The Red Paddle Co 11’6 Ride is a new, large-size iSUP with incredible build quality and great performance.
Red Paddle Co 11’6 Ride MSL 800 iSUP Review – Overview
Red Paddle Co’s newest addition to their Ride series iSUPs is a bit of a departure from a design and features standpoint – and I’m loving it.
The new 11’6 Ride MSL 800 is designed to compete in the highly popular “large board” category here in the US. These boards are great for sharing, fishing, camping, and of course relaxing on the water thanks to their high stability shapes. Toss in and expanded feature set and Red’s renown for making some of the best inflatable paddle boards on the market, and this UK-based company might have a slam dunk, err…, home run, uhh… put one in the back of the net with the 11’6 Ride MSL 800.
— Red Paddle Co 11’6 Ride MSL 800 iSUP Review Summary and Ratings —
Red Paddle Co 11’6 Ride MSL 800 iSUP
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Construction & Durability
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Features and Versatility
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Stability
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Speed
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Maneuverability
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Tracking
Overall Score
The 11’6 Ride MSL 800 is a stable and versatile iSUP with an expanded feature set compare to Red’s other offerings.
Pros
- Red’s MSL Construction is time-tested as one of the best build qualities in the world
- New MSL 800 materials keep the 11’6 Ride lightweight without sacrificing performance or rigidity
- Extra-stable shape with a very wide tail and broad nose
- Easy to use cargo management system
- Kayak seat compatible (a first for Red!)
- Multiple threaded mounting points
- US fin box and 2 fixed fins
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Does not include a paddle with the standard kit, but you can bundle one with the board at checkout
- The 11’6 Ride has an expanded feature set for Red, but leaves a little to be desired if you want to use this board for fishing, the front cargo area is also limited by the D-ring placement.
Red Paddle Co 11’6 Ride MSL 800 Review – Construction and Durability
Red’s new MSL 800 construction makes the 11’6 Ride lightweight without losing out on rigidity or performance, all while being built under the same level of scrutiny that Red Paddle Co is famous for.
New MSL 800 materials and careful construction give the 11’6 Ride some of the best build quality available.
Often imitated, but never replicated, Red’s MSL (Monocoque Structural Laminate) construction has been a leader in the inflatable SUP industry for years. On its surface it is similar to standard Fusion construction, but according to Red there is some extra special sauce thrown in the mix that helps differentiate true MSL from imitators.
I don’t blame them for not telling us exactly what it is, but I am a little sad they won’t tell me.
Part of the new MSL 800 is a new cross-woven drop stitch core. The top and bottom of the board start with a layer of woven fabric as a lightweight and low-flex alternative to knitted fabric. Those two layers are connected by thousands of “drop-stitched” threads making an X-pattern if you were to look through the side of the board. By using the X-pattern instead of a traditional V-pattern, Red can use fewer threads for a lighter construction while still retaining board rigidity. The length of these threads also give the 11’6 Ride its very distinct 4.7” thickness profile.
The outer shell of the board is where Red’s special sauce really kicks in. They use a special method and set of materials to bind their reinforced PVC layer to the underlying fabric layer. They refer to this in some of their older marketing materials as a 1.5 layer construction.
The exact materials and thicknesses, deniers, and other specifications are unique to Red and all together create the MSL 800 material. It’s called MSL 800 because it is 800 grams/square meter lighter than their previous MSL material. A little confusing since most fabric materials use a number to indicate the total weight per unit, but it’s nice to see some reasoning behind the numbers!
The 11’6 Ride also has Red’s patented RSS Batten system.
Red does glue the rails seams of their iSUPS, and they’ll tell you that proudly and without any hint of concern. Their glue and construction standards are both custom and rigorous, and they have the track record to back it up. Red Paddle Co boards are one of the rare exceptions where I don’t view gluing the seams as a negative.
Another little oddity is that Red doesn’t print a recommended or maximum pressure rating on their boards, but does list it in their documentation – 22 PSI. And, again, their construction stands the test of time to use your board at 20-22 PSI without concern. For our testing, though, we do use a “house” maximum of 20 PSI.
Another bit of construction Red has included on the 11’6 Ride is their patented Rail Stiffening System (RSS) Battens. These plastic panels slide into PVC pockets on either side of the board before it is fully inflated to help improve rigidity.
I do not notice any flex in the 11’6 Ride when standing and paddling normally.
