excellent performance. This combo helps with blasting through the lakes and rivers and executing some challenging tricks the most.

Portability

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 SUP board isn’t the easiest [but isn’t the most difficult either] to carry. It sits somewhere in between the iRocker All-Around 10’ and the Bluefin Cruise 12’ boards.

The carbon-reinforced side rails (the much-touted FRS) and the duo inflation chamber are the ones to blame for the ‘just okay’ portability. But this isn’t all that bad – the board still fits nicely into the backpack that comes with it and can be brought by car or by bike to the paddling destination.

Price/Quality Ratio

The Cruise Carbon boards are on the high-end price spectrum of SUPs. But there’s a reason for it. They provide some of the best quality materials that raise the bar for not only the construction but also the performance of SUP boards.

This board in particular outperforms a good chunk of the similar SUP boards. Think long-lasting quality and the wide range of accessories that you’d normally have to purchase separately. With this board, it’s covered. You’re getting all you need for a good paddling session in one package.

Do we recommend it?

There’s no doubt that the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 SUP board is an outstanding piece of equipment that is a real bargain for those looking to invest in a long-lasting board. It’s built from durable materials, offers exceptional performance, and comes with a  more-than-needed number of accessories to supplement the experience. What else is there to ask for?

Everyone who’s under 6 feet tall and under 200 pounds large will find it easy to use. In other cases, look into its 12’ counterpart that does the job just as well.

Frequently asked questions

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 SUP board is rated for 286 lbs but it can withstand up to 330 pounds of weight.

Generally speaking, if you’re under 6 feet and weigh less than 200 pounds, Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 is your best bet. Alternatively, if you’re over 6 feet and weigh more than 190 pounds, the 12’ version of the board will suit you better.

This board comes with a 5-year warranty from the manufacturer. We believe it’s a great deal that guarantees a good return on the investment.

Thanks to the drop-stitch hull design of the board, you can inflate it up to 28 PSI max. That said, the recommended inflation range sits between 12 and 15 PSI.

The air inflation system integrated into the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 means that there are 2 chambers that need filling for the board to be fully inflated. It helps with the rigidness and stability – the characteristics that are both essential for a pleasant paddling session. If you’re not keen on manually pumping the Carbon 10’8 every time you paddle, you can opt to use an electric pump.

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Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” Inflatable SUP Review | 2024

• September 19, 2023

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” iSUP: Overview

Whether you are going for a sunset joyride, loading up for a fishing trip, heading out for a few miles to get your heartrate up, or just getting on the water to cool down, the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” is ready to go. This fully-featured board can be outfitted in just about any way you can imagine. Its wide outline and tail make it extremely stable for beginner paddlers, but it’s still capable of paddling efficiently for short distances. Whether you have never tried paddle boarding before or you are an advanced paddler, the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” is an all-around iSUP that can take you all around.

— Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” Summary Ratings and Review —

Bluefin SUP Cruise Carbon 10'8"

• Construction & Durability
• Features and Versatility
• Maneuverability
• Check the Best Price on the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8”

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 iSUP Video Review

Construction and Durability

The Cruise Carbon 10’8” utilizes Bluefin’s ESL shell material and carbon fiber fabric rail reinforcements to increase overall durability, while a second air chamber provides a marginal safety measure in case of puncture or failure while on the water.

Bluefin has refreshed their iSUP lineup with a new, slightly lighter weight construction, but still utilizes a double-layer fusion shell, rail reinforcements, and two air chambers for the Cruise Carbon 10’8”.

Inside the board there is a high-density drop stitch core that gives the board a flat shape, high pressure rating, and rigid feel. The top and bottom knitted fabric layers are covered with Bluefin’s Exo Surface Laminate (ESL) PVC material. This is a double-layer fusion material that uses a liquid PVC layer to seal the drop stitch fabric and adhere the outer layer of reinforced PVC tarpaulin to the board.

The top and bottom of the board are joined together with a machine-glued internal rail layer and a second, wider layer of PVC is glued around the board again for

The Cruise Carbon 10’8” has two air chambers, both made the same way. The outer chamber and inner chamber are made separately and are then connected together with a wide PVC tape on both the top and bottom of the board. The PVC and the pressure once the board is inflated keeps the two sections tightly connected and acting as a single unit.

The outer rail of the board also has Bluefin’s Flex Reduction System – a carbon fiber fabric material that is sandwiched against the board with an extra layer of PVC on the outside. These rail reinforcements do add some rigidity to the board, however the biggest improvement they make to any board is drastically increasing the abrasion and puncture resistance to the rails – one of the hardest hit areas of the board.

Once the deck pad and other features are added to the board, the final weight comes out to just under 30 lbs. Each air chamber is rated for a maximum inflation pressure of 15 PSI. With the heavy weight, double air chamber and carbon fiber fabric rails I was really interested in seeing how the Cruise Carbon 10’8” would do in our bend test.

