BLACKFIN Model V Review | 2020

A fast paddling, feature-rich inflatable touring SUP, the BLACKFIN Model V is the iSUP that many iROCKER fans were patiently waiting for…

Since their initial launch a few seasons ago, iROCKER’s premium BLACKFIN SUP boards have exploded in popularity due to their premium design and features, bombproof durability, and affordable pricing. While the first two BLACKFIN models were versatile all-around iSUPs, the latest addition to the lineup offers paddlers a sleeker, faster board that’s built for speed and performance.

In this no-holds-barred review of the new 2020 BLACKFIN Model V touring SUP, we’ll discuss this board’s features, build quality and construction, how it performs on the water, what we like and don’t like about it, specs, included accessories, optional add-ons, and warranty coverage.

Additionally, we’ll give you the inside scoop on some special promotions that are currently running which will save you some money and help you get the best deal on what will undoubtedly be a very popular board this season.

Last but not least, for those who prefer video, we’ve included our first look video which highlights the updates made to the board for 2020.

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— In a Hurry? Here’s a Quick Summary —

	Pros	Fast Good stability Tough Very rigid Excellent straight-line tracking Beautiful design 2 new color options (White and Steel Blue) 8 Action Mounts for GoPro cameras, fishing rod holders, etc. Stiff carbon fiber rail Three removable fins for easy packing, racking, and storage Convenient Flip-Lock toolless fin system Grab handles at nose and tail Dual bungee storage areas Removable safety handles at nose and tail for kiddos D-ring for towing Rails feature 6 D-rings for attaching accessories New fishing rack and sand spear/push pole mounts Comfortable Blackfin branded traction pad Upgraded full carbon fiber shaft paddle with lighter blade Full Throttle dual-chamber triple-action pump Premium wheeled roller backpack 2-year warranty (extended warranty now available) 60-day money-back guarantee Great customer support
	Cons	Neoprene carrying handle cover isn't removable
	Price & Where to Buy it

BLACKFIN Model V Review: SUP Overview

Measuring 12’6″ x 32″ x 6″ and weighing in at 30 pounds, the 2020 BLACKFIN Model V has a maximum weight capacity of 485 pounds, allowing you to bring along plenty of gear, a child or two, or your dog.

Perfect for paddling longer distances and going on multi-day SUP excursions, the Model V is built for serious explorers. This is a board that experienced paddlers will enjoy, but there’s still plenty of stability for newcomers and those times when you’re paddling around with small children or pets.

In terms of aesthetics, iROCKER stepped up their game over the past few seasons and the latest BLACKFIN designs are once again stunning. This board has an aggressive, racy appearance and both new color options look amazing in our opinion.

Features

The top deck of the BLACKFIN Model V is covered by a very nice EVA foam deck pad that features a stamped BLACKFIN logo traction pattern. This custom detail is the sort of thing that you typically see on much higher-priced boards and the deck pad is incredibly comfortable on the feet.

— Click on hotspots for additional details —

Front Cargo Storage

Rear Cargo Storage

Safety Handles

Carrying Handle

Front Grab Handle

Rear Grab Handle

Tail D-Ring

Side Rail D-Rings

Action Mounts

Traction Pad

Fishing Rack Mounts

Sand Spear/Push Pole Mounts

Located along both rails are 6 stainless steel D-rings which can be used for attaching the optional BLACKFIN kayak seat, shoulder carrying strap, or tying down additional gear. The front 4 D-rings are conveniently labeled “Kayak Seat Mounting Point” and “Shoulder Strap Mounting Point” which is a nice touch.

Also located at the rails of the Model V are Sand Spear/Push Pole mounts which can be used to anchor and control the board when fishing shallow waters.

Anglers will also be excited about the new fishing rack mounts located along the rear portion of the traction pad. This adds a lot of new versatility to the Model V as it gives you the ability to transform the board into a serious SUP fishing rig.

Mid-board is a comfortable neoprene covered carrying handle which makes it easy to carry the Model V around. We do wish that the handle’s cover was removable which would make it more comfortable to lay down on, but that’s a minor gripe.

