Updated on 02/09/23
Bluefin Cruise Review
The Bluefin Cruise is an excellent stand up paddle board. This board has been my “daily driver” for the past 2.5 years, I have used it for trips of over 70 miles, and I have used it to introduce many new paddlers, from children to older adults.
This board is one of the most versatile inflatable paddle boards on the market today. One of its best features is its ability to handle calm water, light waves, and choppy water. In this review, I’ll be going over the specifications and features of the board and then going over my personal experiences with it.
Bluefin Cruise Review Video
The Pros and Cons
- The paddleboard handles all types of water very well and is a great option for versatile paddlers!
- The bluefin cruise 10'8" and 12' are both great options for beginners looking to get into the sport and intermediate paddlers looking to add to their collection.
- Large deck pad deck and kick pad that has stood the test of time.
- Unlike many other paddleboards, the bluefin cruise comes with a kayak conversion kit!
- For the complete package of accessories that come with the paddleboard, it is a great price!
- There is no rear bungee cord which does make it difficult when trying to fit lots of gear on for long trips.
- Fin system at times does not feel secure but, I have never lost a fin!
Is this the right paddle board for you?
The Bluefin Cruise 12′ is appropriate for any activity you want to do on a Stand Up Paddleboard. The paddleboard can handle a maximum weight of 385 pounds. Still, that’s underestimated because I have personally had around 415 lbs on the board and felt highly comfortable maneuvering and floating safely. ( 2 people and gear )
I took this board in the ocean, through rivers, lakes, streams, and flat water, and used it for yoga and fishing.
The Bluefin Cruise inflatable SUP is a rugged, affordable SUP ready to help you make the most of your next adventure. I’ve tried many other cheaper and more expensive paddleboards than the Bluefin Cruise paddleboard. But the Bluefin Cruise is the best board for beginners because of its quality and affordability.
We recommend waiting for this board to go on sale during the winter, which is typically the best time to buy a paddle board because it is when you can save $200. Still, if you want it, you may want to buy it sooner rather than later so you can have lots of fun!
Personal Experiences with the Bluefin Cruise
When I got my bluefin cruise 12′ paddleboard, it was pouring down rain outside, but I was too excited to not experience it! I unpacked the bluefin cruise and all of the glorious accessories that it came with. I inflated the board to 15 psi(Recommended 18) in only 4 minutes. For comparison, my 10’8′ glove board takes a bit longer to inflate, so the inflating time of the bluefin cruise was very impressive.
The middle carrying handle makes it easy to grab handles and carry the board long distances. Still, if you have a partner, there are carrying handles on the front and the back of the paddleboard. I hopped on the water for 2 hours and had a fantastic time with the SUP.
The croco-diamond grip deck had excellent grip on bare feet, and I recommend not wearing flip-flops or other shoes. The carrying bag made the board feel weightless when carrying it, and Bluefin did a great job at creating a bag that uses anchor points of your body to withstand most of your weight.
Since then, my greatest accomplishment with the board was taking it on a through-paddle of a 70-mile river where we camped on the side for five days. The river was shallow, and there were a ton of rocks. The bluefin did receive lots of scratches but not a single hole. The fiberglass paddle did not get tiring, and the conversion kit with the kayak seat allowed me to take a break from standing which was needed some days after paddling 12-15 miles.
The bluefin cruise destroyed any obstacle that was thrown at it! The only problem I encountered while on my trip was creating bungee attachments on the back of the paddleboard to carry my other accessories like a sleeping bag, tent, and dry bags. Overall this is a fantastic board that works well in all conditions!
The kick pad on the back allows you to lean in a bit and lift the front to make sharp turns. I had a blast doing pivot turns and other tricks, like leaning back and trying to get the front of your board up. I fell in once and had no trouble getting back on the board.
My girlfriend and I tried sitting down and kayaking on this board. It was one of the most relaxing experiences we have ever had. The back support makes it much easier to relax for long periods and can make longer excursions more manageable. Having this option at no extra charge is incredible, given that it is rarely included in packages at this price point.
The best beginner paddleboard on the market is available at a great “all-in” price. This package includes everything you need to start immediately, including a 5-year warranty.
I have had the Bluefin Cruise Board for about two years, which has been a wonderful experience. I typically use the board in a lake or river and feel it is perfect. The board is lightweight and easy to carry but also extremely sturdy. Storing the board is very easy and takes up minimal space.
My most recent experience with the board was taking it to the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and trying the board out on the ocean. It did relatively well, and it was a blast to be on it! I had lots of looks from people, which is always great. The board did okay in the wind, but hardboards are typically suited better for oceans and strong winds.
Check out my playlist if you want to learn more about the through paddle!
Bluefin Paddle Board Review Specs & Features
The Bluefin Cruise is the all-rounder of the Bluefin SUP range. The all-around shape makes this inflatable stand-up paddleboard very stable – ideal for beginners, pet and child friendly, and perfect for small surf.
The measurements of the Bluefin Cruise 12′ are:
- Dimensions: 144″ x 32″ x 6.2″
- Weight: 34 lbs
- Recommended inflation: 15-18 psi
- Rider Weight: 160+ lbs
- Max Weight: 385 lbs
The Bluefin Cruise 12′ is a great high performing board for longer recreational paddles on flat water and rivers. It tracks well and has a comfortable, stable ride, making it ideal for longer outings. The board turns great and is very responsive to movements.
It has really good stability for the size of the board that it is and the weight that it can carry. It is also extremely light meaning it is super easy to carry from your car to the water.