In our standardized bend test, we setup the 11’6 Ride at 20 PSI with the RSS Battens installed – most folks are going to use these anyway. The 11’6 Ride bent just 1.34” with 170 pounds of weight in the standing area.
That puts the 11’6 Ride square in the middle with its competitors in this size class and well above our total running average of 1.6”.
I should also mention that is with the 11’6 Ride being the thinnest of these “large” boards at just 4.7” (compared to 5.5” for the Honu Fairlight and 6” for the Thurso Max, Blackfin Model XL, Hydrus Joyride XL and others).
Red Paddle Co does claim that the RSS Battens add up to 40% more stiffness, though they don’t really say in comparison to what. In our testing we’ve found the Battens do add some rigidity, but it’s much closer to 10% compared to the same board without them. For a large board like the 11’6 Ride I don’t think these battens are totally necessary, but it does give it an extra oomph in rigidity.
Bouncing on the 11’6 Ride does produce a moderately high amount of flex, but not when paddling normally.
Out on the water, the 11’6 Ride continued to perform well. I didn’t notice any flex in the board while standing or paddling normally. I could feel a small amount when walking on the board – but only when I was looking for it, and there was a small amount of flex when paddling hard during speed testing.
Bouncing on the board does produce a moderately high amount of flex, but once you stop, the 11’6 Ride has a smooth and easy rebound.
I probably could have summarized this whole construction section into three words: real damn good. But I do think that does a bit of a disservice to how much time and effort Red puts into not just their construction design and process, but to each individual board as well.
Red Paddle Co 11’6 Ride MSL 800 iSUP Review – Specifications
Specifications
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 11’ 6” |
| Width | 34.25“ |
| Thickness | 4.7“ |
| Weight | |
| Max Capacity | 400 pounds |
| Board Weight | 24.1 pounds |
| Kit Weight (SUP & accessories) | 39 pounds |
| Buying Info | |
| List Price | $1299 |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Returns period | 30 days |
Red Paddle Co 11’6 Ride MSL 800 iSUP Review – Features, Accessories and Versatility
The 11’6 Ride MSL 800 offers an expanded feature set compared to Red’s other Ride series boards – including kayak seat compatibility.
The 11’6 Ride MSL 800 800 is 11’6” long, measures 34.25” wide, 4.7” thick, and weighs 24.1 pounds with the RSS Battens (but no fin). It does not have a specified maximum weight capacity, but in comparison with other boards this size and our own experience, we recommend a maximum total capacity of around 400 pounds.
Red does specify the 11’6 Ride to be 33” wide both on their website and on the printed board graphics. We reached out to our friends at SUPBoardGuide.com and confirmed with them that their copy of the 11’6” Ride was also a bit over 34” wide.
We are working with Red to determine whether we somehow received an odd version of the board or if the specification coming from their manufacturing facility is 34” and the graphics are incorrect. We will update this section when we find out (and potentially the entire review!)
However, we actually prefer that the 11’6 Ride be 34” wide. It is shaped and designed as a large, stable board, and reducing the width to 33” would really put it at a disadvantage compared to other boards in this class. So here’s hoping we’ll see a change on Red’s website soon!
The nose has a wide triangle shape to maximize stability and capacity while still allowing efficient paddling, especially in choppy and light swell conditions.
There is a threaded accessory mount integrated into the front carry handle – perfect for a GoPro to capture your adventures.
The front cargo area is made with three adjustable elastic bands rather than a bungee cord. The total length of the cargo area is quite large, but the narrow placement of the front four D-rings does limit the overall size of items you can stow or tie down here.
The closest cargo strap has an extra D-ring to create a spot for quickly and securely storing a water bottle.
The 11’6 Ride is the first board from Red designed with kayak seat compatibility thanks to four D-rings around the middle of the board.
The center carry handle is nicely padded and easy to use without getting in the way while paddling.
There is an additional threaded mount on the rear, left side of the deck pad for other accessory items like a fishing rod holder.
There deckpad is made with several different sections with different textures from Red’s classic logo-embossing to an embossed diamond texture near the tail for additional traction and foot position feedback.
The rear cargo area does not come with straps, but has four D-rings (plus one on the threaded mount) positioned wide on the board for tying down large dry bags, coolers, or other items.
The tail is extremely wide with a rounded diamond shape at the end to balance stability and capacity vs paddling efficiency.