At the board’s nose are 6 more D-ring attachment points and a large bungee storage area for stashing your dry bag, backpack, Crocs, and other belongings. iROCKER once again integrated child grab handles into the bungee storage area at the nose — these are wonderful for small children who enjoy riding along on the nose of the board and the handles removable for those paddlers who don’t find them useful.

Also integrated into the front bungee storage area are 2 Action Mounts for attaching GoPro cameras, fishing rod holders, a wireless Bluetooth speaker, and other accessories. There’s also a D-ring incorporated into the accessory mount for tying the board off to your boat or a dock.

Moving back to the tail of the Model V, you’ll find a second bungee storage area for securing even more bags and accessories. It’s been enlarged for 2020 and in addition to giving you the ability to bring along more gear, the rear bungee area also gives you an alternate spot to stash your dry bag or backpack when a passenger or pup is occupying the nose of the board.

Also integrated into the rear bungee cargo area is a second set of child safety handles which gives you the ability to bring along a total of two small passengers. These kids’ safety handles are fantastic and our 2- and 3-year-old children feel much more comfortable on the water when they have a comfortable and secure place to hold onto. Out of all the inflatable SUPs we’ve reviewed to date, iROCKER is currently the only company outfitting their boards with these…

Lastly, the tail of the Model V also features a durable D-ring for attaching the included ankle leash as well as a high-quality Halkey-Roberts air valve and rear grab handle. We use this rear grab handle the most when pulling the board in and out of the water as it allows you to elevate the fins and prevent damage caused by rough beaches and other hard objects.

Like the Model X and Model XL, both rails of the Model V are reinforced with a carbon fiber rail which adds rigidity and durability…

On the bottom of the Model V is a D-ring at the nose for towing or tethering and there are three removable fins at the tail. The large middle U.S. fin box has been swapped for a Flip-Lock fin this season for added convenience. We love the fact that iROCKER has gone with 3 removable fins as it allows you to roll the boards up into a smaller footprint for easier packing and storage. Also, having the ability to remove all three fins makes it a lot easier to stack boards on a roof rack.

Construction

Last year, the company decided to switch the BLACKFIN Model X, Model XL, and Model V over to a triple-layer composite PVC construction which dramatically reduced the weight of the boards without sacrificing durability. The construction of the Model V remains unchanged for 2020 although the actual weight of the board has gone up a few pounds this season due to the new features that have been added.

In terms of fit, finish, and hardware, everything is top-notch exactly as you’d expect on a premium board. From the accessory mount to the air valve, all of the hardware is very high-quality and the Model V has a “next level” feel to it.

Paddling Performance

On the water, the BLACKFIN Model V is an incredibly fun board to paddle. This SUP glides well, is very fast, and offers exceptional tracking performance.

We’re also really impressed with the overall stability provided by the Model V — while this board is more performance-oriented than the Model X and XL, the 32″ width still provides you with plenty of stability.

Likes and Dislikes

Once again, we’re extremely impressed with the Model V. The Model V fills a nice gap in the company’s popular lineup of inflatable paddle boards and it’s good to see that iROCKER is continuing to push the envelope in terms of features and upgrades.

The Model V comes loaded with premium features and this is a board that honestly lacks nothing. We love all of the onboard storage options provided and the removable front and rear child safety handles are ideal for families.

The large number of new Action Mounts that the company has added to all of the BLACKFIN inflatables for 2020 is also awesome. This gives you a variety of places to attach your GoPro cameras, making it easy to capture photos and video footage of your paddling adventures.

The new mounts are also good news for anglers as they allow you to quickly attach fishing rod holders to the deck of the board.

We’re also really impressed with the improvements made to this year’s SUP accessory bundle and we’ll take an in-depth look at everything that comes with the board shortly.

In terms of things we’d change about the board, we honestly can’t come up with much. This is an incredibly fun board that is affordable and loaded with great features — if you’ve been looking for a high-quality inflatable touring SUP that packs performance and premium features into an affordable price point, your search is over. The Model V is exactly that.