When the wind picks up, facing it can be challenging. However, I have been surprised at how well this board handles. The pointed nose lets it cut through the wind instead of fighting against it—resulting in less resistance than a round-nosed board I paddle on the same day in the same conditions.
The extra length helps, too. It gives the board more glide and increases speed, so you can get from point A to point B without paddling as hard. While it takes more energy to get up to speed initially than a shorter board, once you move, you cover more ground with each stroke and keep going for more extended periods.
There’s a trade-off here: A shorter board is easier to maneuver around obstacles and has better-turning capabilities. Overall, this board cruises along faster and straighter.
The Bluefin Cruise has a removable center fin and two side fins that are non-removable high-quality fins. If the side fins are bent, you can easily bend them back into place, making them great for storage. The three fins make the board great for tracking, but I hope the side fins are more customizable for different spots like surfing and whitewater paddleboarding in future models. Having a center removable fin is highly convenient and is not offered in some cheaper model paddle boards like the Body Glove Performer 11 paddle board.
If you plan on staying overnight on the water, you’ll find plenty of space to bring water and food. The storage space on the Bluefin 12′ is more than adequate for this job. The kayak conversion seat has 4 D-rings that can also add more storage with extreme bungee cords of needs. When I took my 5 Night paddleboard trip I was able to carry plenty of gear with me.
The Bluefin cruise comes with great packaging and carrying system that is comfortable on long hikes and easy to carry. The straps for the hips are comfortable and take a lot of weight off your back.
The bag has some handy outside pockets, but the zippers are webbing reinforced. You can easily fit all of your accessories in the bag, but you can’t overpack it. You will want to make sure you store your board properly and you will want to know the best procedures on how to store an inflatable paddle board.
The Bluefin Cruise 12′ does really well with tracking and maneuvering. With the kick pad on the back you can easily pivot yourself by giving a few strokes to your side and in no time will have your board pointed in the right direction!
Bluefin Cruise Accessories
The Bluefin Cruise 12′ comes with many items designed to enhance your paddleboarding experience. They include a fiberglass paddle, a dual-action pump, a coiled leash, a backpack, a kayak seat, a repair kit, and an 8″ center fin.
Fiberglass Paddle
The Bluefin 12’ Cruise comes with a four-piece fiberglass shaft and polyurethane blade. The paddle also includes a second blade that provides a kayak-like experience when paired with Bluefin’s kayak kit. No matter what you use it for, though—whether it’s standard paddling or kayaking—you’ll enjoy using this paddle at an intermediate or beginner level.
Dual-action Pump
Coiled Leash
Backpack
The 12′ Cruise Paddleboard Backpack is designed to protect your paddleboard and other gear from the elements. This backpack has a huge external zippered pocket, lateral compression straps, a mesh side pocket, padded back, shoulder strap and waist belt, internal straps to hold your board in place and haul handles at the top and side of the backpack. The system overall is extremely comfortable and easy to wear when going on long hikes to the water.
Kayak Seat
Repair Kit
8" Center Fin
Optional Accesorries
Amazon 5/5 “Everything you need to get started paddle boarding is included. I can inflate it in 10 minutes (I just inflate to 12 psi and that’s plenty to support me on the water), pack up in 5. Awesome, roomy backpack included that everything fits into easily and you can even throw gloves and a life jacket in. Handles great on the water, very solid.
I love that it converts to a kayak as well and you can carry everything on the SUP to convert back and forth between SUP and Kayak. I’ve been riding mine for 1 month and the only issue is that on 3 occasions when I disconnected the pump, it opened the valve and let most of the air out. I was able to reinflate and then it disconnected fine.
If you are used to solid SUP, be aware that inflatables are a little trickier to balance on, but once you get used to it, it’s actually a lot more fun to ride than a solid board. Just be ready to fall in a few times as you get the hang of it.”
Divein 4.7/5 “Reasons to buy: Lots of room to grow as a paddle boarder (go from novice to skilled),It comes with a kayak seat, Robust build, resistant both to sun and punctures, The board has a 5-year warranty from the manufacturer, Suitable for complete newbies and intermediately-advanced paddlers. Reason to not buy: The board is quite heavy, The plastic paddle handle isn’t too comfortable”
Trailandkale 9.4/10 “We have so much fun with our inflatable paddle board, it was definitely a great addition to our adventure gear collection for playing on our local lakes and rivers, as well as being so easy to transport when we travel around either in our car, or in the garage area of our converted sprinter campervan.
I’ve been really impressed with the ease of use and quality that this SUP has to offer.”
Standupandpaddleboard 4.6/5 “the Bluefin range certainly stacks up well relative to its competitors particularly within the mid to higher tier inflatables. As an all-inclusive product with relatively good accessories, I give it a 4.6 out of 5.
As always we would welcome your feedback so please feel free to leave your comments below and we will get back to you.”
Questions Commonly asked of the Bluefin Cruise 12’
Bluefin Paddle Board Comparisons
Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10'8"
Advanced All-Around SUP-
10'8" x 32" x 6"
-
35 pounds
Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12'
Advanced All-Around SUP-
12' x 32" x 6"
-
38 pounds
Our Conclusion
The Bluefin Cruie 12 is a multi-purpose inflatable boat that can be used by almost anyone who wants to take on a fishing trip, go boating, or go out in the water. The boat is made of high-quality material and can last for a few years if it’s properly taken care of.
Inflatable boats are great for people who don’t have a lot of room to store things or just want something that they can put into their car and take with them wherever they go. The Bluefin Cruie 12’ inflatable boat has been designed for exactly this purpose. It comes with everything you need to get started, including all of the accessories, so you don’t have to worry about anything missing when you get there.
