Paddle Board Holders for Boats: A Buyers Guide

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Want to take your paddle board on your boat but aren’t sure how to store it while you travel to your SUP spot? You need a paddle board holder for your boat. Boat racks are a great investment to make transporting your SUP or any board, for that matter, easier. I’m going to tell you about some of your options, my personal favorite, as well as some things to keep in mind. Let’s dive in, shall we?

Personal Favorite

You’ll see the full review below, but for me its the Magma SUP storage rack. This model is revered for a reason. Exceptional build with quality materials, able to hold two boards, and easy to install. What more could anybody ask for in a rack for your boat and paddle boards. It’s simply terrific how secure your boards will be in the long and short arms of the Magma.

Top Paddle Board Holders for Boats

Here are some of the best options for boat racks for paddle boards, surfboards, and other water-based boards!

SurfStow 50053 SUPRAX

Dimensions ‎26 x 11 x 4 inches
Weight 12 Pounds
Type Pontoon Mount
Material Aluminum
Holds 1 board

SurfStow 50053 SUPRAX>>Check price on Amazon

The SurfStow 50053 SUPRAX is perfect for your standard pontoon boats. This company makes brilliant SUP racks, and this model is no exception! The rack is constructed with anodized aluminum alloy. It’s got protective padding made of EVA foam with every aspect of the product made with heavy-duty, quality materials.

While it’s only got room for one paddle board, SUP users will be happy to know it’s nearly universal in what kinds of boards it can handle. It’s a very easy-to-install rack that takes roughly 5 minutes, thanks to clear instructions and everything included making it possible.

Pros:

  • Exceptional quality
  • Heavy-duty
  • Great design

Cons:

  • Rubber can come loose, so keep an eye out

Krypt Towers SUP Rack

Dimensions ‎26 x 11 x 4 inches
Weight 12 Pounds
Type Rail Mounted
Material Aluminum
Holds 1 board

Krypt Towers SUP Rack>>Check price on Amazon

While simple in design, the Krypt Towers SUP rack is made with aircraft-grade aluminum. It doesn’t matter what kind of water you’re planning on exposing this bad boy to out on open waters. It’s ready for the challenge, be it fresh or saltwater. EVA foam is used for the padding and lining of this SUP rack, and it even has a marine-grade strap. Included in the product are two clamps, the attached strap, and some mounting hardware.

The Krypt Towers SUP rack works on any rail configuration and is designed primarily for round tubing clamp sizes of 0.875”, 1”, and 1.25”. What makes it perfect for horizontal and vertical stanchions is the clamps 360-degree swivel. Overall this is an exceptional product made with durable materials and capable of holding two boards comfortably.

Pros:

  • Doesn’t corrode
  • Very versatile
  • Super sturdy

Cons:

  • For round tubing exclusively

Magma SUP Storage Rack

Dimensions ‎‎‎17.46 x 3.66 x 26.88 inches
Weight 8.8 Pounds
Type Rail Mounted
Material Stainless Steel
Holds 2 boards

Magma SUP Storage Rack

>>Check price on Amazon

Magma has by far one of the most popular SUP racks on the market. It’s easy to see why considering this product’s brilliant features, construction, and design. The Magma is built with mirror-polished premium stainless steel as its primary material. It’s able to hold immense weight, even that of a kayak!

The arms of this rack are different, with the more extended arm measuring 26-inches and the shorter arm measuring 11-inches. Everything needed to get this rack installed on your boat is included, so you’ll find it really easy to get the ball moving and the boat out on the water, SUP safely secure, and ready to go!

Pros:

  • High-quality
  • Foldable
  • Easy to install and adjust

Cons:

  • The older the model, the worse it is on the foam

SurfStow Transport SUPRax

Dimensions ‎26 x 11 x 4 inches
Weight 10.74 pounds
Type Rail Mounted
Material Aluminum
Holds 1 board

SurfStow Transport SUPRax>>Check price on Amazon

SurfStow is a respected brand when it comes to SUP products like boat racks. Their Transport SUPRax 50050-2 is a great example of their winning craftsmanship. It’s a simple design, but it does the job effectively. Constructed using a corrosion-resistant anodized aluminum alloy, it’s built to last in salt or freshwater use. It’s also equipped with heavy-duty EVA protective foam and shock boards.

