Most people think that because some paddleboards are beginner-friendly, they’re no longer useful when one becomes an intermediate paddler. This is unlikely since a lot of paddleboards are built to last until you become an advanced paddler. Of course, not all paddleboards are built the same so you have to know which board will save you from buying a new one.
The Sea Eagle LongBoard 126 iSUP is one of the best paddleboards that can last for a long time. Its features are made so that even intermediate paddlers get to use this board for other SUP styles. Besides, this iSUP uses durable and military-grade materials that make it indestructible. Want to know if this is the paddleboard for you? Here’s a complete review.
Sea Eagle Paddle Boards
If there is one paddleboard company that has been around in the 20th century, it’s Sea Eagle. This company started way back in 1968 with the purpose of making inflatable boats that people can use for their water activities. This is a family-owned company and the owners themselves are quite fond of sailing and paddling in the nearby bay at Long Island.
Initially, Sea Eagle only sold inflatable boats. The company’s first product was a 2-person inflatable kayak. A few years later, the company expanded its offerings and started making inflatable boats. The company grew in popularity in the water sports industry.
Today, Sea Eagle already has a total of 6 inflatable SUPs in their products. Most of these iSUPs are made for touring and racing. However, the company has made a few models that would cater to beginners and casual paddlers. Most, if not all, of its SUPs, can be used for a number of styles. They can also be converted into kayaks.
What sets Sea Eagle apart from its competitors are its 180-day money-back guarantee and 3-year warranties. There’s not a company out there that offers these advantages. Needless to say, Sea Eagle is confident that their products are high-quality that they are offering longer warranties to their customers.
A Quick Overview of the Sea Eagle LongBoard 126 iSUP
The Sea Eagle LongBoard 126 iSUP, or LB126 in short, is built for larger people who want an all-around paddleboard. This model has a shorter version, the LB11 which caters to smaller people who prefer a more compact paddleboard. These two models are in the same LongBoard series, so there aren’t a lot of differences between the two.
As an inflatable SUP, the LB126 is perfect for both beginners and intermediate players. Its durability and long lifespan allow its users to enjoy it for many years to come. To add to that, the design and construction of this iSUP are not just meant for beginners. In other words, the features aren’t too basic that you’ll outgrow them.
The Sea Eagle LongBoard 126 iSUP can be used in a lot of SUP styles. One of the most common styles done by paddlers is yoga. SUP yoga on the LB126 is very comfortable. This is mainly because of the wide width of this board (a total of 30 inches).
Moreover, this iSUP comes as a full package. Since it’s inflatable, Sea Eagle adds at least one pump, a paddle, fins, a backpack, and a repair kit. Paddlers will find this package much more reasonably priced than buying the other accessories separately.
Features of the Sea Eagle LongBoard 126 iSUP
Take a look at these features of the LB126.
12 Feet Long
If you’re wondering why the LB126 was named as such, it’s because of the length of the board which is 12 feet and 6 inches. You might be thinking that this board is too big but this was specially made by Sea Eagle to cater to paddlers that plan on using the board for fishing, yoga, and Pilates.
Compatibility with a Kayak Seat
Another use for its size is the LB126’s capability to have a kayak seat attached to the paddleboard. This is perfect for paddlers who want to bring their kids to the water but fear that they might fall on the water.
Sea Eagle offers a kayak seat that you can easily attach to this paddleboard. There are also other alternatives online. The point here is that if not for the size of the LB126, you won’t be able to have another way of enjoying SUP with your loved ones.
1100 Decitex Reinforced Material on the Hull
The hull is a mix of a touring SUP and an all-around SUP. To give you an idea, the former has a pointed nose while the latter has a round nose. When you look at the LB126’s hull, its pointedness is in the middle of the two kinds of SUP hulls.
The reason for this is that Sea Eagle wanted to make a highly effective paddleboard that can be capable of different SUP styles. Since the hull is a cross between two extremely different hulls, it has the best of both worlds.
4-Inch Entry Rocker
At the front of the hull is the 4-inch entry rocker. This rocker was designed to easily plow through the waves. When you look at the paddleboard on the side, the nose rocker is also elevated. This is not a defect because Sea Eagle purposely designed this to increase efficiency and mobility.
Full-Length Diamond-Patterned EVA Foam Deck Pad
In the middle of the paddleboard is the full-length diamond-patterned EVA foam deck pad. This deck pad almost covers the whole paddleboard to allow a lot of space for you to find the best position when paddleboarding. Even the person going with you will have enough room.
Aside from the spaciousness of the pad, the diamond patterns are meant to increase the grip. Whether you’re kneeling or standing, these grooves will help you maintain your balance. You’ll notice this to be very useful when you encounter small- to medium-sized waves.
Paddle Pocket
One of the best but underrated features of the Sea Eagle LongBoard 126 iSUP is its paddle pocket found right in the middle of the bungee system. This paddle packet is more like a handle but it’s placed in the middle where you can easily place your paddle without falling over.