Our dry land bend test uses a 170 lbs static weight placed on the board in the middle of a seven-foot span. Once it was loaded up, the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” bent 1.575” (4.0 cm). This was more of a bend than I was expecting and is just a hair more than our running average across all boards (1.56”). I feel that this result is primarily driven by the relatively lower maximum inflation pressure of just 15 PSI. I have a feeling that a higher maximum pressure of even just 18 PSI would likely improve this testing performance. But, as with all iSUPs, the more important rigidity test is on the water.

Once you’re standing on the board on the water, it’s a very different picture. I couldn’t feel any noticeable flex while standing and paddling at a normal cruising pace. Walking on the board was easy, but I could feel some slight flex through the board. It wasn’t enough to impact stability, but I could feel it. Bouncing on the board generated a fairly high amount of flex with a predictable but slightly tight feeling rebound. While sprinting with the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” I did notice a mild amount of flex in the board, but not enough that I felt it significantly impacted the board’s speed.

Overall, the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” is built with durability in mind. The heavy duty materials, carbon fiber reinforced rails, and dual air chamber are all designed to give you a solid feel on the water that won’t let you down.

Specifications

Features, accessories and versatility.

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” is a fully-featured all-around iSUP that can just as easily handle an overnight fishing trip as a casual cruise.

Bluefin has always been known for their very inclusive accessory kits. The Cruise Carbon 10’8” comes with your standard accessories like a coiled leash, repair kit, carbon fiber/nylon paddle, fins, and double chamber pump. It also includes a carrying strap and waterproof phone case. All of these items fit easily into the heavy-duty roller bag that has a stow-away backpack harness. While the Cruise Carbon 10’8” does not include a full kayak conversion kit, the paddle is compatible with an additional blade.

With all of these features and accessories, there isn’t much you can’t do with the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8”.

The Bluefin Drive Carbon paddle is a user-friendly paddle well suited to match the intended paddling style of the Cruise Carbon 10’8”.

The Drive Carbon paddle is a three piece paddle that uses carbon fiber for the shaft and handle sections along with a nylon paddle blade. The paddle shaft is designed to work as both a SUP paddle and a kayak paddle with an optional second paddle blade. At nearly 34 ounces, this paddle is neither particularly light nor heavy for a kit paddle, and the overall feel is well balanced in the hand.

The blade and shaft both have a moderate amount of flex while paddling. This gives the paddle a softer feel that is more comfortable over long periods of time. However, it does limit the amount of power you can transfer through the paddle with a given stroke.

For casual cruising, the Drive Carbon paddle does a great job of propelling the board at reasonable speeds. It is a little difficult to sprint with as the larger blade can become difficult to move quickly.

Adjusting the length of the paddle is simple, however there is no indexing groove so you will need to make sure to properly align the handle and the blade each time you change the length.

The handle is a tubular T-grip with a rubberized coating. It’s quite comfortable in the hand and gives you a secure grip without using a potentially irritating texture.

The Cruise Carbon 10’8” is very stable thanks to its wide tail and oversize shape.

First, the Cruise Carbon 10’8” is specified to be 32.25” wide (82cm). Our board measured a full 33” through the standing area. That’s a significantly wider size than specified, but it does lend the board to having even better stability.

While standing on the board I didn’t feel any undue rolling or twitching, and with a near 30 lbs board weight I wouldn’t expect it to. Heavier paddle boards will resist tilting better than lighter boards. The extra width in the standing area and the very wide tail give the Cruise Carbon 10’8” a very confidence-inspiring feel on the water.

It did remain pleasantly stable when tilting on its rail, however the more pronounced taper in the front does slightly detract from this secondary stability and I did not find it quite as easy to hold on its edge as I expected.

The deck pad provides excellent grip for both bare feet and shoes while moving on the board, and the extended length in the back makes it easier to get your weight over the tail for pivot turning compared to the previous model. Once your weight is back over the fins, the wide tail provides loads of support as you lift the nose to turn. I did find that the large tail had more resistance through the water and made pivot turning a little less smooth than boards with a smaller tail, however the extra stability is worth it for those just starting out with these more advanced maneuvers.

The Cruise Carbon 10’8”, as the name might imply, is a cruiser-style all-around iSUP. It’s designed primarily for casual paddling rather than top speed, but still paddles efficiently.

In our speed testing, the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” did reasonably well on the sprints with an average sustained sprint speed of 5.1 MPH and a peak speed of 5.6 MPH. Considering it’s 33” width and modest length, this is pretty good, but not at the top of the class. I did notice some flex in the board and more difficulty maintaining course while sprinting.

The Cruise Carbon 10’8” offers more to paddlers who are moving at a more casual cruising speed rather than a high-octane sprint. At a leisurely 25 strokes per minute, the Cruise Carbon 10’8” nets an average speed of 3.3 MPH. That’s very reasonable for a cruiser-style iSUP. Once the board is up to cruising speed each paddle stroke is able to propel the board just over 19 feet before slowing down giving it a gliding ratio of 1.8 board-lengths per stroke. That’s quite good for a board of this size. We would normally expect a board like the Cruise Carbon 10’8” to have a glide closer to 1.6 board lengths per stroke.

