A superbly fast and surprisingly stable stand up paddle board for touring and camping
Load your board up with gear and take your water-based adventures further afield on a Red Paddle Co Voyager 13.2 stand up paddle board. Offering speed that rivals other performance crafts, and the capacity to carry gear for multi-day camping trips, this efficient and stable paddle board will take you places you never even dreamed of getting to by water.
Red Paddle Co Voyager 13.2: The stats
| Best for: | Touring, camping and long-distance exploring |
| Dimensions: | 13’2″ x 30” x 5.9″ |
| Weight: | 11.5kg / 25.3lb |
| Rider weight: | Up to 150kgs / 330lbs |
| Volume: | 350 litres |
| Bag size: | 96 x 39 x 36cm/ 37.7 x 15.35 x / 14.17″ |
Features of the Red Paddle Co Voyager 13.2
Storage bungees
There are two areas on the Voyager to store gear: A 6 point cargo tie-down system at the front of the board and a 4 point cargo tie-down system at the back. The cords are elasticated bungees that criss-cross between D-rings. Some of the D-ring attachment points also have M8 screw mounts that are widely compatible with other types of attachments.Grip deck
The Red embossed diamond cut deck pad covers a very large area on the board, providing excellent grip underfoot in a variety of standing, kneeling or sitting positions. There’s also an extra-grippy traction pad underneath the rear cargo tie-down system to help keep gear in the right place.
Carry handles
The Voyager has 5 embroidered carry handles on the board: one in the middle of the board, one centrally on each edge, and one at each end. These give a variety of carrying options which is essential when the board is loaded up with gear. Their soft design also means that they’re not uncomfortable if you tread or sit on them.
Reinforced sides
Unique to Red Paddle Co is the Rocker Stiffening System (RSS). RSS battens are inserted into the side walls of the board to increase the stiffness of the board helping it to glide with efficiency when loaded with gear. The battens make the board up to 40% stiffer which means that it can deal with a greater load (either heavier people or more gear), without compromising on performance and speed.
Backpack
The Voyager comes with a heavy duty carry bag that has stow away backpack and waist straps as well as wheels for easy transportation. Internally there’s a mesh pocket and paddle storage loops, plus straps to secure the rolled up board in place. The bag also fits in the large pump and spare parts/repair kit etc.
Also included
When you opt for the Voyager package you also get a three-piece paddle which is highly adjustable and easy to store when not in use. There are 5 different paddle types to choose from. The package also includes a twin chamber pump with a pressure gauge, an 8 foot coiled leash, a removable FCS fin and a repair kit.
Red Paddle Co Voyager 13.2 review
At 13.2 feet long, the Voyager is by far the longest paddle board I have ever encountered. Despite my excitement at the possibilities that the design and size would open up for me, I was also a little dubious as to whether I’d be able to carry this thing!
Yes, it’s pretty huge. But it’s also on the narrow side for such a large board, and actually only a couple of kilos heavier than boards that are a couple feet shorter. Plus, the 5 handle options means that there’s almost always an efficient way of moving it to and from the water, especially if there’s another person to help!
Getting the board near the water is also a breeze with the multiple carry options offered by the backpack. The straps are decently padded with a waist belt for longer hauls, and if you happen to be negotiating smooth, paved areas then just pull it along like you would a suitcase with wheels!
Performance
I was expecting to be able to cruise with efficiency and power on the Voyager and I was excited about being able to cover decent distances without too much effort. I wasn’t disappointed. On flat water this thing soars! Even paddling against the current, the resistance is minimal making each stroke drive the board forwards with satisfying ease.
What I wasn’t expecting was for this board to provide much stability. The first time I tried it out I tentatively crawled on, expecting to be toppled as soon as I rose to my feet. But an early swim was not to be, thankfully! I’m a fairly small and light being. Even so, I felt very little difference in terms of stability between the Voyager 13.2 and the Sport 11.3. The main difference I felt was the maneuverability. Turning the Voyager takes a little more effort and time than with shorter boards. But not by much.
SUP camping with the Red Voyager 13.2
With very little gear or added weight on the board it glides through the water at speeds that fiercely compete with sea kayaks. Even two people paddling an inflatable canoe have to dig deep to keep up with a single paddler on the Voyager. Load up gear and supplies for a weekend getaway and sure, everything is slightly slower and less streamlined, but this thing still cruises – it was born for adventures like this.
On our first two day paddling trip I packed light. Not mega light; I still brought a couple of cans of beer and a large cookset. But I didn’t bring anything unnecessary. Once everything was loaded onto the boards I kinda wished I’d packed more luxuriously! I had room to spare under both the front and back cargo tie-down systems – a ton of space for an overnight paddling trip.
I’ve not done more than one night getaways with the Voyager. However, there are enough storage options and plenty of space on the deck to carry gear and food for a week. And because the board is so surprisingly stable, it could easily deal with the extra weight.
What I love the most about the Red Paddle Co Voyager 13.2
When you want to go fast, you can go fast! It’s a joy to paddle and incredibly satisfying to feel the glide in calm conditions. But more than that, I love how much stuff you can carry on the board without sacrificing speed and performance too much. It’s the perfect adventure paddle board.
What I don’t love so much about the Red Paddle Co Voyager 13.2
It takes a little more work to turn than other shorter boards.
Verdict
If you want to go places by water and you want to go far then you need to hop onto the Red Paddle Co Voyager 13.2. It glides with efficiency and power without sacrificing stability. And the capacity to carry a shed load of gear on board opens up a whole world of exploration and adventure. The ideal option for paddle board camping and long distance SUP trips.
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Red Paddle Co
Planning a SUP camping trip? Read our guide to paddle board touring for beginners.
Disclaimer: Cool of the Wild received this product free to trial in return for an honest review. We only recommend gear that we love from companies we trust and we are under no obligation to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are that of the reviewer and we are in no way influenced by the brand or company.
