If you have been in the market for a kayak or a paddleboard, you have a lot of options to choose from. Paddleboards are great for quick excursions out on the water, especially if you are planning to fish or spot marine life. However, kayaks are often more stable and comfortable, since they don’t require you to stand the entire time.
This guide will weigh the pros and cons of a third option — the hybrid model.
Introduction
You have heard of kayaks and paddleboards — but did you know that you can find a craft that converts from one to the other in just minutes, even while you are on the water? The Elkton Outdoors 12’ IBIS Pro Stand Up Fishing Paddleboard does just that. This model makes it easy to do whatever watersports you want. With included mounting racks for fishing rods, photography gear, and the included paddles, this is truly a versatile, high-performing watercraft.
Features of the IBIS Pro Fishing Paddleboard
The Elkton paddle board has a huge number of features. But there are a few that stand out. Here are the main features of the Elkton that you should know about before buying:
- Durable construction
- Stable and balanced
- Comfortable
- Ample storage
- Hybrid construction lets you convert from a paddleboard to a kayak in minutes
- Extra features for security
Durability
The Elkton IBIS Pro fishing paddleboard is made from high-density rotomolded polyethylene, which means it is super durable. Essentially, this craft can handle all the conditions of the water, no matter what your plans are. At 72 lbs, it supports up to 475 lbs, making it perfect for two people.
The paddleboard has a rotationally molded exterior shell that provides ultimate toughness around a PU foam interior. This expertly combines excellent flotation and stability with the kind of durability you need out on the water.
Stability
If you are a paddleboard aficionado, you have probably taken an unintended dive at some point. The Elkton makes it easy to stay upright even while fishing. This is because of its unique construction to provide extra stability. It has a pressure-injected solid no-flex deck reinforced with a textured EVA traction pad. Bottom line: it is easy to stay upright on this reinforced paddleboard, no matter what activities you’re doing.
Comfort
When you strike out on the water, you are probably planning to be out for a few hours at the minimum. The Elkton paddle board provides an ergonomic, comfortable cushion for your feet so that you can stay out on the water for as long as you want. There is no need to sacrifice comfort for your outdoor activities.
Storage
The Elkton paddle board comes with ample storage space, making it easy to make sure you have everything you need out on the water. With two large storage compartments in the front and the rear, the craft provides enough space for you to pack your fishing gear, photography equipment, or just food and water for the day. The compartments are sealed to ensure that your gear stays dry but also within easy reach.
Hybrid Construction
Forget shopping for a paddleboard and a kayak. The Elkton is both. Its special SUP hybrid construction makes it a breeze to transform from a paddleboard to a sit-on-top kayak in no time. All you have to do is mount the aluminum-framed seat to the D-rings located on top of the board. You can even do this while you are out on the water, making it incredibly easy to stay comfortable while you navigate.
If you are not in the market for a kayak, there’s no worry — the Elkton aluminum-framed seat is purchased separately.
Extra Features
No kayak would be complete without a list of additional features. The Elkton comes with plenty of them. While these might seem, at first glance, like a simple “cherry on top”, you might find that they sway you toward buying the model. It just goes to show what great additional features can do.
What is so great about these extra features?
The paddleboard has two swivel mount active rod holders to let you secure fishing rods to the side. You can keep your hands free even while fishing. Then when it’s time to reel your catch in, it is easy to remove the rods from the holders. Additionally, the board has two bungee paddle parks so that you can secure your paddles while you do other activities.
Many users love using crafts like these to capture pictures. With that in mind, the Elkton comes with five integrated extruded aluminum gear tracks. This lets you secure photography equipment or whatever else you like. If you’re a photographer, you can mount your camera to this to capture great action shots. They are also perfect for mounting fishing gear or other equipment.
Another great feature is the four D-ring tie-down points located in the cockpit. These can be used to secure the kayak seat if you so choose. But they are also perfect for securing gear or objects like coolers.
Lastly, the Elkton comes with convenient carrying handles so that you and a friend can carry it to and from the water. Bear in mind that this craft is heavier than most kayaks, so you will probably need some additional support!
What Users Are Saying
User reviews for the Elkton IBIS Pro fishing paddleboard are mostly positive. Many users love the versatility of the craft, especially the hybrid feature. There are frequent mentions of how stable the craft is, even while you are moving around or going from standing to sitting down.
Many users also mention how heavy the board is. This is a boon in the water, where the weight provides additional stability and durability. But it can make things more complicated onshore, where users might struggle to transport it.
The consensus is that this is a hardcore, well-built paddleboard that can handle all the conditions you might encounter on the water.
Pros And Cons
As with any product, there are some pros and cons to the Elkton kayak. Here is what you should know before buying:
- Extremely durable
- Excellent stability in the water
- Lots of extra features
- Easily supports multiple people
- Kayak seat is purchased separately
- Much heavier than many kayak models
- Trackability may be poorer than some models
Conclusion
Our rating: 
4.3 / 5
If you are looking for a high-quality, durable paddleboard, the Elkton IBIS Pro is a great deal. Combined with its stability, storage capacity, and extra features, it could be an excellent choice for someone looking for a quality watercraft. On the other hand, it is very heavy and bulky, so that might sway your opinion if you are looking for something more lightweight. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if the Elkton suits your needs.