What this really means is that the Cruise Carbon 10’8” paddles very efficiently at a cruising pace, making it easy to let the miles drift by.

Maneuverability and Tracking

The Cruise Carbon 10’8” does a great job of balancing maneuverability and tracking performance with just a slight lean towards agility.

Cruiser iSUPs tend to highly favor maneuverability over straight line tracking. The Cruise Carbon 10’8” has a good balance of both, but still makes it very easy to turn.

With forward sweep strokes only (paddling in an arc from nose to tail) the Cruise Carbon 10’8” turns a full circle in just over 6.5 strokes on average. This isn’t the fastest result we’ve seen for a board this size, but it’s still very manageable. Turns of up to 90° can usually be made in just 1-2 strokes. Throwing things in reverse turns the board much more quickly, needing only 4 strokes on average to spin in a full circle.

There are more efficient techniques for turning that work well with the Cruise Carbon 10’8” as well. Smaller course changes are easily handled with bow-draw strokes that let you continue paddling forward. The wide tail and stable shape make it very easy to move to the back of the board for snappy pivot turns that will let you do an about face in just a single-stroke (with a bit of practice).

Straight line tracking with the Cruise Carbon 10’8” is just a little below average for iSUPs of its size and shape. In our 10-stroke tracking test, the Cruise Carbon 10’8” deviated an average of 20° off course over 10 paddle strokes on one side with all three fins installed. Even though it’s not a super high performer in this category, it still does well for casual paddling. Most folks won’t be taking 10 strokes at a time before switching sides. With just a handful of strokes at a time, the Cruise Carbon 10’8” stays on course much better without the need for as much steering. When it does come time to steer the board, it responds very well to minor adjustments.

The Cruise Carbon 10’8” has three fin boxes in a 2+1 configuration and comes with a complete set of fins. The center fin box is a standard US fin box and is equipped with a 9” surf-style fin. The two side fin boxes use a tool-less fliplock fin box and come with matching 4.5” fins. The center finbox’s standard design makes it compatible with thousands of different fins so you can customize your maneuverability and tracking performance. If you want more tracking, a larger touring-style fin will help with that. If you want to paddle in shallower areas or want more maneuverability you can easily install a 4.5” gummy fin in the center box. You can also chose to run the Cruise Carbon 10’8” with all three fins as we did for our testing, with just the center fin, or with just the side fins.

Warranty and Customer Support

Bluefin offers a 5 year manufacturer’s warranty for their inflatable paddle boards, including the Cruise Carbon 10’8”. Additionally, all of Bluefin’s accessories are covered by a 12 month warranty. Bluefin also offers a 60-day return window for unused items if you decide you’d like a different model iSUP. If you have any questions, Bluefin customer service is available via email, online chat, and social media.

Overall Impressions/Review Summary

The Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” is an excellent cruiser-style all-around iSUP. The extra width in the middle of the board and the extra wide tail give it excellent stability for paddlers of all skill levels, and is a great option for new paddlers just starting to get their feet wet. The fully-featured board makes it easy to carry anything you’d need with you for a day (or even two) on the water, and the fin setup is quite versatile to match your paddling style and environment. The cherry on top is certainly Bluefin’s warranty. A 5 year warranty gives you great piece of mind, and the high quality construction means that you’ll be paddling the Cruise Carbon 10’8” for much longer than that.

Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” iSUP FAQ

What is the difference between the bluefin cruise carbon 10’8” and bluefin cruise 10’8”.

The Cruise Carbon 10’8” is Bluefin’s premium all-around iSUP. It has a second air chamber for increased rigidity and an extra safety margin; it also has the Flex Reduction System carbon fiber fabric rail reinforcements for another increase in stiffness and durability against abrasion and punctures.

Should I get the Cruise Carbon 10’8” or the Cruise Carbon 12’?

The Cruise Carbon 10’8” is a cruiser-style all-around that’s great for shorter trips, extra stability, paddling with a kid or pet, and general SUP use. The Cruise Carbon 12’ is closer to a touring-style board that is a little narrower and noticeably faster and less maneuverable. Both have a full feature set that can be used for a variety of activities.

Is the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8” heavy?

The Cruise Carbon 10’8” weighs just under 30 lbs for the board only and just under 50 lbs with the entire kit (including the bag). While this is definitely heavy for this size iSUP, the weight is not highly noticeable once you are on the water.

How long does it take to inflate the Cruise Carbon 10’8”?

It takes about 8-10 minutes to fully inflate the Cruise Carbon 10’8” using the included hand pump.

Does the Cruise Carbon 10’8” come with a kayak conversion kit?

No, the Cruise Carbon 10’8” does not include the kayak conversion kit. However, Bluefin does have one available designed to work with the Cruise Carbon 10’8”, and the Cruise Carbon 12’ does include this kit.

Need more details about the weight.

We have a newly updated review coming out for the Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ very shortly. The new version of the board is 30 lbs (the previous version was close to 35 lbs for the board only). The full kit is approximately 48 pounds.

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