Most SUPs can make use of the SUPRax from SurfStow, but only one can use it at a time, which is unfortunate. This package includes 4 articulating clamps, inserts, and all the tools and hardware necessary for installation, which is straightforward. If you intend on using the rack on an angled stanchion, then there’s a rotating clip calling for you!

Pros:

  • The usual exceptional quality
  • Padded, which offers SUP protection
  • Easy to install

Cons:

  • Similar rubber issues like with the other SurfStow models.

Buyers Guide

Here are some things you need to know about paddle board holders for boats.

Types

There are four types of paddle board racks:

  1. Ceilings
  2. Walls
  3. Cars
  4. Boats

Each is designed to properly and securely store your paddle boards when necessary. It’s important to understand that there are multiple types of paddle board racks, so you don’t accidentally purchase the wrong kind, thinking it’s for your desired purpose, such as transporting a paddle board on a boat.

Dimensions

Before even looking for a paddle board boat rack, I suggest measuring your paddle board. Boat racks don’t just automatically hold every single board. They’re not universal. Some have limitations, and some don’t, but if you don’t know your paddle board’s size, you’ll never know if you meet or exceed those limitations.

Capacity

If you’re looking to consistently transport more than one SUP, you’ll need to factor that into your decision-making process. Some board boat racks are designed to handle a single board, while some can hold two or more boards. The default should be for two boards, even if you’re only planning on carting one board around. You want to be prepared in the event you have another paddle boarder with you in need of some assistance. It also cuts down on the inevitable need to upgrade to a double rack when you could have done that from the start.

Materials

You’re going to be in the great outdoors, and in some cases on the ocean waters, breaking waves and taking names. You need a SUP boat holder that can handle these elements effectively. Look for boat racks that are corrosion-resistant. These are materials like stainless, galvanized steel, or aluminum. These are great options as they take a considerable amount of time to rust and are very durable. For the ocean, the best way to go is steel, as aluminum isn’t as resistant to corrosion as steel is, and it requires far more maintenance.

Cost

This is a tricky aspect of purchasing a boat paddle board holder. If you’re not in a position to buy a quality boat SUP rack, don’t buy one at all. Straight up, just don’t do it. You’ll be wasting your money, and endangering your board, by purchasing a product that will show its low price tag within a far shorter time than if you’d just waited and spent the money properly.

Square Clamps or Mounts

Depending on what kind of boat you have, you might either need rounded or square clamps. For example, take a pontoon boat. Due to their railings being square, you’re going to need clamps that feature a square configuration in order to attach the rack to the boat properly.

If the boat instead has rounded rails, then you’ll need clamps that are rounded. Before purchasing any rack, make sure to inspect your boat or the boat that your rack will primarily be attached to in order to ensure it’s going to actually attach and stay attached.

Conclusion

There you have it, everything you need to know about paddle board holders for boats! If you’re lucky enough to own a boat, then you want to make sure you treat both your boat and SUP with the respect they deserve. Having a boat rack for your board clears up the deck by having your boards out of the way. They also ensure your boat and board don’t suffer any accidental damage when you’re on your way to the perfect paddle boarding spot. So if you or your friends and family have a boat and some SUPs or other water-based boards, invest in a quality rack to make your lives easier.

Jonathan

Paddleboarding has been one of the few activities that's allowed me to take a mental break from life and just be in the moment. Whether you're looking for an outlet, a method for physical fitness, or even just a way to meet new people, paddle boarding can put you on a path to achieving all these goals. Every article I post on this site is made with the intention to spread sup love and get more people to stand up and paddle!


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