Red Paddle Co 12'6" vs 13'2" Voyager 2022/23 Comparison Review

[@craigikemp]

I'm about 6'3'' and 105 Kgs and went for the 13'2" and it is plenty stable. As they mention in the video I think it will have more room to grow into as my skills improve. I put a LOT of thought into whether I should go for the 12'6" or the 13'2" (they aren't cheap) and wanted to make sure I made the right choice for a longer term investment and I think I did!

[@TheSUPCompany]

Thanks for watching Craig. Glad you agree and to hear that you are enjoying your new board.

[@italomarconi8670]

Hi Craig, I'm exactly your height and weight. Would you recommend the 13'2" after two years? Thanks

[@scottybeegood]

I have last years 132 and he is on point, love that board.

[@TheSUPCompany]

Thanks for watching Scott and your feedback :)

[@MrTans79]

Nice comparison 🤙🏼

[@TheSUPCompany]

Thanks for watching - glad you enjoyed it :)

[@MiguelMR]

Really clear and good video, thanks.

[@TheSUPCompany]

Thanks Miguel.

[@raczyk]

Which be better for calm rivers? Id assumbe agility be more important on calm rivers?

[@TheSUPCompany]

13'2 Voyager all day long... way more efficient in a straight line and tracking is much improved.

[@raczyk]

​@@TheSUPCompany Have you seen the newwe 12' voyager which has the same shape as the 13'2", I'd assume it track the same way? I'm 5'10" and 150 lbs, perhaps the 12' would be a better fit. Looking for short to medium camping trips so need to cary about 40 lbs of gear.

[@bryllupsfotofilm]

12.6 a size for life. Im 58yo & 85 kg. I have try others but no one like this. mod 2019 1 fin. awesome stability and speed.

[@TheSUPCompany]

Thanks for wathcing :)

[@aidanleo5564]

Thanks for this nice video! Good information! Does the round outline of the 12“6‘ make the board less moveable? I look for stability but as you mentioned, the 12“ seems big and not very agile like e.g. fanatic 12“6‘ which has the same outline as the voyager 13“. Why this roundness? Since I want the 32“ width, would the sport 11“3‘ be an alternative? Thank you for your assessment and info 🙂

[@TheSUPCompany]

Yes it does and it reduces glide when compared to say a board such as the Fanatic 12'6 Ray Air (which just feels more slippery when paddling). However this roundness do add more volume to the board as well as make it more stable in the tail and forward sections.

[@aidanleo5564]

@@TheSUPCompany Thank you for the statement! That helps to understand - I tried the sport 11"3' and that seems perfect for me. A little more "shakey" but very good to manouver and still stable after a while. Best wishes!

[@theoutdoordad7395]

Would the 13’2” have comparable glide to a 12’6” okeanos or generation hardboard on flatwater?

[@TheSUPCompany]

Thanks for watching and the question. The 13'2 goes glide marginally better than the 12'6 Okeanos due to its longer waterline length. However, you can't over the look handling aspects of the two boards as the 13'2 is more capable in chop and a cross wind situation. The twin fins of the Voyager also offer better tracking but at the expense of some of the overall glide explaining why the difference is only marginal when compared to the 12'6 Okeanos. The 13'2 Voyager is also more rigid than the Okeanos. However, the one thing not yet discussed is price. All of these differences / benefits come at a price when it comes to Red Paddle Co which cannot be overlooked. This said, we'd say that the residual values of the Red Paddle Co products are slightly stronger but appreicate you are not buying something to sell it rather paddle it but all the same it could be a consideration.

[@danhibbert5650]

I'm torn between the Red Voyager 13.2 and the Starboard Touring DC 12.6. I've tried the starboard before and it was definitely a bit 'tippy' but on the whole very good. I do most of my paddling on the sea so always in some chop. The dual fins and the v hull must make the 30" width feel more stable than the 30" on the starboard. But then again the 12.6 x 32 Red voyager would definitely batter through the chop. What are your thoughts please? Cheers.

[@TheSUPCompany]

Hi Dan, thanks for watching and your question. If a blend of stability and glide are your main goals then the width along with overall outline shape of the board are critical. The 12'6 Voyager is very stable due to its width and the fact it carries this width quite far forwards and aft. At first glance this is great; however... assuming prgression and that you won't always be paddling in choppy conditions everything that makes the 12ft6 Voyager so stable can compromise glide. The 12 ft 6 Starboard Touring is a great board and shape; generally well mannered and very efficient making it rewarding to paddle (in the DC version also extremely rigid). It glides better than the 12 ft 6 Voyager easily as it does not have the twin fins creating drag (their toe'd in design sacrifices some glide for gains in tracking due their opposing angles and the resulting drag). The 13ft2 Voyager however is the king of the heap of these three but also its not really a fair comparison due to the longer waterline lenght of the 13'2 increasing glide so much; approx 10% more than the other two models. Stability of the 13'2 is certainly less than the 12'6 Voyager but it is marignally better than the Starboard 12'6 Touring for the things you have said as well as the wide tail section. Money no object, across a broad range of conditions we'd say the 13'2 Voyager wins out. We hope this helps. If you would like to discuss this further you can reach us at [e-mail]

[@danhibbert5650]

@@TheSUPCompany thank you for an amazing response. With your interest free deals it's hard not to buy a new board. Thanks again.

[@robjohnson470]

Could you carry a larger passenger , ie 130lbs adult on either ?

[@TheSUPCompany]

Thanks for watching Rob. You certainly could, with the 12'6 Voyager being more suited towards this due to its higher volume and more stability. However, neither board is meant for this and you passenger may well get a damp bottom from being seated.

[@erikvloothuis1020]

How do you compare the 12,6 vs the sport range?

[@TheSUPCompany]

Hi, thanks for watching and the question. The key differences in terms of paddling performance are around stability and tracking. The Sport at 2" inch narrower is certainly less stable and the 12'6 Voyager but it does track better as a result. The 12'6 Sport also glides better due to the reduced wetted surface area and does not feel 'held back' by the twin fins boxes that are toe'd in against one another to improve the tracking on the Voyager. Where the Voyager does with though is on deck - far more features and an exceptional touring board as a result.

[@ericbakke3060]

Would you say the 13’2” Voyager is the fastest touring board on the market (compared with other touring boards with the same dimensions)?

[@TheSUPCompany]

Hi Eric, thanks for watching. If compared to other 13'2 models on the market it is certainly one of the most rigid and capable. The twin fins do rub off a bit of top speed to aid tracking but it does still glide and perform really well. As a displacement craft, a longer board of say 14ft and 30" wide on paper at least should glide better.

[@alexDreplay]

They’re great boards, but they aren’t fast by any means.