Pelican Flow 106 Review

The Pelican Flow 106 is one of the most affordable hardshell stand up paddle boards on the market, so we had to test it. The Pelican patented Ram-X material makes this board incredibly durable, but also adds weight — it tips the scales at 46 pounds, much heavier than the average hard SUP. This board would be a perfect option for beginners or folks seeking a board they don't have to worry about getting dents or dings in (think vacation homes or younger children). It has bottom grooves for improved tracking, giving it better glide than most beginner boards.

Performance Comparison

Glide Performance

How a board glides in a variety of conditions is one of the most important tests we put our SUPs through. We really tested the glide on these boards, taking them out in some intense wind and chop to see how they handled.

The bottom of this board has grooves for improved tracking. Even in wind and choppy water, we were able to get 3-4 strokes in on each side before having to move the paddle to the other side. We were able to keep up fairly well on this board with some of the speedier, lighter SUPs that we tested.

Stability

Here, we tested how each board handled carrying additional passengers or gear, as well as how it managed in rough waters. The Flow takes a little time to adjust to, but after a few minutes aboard, it feels decent underfoot. When we rocked our weight from one leg to the other on this board, we weren't able to lean too much for fear of coming off the board. Part of this seems to be from how soft the deck pad is. We tried riding with two people on board, but the SUP was almost totally underwater, so pushing it to its listed 230-pound weight limit isn't recommended.

When we went through waves it plowed through, making it easier to stay balanced but also soaking any gear strapped to the front, as well as our feet.

Maneuverability

For this metric, we see how long it takes to make a U-turn and how difficult it is to get it to turn. This board is no speed demon, but for how hefty it is, it turns pretty well. It took 6-7 strokes on a calm day for us to get it turned around. Leaning on one leg or another to help turn did not feel very feasible as the board felt likely to tip. The tail end of the board is made of softer plastic so you can't stand too far back to try and dip the tail to pivot because the plastic flexes inward. Overall very average for a SUP but better than we expected for a board of this density.

Ease of Transport

On-water tests are the most important when it comes to SUPs, but it's also important to note how easy these boards are to carry and load on and off a vehicle. The Pelican Flow 106 weighs 46 pounds, which is the heavier end of the spectrum of our test fleet. For its weight, it feels a little easier to carry than some of the other boards we tested. There are handles on the front and back and both sides of the board, which is very helpful. Still, it requires two people to lift it on and off of a vehicle for transport. One person might be capable of loading it, but we were concerned about damaging the car we were loading onto or cars parked near us.

The “handle” in the middle of the board is an incut (see the photo above). We felt it could be a bit deeper and/or grooved to help with carrying a board of this weight. It felt like it was easy to slip out of your grip while carrying. The handles along the sides, tip, and tail are only useful for holding the board flat and lifting it vertically. The handles are soft straps, so trying to carry the board with one arm using these handles means your fingers get smashed.

Construction Quality

The Pelican Flow 106 is made of hard plastic and is likely to hold up better than many of the other, more expensive boards. We had no concerns when bumping it on a rock or strapping it down very tight on a roof rack.

The fin is fairly flexible, perhaps more so than a board of this weight should have. It also requires a screwdriver to take on and off, which is not convenient in the least. We opted to leave it on for transports but then had to be cautious not to bend the fin when loading other boards.

The deck padding already has some dents from where we have stood for a long period. One concern we have is how the deck padding will hold up over use and time.

Should You Buy the Pelican Flow 106?

For those looking to buy an affordable and durable hardshell SUP, you may be hard-pressed to find a better option on the market. The Pelican Flow 106 is best suited for beginners but would make any intermediate paddler happy for an afternoon paddle. This board will stand the test of time, although we are not certain the deck padding will.

What Other Stand Up Paddle Boards Should You Consider?

If you're looking for a higher-quality hardshell that is also incredibly durable, check out the SIC TAO Maui FIT AT. Or if you want a board that is 20 pounds lighter and easier to transport solo, take a look at the Isle Cruiser 2. If ease of transport is your main concern, check out our inflatable SUP review.