Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116 Review | 2024

While the Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116 may be the smallest board in the NeedleNose lineup, it ranks high on fun factor. New for 2016 is a super cool diamond pattern EVA foam deck pad, built-in PaddlePocket holder, and a lower profile slide in skeg.

Sea Eagle’s growing line of impressive inflatable SUP boards continues to build on the company’s longstanding reputation for delivering great products at affordable prices. Sea Eagle has been in the inflatable watercraft business since the 1960’s, and the family owned company places a high importance on customer satisfaction.

In this Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116 review, we’re going to cover all of this SUP board’s best features, the materials and construction, the specs, the different package configurations for sale, and more.

In a Hurry? Here’s a Quick Summary…

	Pros	Save Outstanding build quality Save Good paddling performance Save Excellent straight line tracking Save Super durable Save Fast Save Industry-best 3 year warranty Save 180 day risk-free trial Save Wonderful customer support
	Cons	Save SUP is slightly bulky when deflated due to nose
	Price & Where to Buy it	Save

Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116 SUP Overview

One of our favorite features of this board is the unique razor sharp nose profile. You can effortlessly cut through wind and chop with the Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116, and the board tracks wonderfully. A lot of inflatable SUP companies advertise that their boards are capable of performing like a hard paddle board, but Sea Eagle really delivers.

This SUP also features a beautiful curved touring shape and is very lightweight. It’s a joy to paddle, and you’ll find that you can paddle faster and longer thanks to the board’s well-thought out design. The straight-line no upturn hull allows you to tailor the board’s performance based on your individual skill level…

Want maximum stability? That would be position #1, the best place for beginners to paddle from.

Want to go faster? Stepping forward on the Sea Eagle NN116 to position #2 or #3 lowers the bow, increases the overall planing surface, and increases the board’s speed. This also improves tracking and paddling efficiency.

As mentioned, this is the smallest of the three boards in Sea Eagle’s NeedleNose lineup. The NN116 is best for paddlers who weigh less than 200 pounds. Larger individuals are better off with either the NeedleNose 126 or the NN14.

In addition to being a great performing SUP board, the Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116 is also tough as nails. Sea Eagle uses an ultra-durable 1100 Decitex reinforced drop stitch material on the NN116. This means that there are thousands of tiny threads connecting the top and bottom fabric layers of the board, literally creating thousands of tough I-beam supports. As a result, this is an extremely rigid SUP board that still maintains its light weight.

At the rear of the board is a large D-ring attachment for your SUP leash, and the new EVA foam kick tail gives you added confidence and grip when maneuvering. There are also D-rings on the center of the board for attaching a kayak seat, and the elastic bungee cord at the board’s nose keeps your stuff nice and secure. The nose of the board also features a second grab handle, the first of which is located at the center of the board.

Last but not least, the NeedleNose 116 features the popular 2+1 fin setup with two side skegs and a single large removable center skeg.

Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116 Review: Specs

	BOARD LENGTH	11'6"
	BOARD WIDTH	30"
	BOARD THICKNESS	6"
	BOARD WEIGHT	24 lbs
	CAPACITY	200 lbs

What Comes With it?

The basic Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116 package (known as the “Start Up” package) comes with everything you need to get paddling. In addition the NN116 board, you get a backpack, adjustable fiberglass SUP paddle, pump, and repair kit. We really love the fact that everything you need to get out on the water is right there in the box.

Of course, you’ll also be covered by the best SUP warranty on the planet. Sea Eagle guarantees their boards for a full 3 years against manufacturer defects, and they also throw in a 180 day risk-free trial period. Needless to say, Sea Eagle stands behind their boards 100%.

Optional Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116 Configurations

At the moment, there are five different Sea Eagle NN116 configurations to choose from:

1. Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116 Start Up Package — Includes a backpack, adjustable fiberglass SUP paddle, hand pump, and repair kit
2. Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116 Deluxe Package — Includes a backpack, SUP paddle, 7’10” AB30 paddle, deluxe inflatable kayak seat, hand pump, repair kit, and hand pump hose BV adapter
3. Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116 Electric Pump Package — Includes a backpack, carbon fiber SUP paddle, BP12 single stage pump, hand piston pump, and repair kit
4. Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116 Swivel Seat Fishing Rig Package — Includes a backpack, swivel seat fishing rig, SUP paddle, 7’10” AB30 paddle, hand pump, and repair kit
5. Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116 QuikRow Package — Includes a backpack, QuikRow kit, SUP paddle, two Scotty Rod holders, hand pump, QuikRow footrest, and repair kit

For more details and the lowest price on each of these packages, click here.

FAQ

Does the board require any type of special maintenance?
Not at all! Actually, the only thing you really need to do is rinse the board off with fresh water after each use and then dry it before you roll it up.

Will I damage the board if I bring my dog on it?
Sea Eagle used a super durable PVC outer skin on the NN116, so you don’t have to worry about your dog’s nails damaging the board. We would recommend that you keep your dog’s nails trimmed, however. Also, remember that it’s best to use a dog life jacket whenever you bring your pup along.

Is the Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116 a good board for a beginner?
Absolutely! The NN116 is extremely versatile, and it’s a great board for both beginners and experienced paddlers.

Where should I store the board when it’s not in use?
The best place for you to stash the NeedleNose 116 is probably under your bed or in a closet. If you’re going to be storing it in the garage or an outdoor storage shed, we recommend that you throw it in a sealable plastic tub to keep critters away.

Is it difficult to pump up the NN116?
Not at all. It takes just a few minutes to inflate the NeedleNose 116 with the included hand pump. If you would rather not mess around with manually pumping up the NN116, the Bravo BP12 pump is very affordable and highly recommended.

Final Thoughts

We absolutely love the Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116 and think it’s a wonderful all-around board. It’s stable, fast, and tracks like a dream.

We also love the new electric pattern track pad and the fact that everything you need to get started is right in the box.

While the NN116 is great for beginners, there’s also a lot to love for more advanced paddlers. This is a board that really has the ability to grow with you as your confidence and paddling skills increase.

Click Here to Learn More about the Sea Eagle NeedleNose 116