Under the board, the 11’6 Ride has two permanent flex fins (5” long) and a US fin box. The fin box comes with a cardboard cover taped over it, and the tape leaves a rather long-lasting residue.
The Red Paddle Co 11’6 Ride MSL 800 800 comes with a nearly complete kit, but you’ll need to add a paddle and PFD.
Overall the 11’6 Ride offers a large feature set for the Ride series. There are a few bits we’d like to see included on the next iteration of this board, though. Expanding the front cargo area width to accommodate larger items, adding one more (and easier to reach) threaded mount at the front of the deck pad, and an anchor/towing D-ring under the nose would all be very welcome additions for this class of paddle board.
The 11’6 Ride comes with a great set of basic accessories:
- 11’6 Ride MSL 800 800 iSUP
- Red Paddle ATB Transformer wheeled backpack
- Coiled ankle leash
- 9” touring-style fin
- Red Paddle Titan II triple-action hand pump
- Waterproof phone case
- Basic repair kit
What is missing from the 11’6 Ride kit is a paddle. You can bundle one with your board when ordering from Red Paddle Co, but it does come at an additional cost. At the time of this writing the paddles are on backorder (expected mid June), but you can peruse our list of favorite SUP paddles to pair with the Ride 11’6 and get on the water right away.
Red Paddle Co 11’6 Ride MSL 800 iSUP Review – Stability
The 11’6 Ride is designed for stability, and it delivers.
The wide tail and parallel rails make the 11’6 Ride incredibly stable.
A hugely important factor for any new paddler, and especially larger paddlers, is board stability. If you plan to paddle with a partner, kid, pet, or loaded up for a fishing or camping trip (or a combination of the above) then stability becomes even more critical.
The 11’6 Ride is shaped to be as stable as you can get and still have good paddling efficiency. The 34” width carries through a huge section of the board thanks to the broad triangle nose and incredibly wide tail. How wide is wide? Just the tail of the 11’6 Ride is wider than my racing iSUP!
On the water this thing feels rock solid. There’s no noticeable flex when using the board normally, it doesn’t rock, twitch, roll, or otherwise feel unstable, even in choppy conditions from wind and boat wake.
Rocking side to side is smooth and walking around the board is easy and confidence inspiring.
I could easily hold the 11’6 Ride far onto its edge without much effort, and rocking it from side to side was smooth without any popping or catching sensations. I was even paddling the 11’6 Ride on one foot for quite a while with minimal difficulty.
Walking around on the board was incredibly easy, and the extra wide tail made lifting the nose for a pivot turn simple and secure.
Let’s not forget that the 11’6 Ride is also 4.7” thick. This lower profile helps decrease any paddler’s center of gravity for a more stable feel, and it gives the board a more connected feel to the water. Normally I don’t recommend 4.7” boards for paddlers over 200-220 pounds (depending on the board), but this is definitely the exception. Between the larger size, stable shape, and great rigidity from the new construction and RSS battens, this is definitely a 4.7” board for bigger paddlers.
Red Paddle Co 11’6 Ride MSL 800 iSUP Review – Speed
As a larger board, the 11’6 Ride has to make compromises somewhere, and in this case it is speed. But that doesn’t mean it paddles like a barge – quite the opposite!
The 11’6 Ride loses some top-end speed due to its width, but still paddles smoothly at a cruising pace.
If there’s one area where the Red 11’6 Ride didn’t surprise me on the water it is speed. Wider, over-stable boards just don’t paddle as fast as narrower, less-stable boards. It’s one of the tradeoffs that can’t be shaped around. But, the 11’6 Ride does still paddle pretty quickly and efficiently.
In our speed test, the 11’6 Ride held a sustained sprinting speed of 4.9 MPH while paddling at 75 strokes per minute. When going as hard as possible, I was able to get up to 5.3 MPH. Not incredibly fast for the amount of effort expended, but exactly in line with other boards of its size. There was a little bit of flex when paddling at a sprint, but not enough to cause the board to jump off course or feel bouncy.
At a casual cruising pace, the 11’6 Ride also matches other iSUPs in this group with an average speed of 3.6 MPH while paddling at 25 strokes per minute. Considering it’s just over 34” wide, that’s pretty good for a rather slow cadence. At that speed you can take a single paddle stroke and the 11’6 Ride will continue to move about 20 feet before you feel it begin to slow down, giving it a gliding ratio of 1.7 board-lengths per stroke.