The paddle pocket has the same color as the rest of the paddleboard, so it might be difficult to see at first. When you find it, you will no longer struggle to keep your paddle steady underneath the bungee system.
Tri-Fin System
The Sea Eagle LongBoard 126 iSUP includes a tri-fin system where two of the smaller kegs are fixed to the board while the center skeg can be detachable. This tri-fin system improves the overall performance of the board because you can adjust how many fins you’ll be using to better maneuver through the waters.
The center fin is attached to a universal fin box, so you don’t have to worry about looking for the exact same fin size when the original skeg gets broken.
Pros and Cons of the Sea Eagle LongBoard 126 iSUP
How do you know if the LB126 is the right paddleboard for you? Take a look at these pros and cons to help you decide if this is what you need.
Pros
- Durable and rigid
If you’ve read some reviews of the LB126, you’ll notice one thing – it’s durable. Some people even compare it with a hardboard since it feels like it somehow. Of course, they’re not the same but because the LB126 has a thickness of 6 inches, it has almost the same performance.
- Comes in a complete package
It’s a good thing that the LB126 already comes in a complete package. It may not have every accessory for paddleboarding but it comes with the important things to start your paddling session. Besides, it’s
much more convenient to have everything in one package.
- Has good-quality accessories
It’s not very common to find good-quality accessories included in a SUP package. Even other brands that have high-quality SUPs don’t have accessories that you would consider to be durable. With the Sea Eagle LongBoard 126 iSUP, all the accessories in the package are durable and high-quality.
- Has 180-day money-back guarantee
This is an advantage every Sea Eagle buyer enjoys. The company’s 180-day money-back guarantee allows you to test out their board without fear that you’ve bought the wrong one.
Let’s say you tried it a few times and found that its performance is not what you were expecting. Instead of keeping it because you worry that you just wasted money, you can return it and get your money back.
- Has a 3-year warranty
On top of the 180-day money-back guarantee, you also have a 3-year warranty that will make you feel at ease when there’s a defective part of your paddleboard.
Aside from the obvious advantage of a longer warranty, no one gives a long warranty the way Sea Eagle does.
Cons
- Not very fast
The LB126 may be used for a lot of SUP styles but it can’t do everything. If you’re planning to use it for racing, you’ll be disappointed. This paddleboard only has a moderate speed even when you’re on relatively calm waters. In Sea Eagle’s defense, all-around iSUPs aren’t made for speed because of the round-nosed hull.
- Can be a little pricey
Anyone who is price-sensitive will think twice about buying the Sea Eagle LongBoard 126 iSUP. Not only is it expensive; it can be a huge investment for people who aren’t that committed to paddleboarding. Even when it comes with a lot of add-ons, it still doesn’t justify the price.
- It’s been discontinued by Sea Eagle
Probably the biggest disadvantage of this iSUP is the fact that it’s been discontinued by Sea Eagle. If you were wondering why you can’t find it on the company’s site, it’s because it’s no longer being manufactured. The only remaining LongBoard is the LB11.
How Does the Sea Eagle LongBoard 126 iSUP Compare With Other Paddle Boards?
So is the Sea Eagle LongBoard 126 iSUP any good? Yes, it is. When you compare this with other beginner-friendly iSUPs, you won’t find a lot that can also cater to intermediate paddlers. With this capability alone, the LB126 is already ahead of its competition.
A lot of mid-range iSUPs claim that it can be used by advanced paddlers but since most of them are built from low-quality materials, it’s a rare occurrence for the paddleboard to last a few years. For the Sea Eagle LongBoard 126 iSUP’s case, it will last at least 5 years with proper care.
When it comes to performance, the LB126 is better than a lot of its competitors. It’s very sturdy and steady even if you install a kayak seat on it. Although it’s not the best board for racing, it can still be considered a versatile iSUP. Compared to other low-quality boards, this iSUP is still a better option especially when you don’t mind shelling out a few more dollars.
To add to that, Sea Eagle offers a 180-day money-back guarantee and a 3-year warranty. These benefits are not given by most paddleboard companies. So if you’re unsure if this is the iSUP for you, you at least have a safety net just in case you don’t like it after a few tries.
Verdict - Final Thoughts!
Overall, the Sea Eagle LongBoard 126 iSUP doesn’t have a lot of weak points that will make you not want to buy it. If ever, you’re just going to have a hard time looking for a site to buy it from since the Sea Eagle site no longer offers this iSUP. There might be some stocks in other sites like Amazon, so it’s best to check them out.
As for the performance and durability, the LB126 won’t let you down. This iSUP is a good investment if you’re planning on paddleboarding for a long time. Of course, it’s relatively pricier but since there are a lot of accessories that go with it, you can look past the cost. If you’re price-sensitive, the LB126 might be too expensive for your budget.