When paddling around casually, or even with a bit of intent to get from one spot to another, the 11’6 Ride does quite well. It feels smooth on the water, and carries itself without flexing. If you are loaded up for a fishing or camping trip, that efficient paddling performance will keep you moving faster and with less effort so you still have energy to fish or set up your campsite when you get to your destination.
Red Paddle Co 11’6 Ride MSL 800 iSUP Review – Maneuverability and Tracking
With larger boards you often have high maneuverability and reduced tracking as it can be harder to use correct paddle technique. Red made an interesting choice with their fin system and flipped these performance profiles on their head.
When using all three fins it can be challenging to quickly turn the 11’6 Ride.
In our agility testing, we use a beginner-level paddle stroke (the forward sweep) to turn the board in a full circle from a standstill. The 11’6 Ride took just over 7.5 strokes on average to complete this task. That is a little more than our running average of all boards and on the slower end for large boards.
While already moving forward, getting the 11’6 Ride to turn a large amount was quite difficult – more on that after the tracking section below.
With reverse sweep strokes, the 11’6 Ride did quite well and needed just under 4 strokes to complete the same circle test. But what’s really great about the 11’6 Ride is the absolute ease of performing a pivot turn. That wide tail makes it very easy to step back, raise the nose, and turn on a dime whether you are standing still or under way.
The 11’6 Ride has great tracking performance for such a wide board.
Counter to maneuverability is tracking performance. Here the 11’6 Ride did excellent for its size and category. While paddling toward a distant target I was able to take 10 strokes on a single side and only deviate off course by about 12° after the 10th stroke. Normally I would expect to be off between 15-20° with a 34” wide board. That difference may not seem much here on your screen, but it is quite noticeable on the water.
The 11’6 Ride comes with two fixed 5” fins and a removable 9” touring style fin.
So why does the 11’6 Ride feel so hard to turn, especially when moving forward, but tracks so easily? The fins.
Red’s Ride series has traditionally had two fixed 5” “unbreakable” fins with a broad profile. The idea here is that you’ll never have to worry about losing or breaking a fin and the board is always ready to hit the water. One of the main ones is that these fins can get bent out of shape and require some serious effort with a heat gun to get them straightened out (just setting them in the sun is not enough). The solution there is to make the fins removable, but then that eliminates the simplicity design.
For the 11’6 Ride, Red also added a US (Universal Standard) fin box and includes a 9” touring style fin. This touring fin plus the two fixed fins is a lot of fin. This is a big board, but I feel that Red went a bit overboard here. You can remove the 9” touring fin and use just the side fins. It makes it much easier to turn, but also greatly reduces the tracking performance.
I do think Red should consider eliminating the side fins to really balance the feel of the 11’6 Ride’s maneuverability and tracking on the next redesign of this board.
Red Paddle Co 11’6 Ride MSL 800 iSUP Review – Warranty and Customer Support
Red Paddle Co offers a 5-year warranty against manufacturing defects for their inflatable paddle boards. However, you must register your board on Red’s website within 3 months of purchase to qualify for this warranty period. All other Red equipment is warrantied for 1 year. Red does offer a 30-day return period for new and unused equipment only, less a $15 restocking fee. You can contact Red customer service through their website chat, web form, email or phone.
Red Paddle Co 11’6 Ride MSL 800 iSUP Review – Final Thoughts
The 11’6 Ride is a high-quality and versatile large size paddle board.
Red Paddle Co is known for making some of the highest quality inflatable paddle boards on the market. That didn’t stop here. The 11’6 Ride MSL 800 800 is sleekly designed (but incredibly stable), with top-notch construction and excellent accessories.
This is a board designed to work best for larger paddlers, sharing with a passenger or pet, or loaded up with fishing or camping equipment. It feels great to paddle and offers some unique features and performance amongst Red’s paddle boards.
I do think the 11’6 Ride would greatly benefit from a few extra features on the board, especially for anglers, and I think that it is a bit “over-finned.” The biggest downside, though, is the price. At $1300 MSRP for the board kit without a paddle (and $1400-$1700 with one from Red) it is a big investment. From any other company I’d question this price tag. From Red, I can justify it if you are looking for a highly durable board with great performance that you’ll be spending a lot of time on. But, if that price is too steep for you, I’d encourage you to check out our list of Best iSUPs for Large Paddlers list for more options in this size range.
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