As far as improvements that could be made, we’d once again prefer a removable neoprene cover that would allow the handle to lay flat a little better, making it more comfortable to lay on. While this isn’t a board that was designed with SUP fitness workouts in mind, you can still pull it off and sometimes it’s also just nice to paddle out, lay back, and enjoy the scenery.[wp-review]

Specs

	Length	12'6"
	Width	32"
	Thickness	6"
	Weight	30 pounds
	Max Capacity	485 pounds
	Price

What’s Included

The BLACKFIN Model V comes with an extremely high-quality bundle of accessories. We love the fact that iROCKER bundles the board with everything that you need to get on the water (aside from a SUP life jacket or belt pack, of course).

Backpack

The included backpack is one of the nicest we’ve ever reviewed and comes with all of the features you’d expect with a premium inflatable SUP package.

The overall build quality of this backpack is excellent — the material, stitching, and hardware are all very nice and it’s a bag that’s designed to last.

On the front exterior of the bag is an oversized storage pouch with a zippered top that can be used to store the included pump and other accessories. There’s also a new bungee cargo net for stashing a jacket or towel.

The exterior of the bag also features compression straps for cinching up your gear once it’s packed and there are grab handles on the side, top, and bottom of the pack. The bag also features side mesh pockets and zippered storage pouches.

Located on the bottom of the bag are two oversized roller wheels with deeply grooved traction. The wheels roll nicely and it’s so much more convenient to pull the bag behind you instead of carrying everything on your shoulders.

The bottom of the bag is heavily reinforced with stiff plastic for durability and support, and the bag stands up nicely on its own. It’s also reinforced with a tough fabric material for improved durability.

At the top of the bag is a see-through luggage ID window and the back of the bag features a large storage pouch designed to hold the company’s new compact electric pump.

On the rear of the pack are two heavily padded shoulder straps, a well-padded back cushion covered with breathable mesh material, and a nicely padded adjustable waist belt.

As we already mentioned, this is a really well-designed pack. iROCKER even mounted the roller wheels on the back of the pack to prevent them from digging into your backside and to also eliminate strap dragging.

Paddle

The included 3-piece travel paddle is incredibly nice and has been upgraded this season with a full carbon shaft.

Another improvement for 2020 is the blade — the paddle now features a lighter streamlined blade designed to deliver better paddling performance

Lastly, the paddle is extremely quick and easy to assemble. Simply slide the shaft pieces together, line up the holes with the locking pin and collar, and snap into place. Once assembled, the shaft pieces are very secure and won’t twist or come apart on you.

Pump

The BLACKFIN SUP line was launched a few seasons ago with a new dual-chamber triple-action pump that made the inflation process much faster and easier. The Model V once again ships with the upgraded version of that pump which is lighter (weighing in at only 3.81 pounds vs. 5.34 pounds) and more efficient.

Located on the top of the pump is a convenient pressure gauge which tells you precisely how much air is in your board during the inflation process and there’s a port at the top where the included inflation hose screws on.

On the back of the pump is a handy “Action Control” dial which allows you to change the pump’s settings from “1” to “3”. When you first begin to inflate your board, you’ll want to set the dial to mode “1” — this will allow you to rapidly add air to your fully inflated board.

Once you begin to encounter significant resistance while pumping, switch the dial mode to “2” and continue. Lastly, flip the dial to mode “3” to finish inflating the board to 15 PSI.

Leash

The Model V comes with a durable coiled SUP leash. The leash has a well-padded ankle cuff that is covered by a soft neoprene material and there’s a hidden key storage pocket incorporated into the side of the cuff.

The leash has metal swivels at both ends to prevent it from getting tangled when you’re out on the water, and the multi-layer velcro closure on the opposite end is extremely secure.

Repair Kit

Also in the bag is an iSUP repair kit that is housed in a plastic container. Included in the repair kit is a valve wrench, color-coded PVC patches, and a few replacement lever locks for the Flip-Lock fins.

User Guide + Sticker Pack

Last but not least, iROCKER throws in a user manual, quick start guide, and BLACKFIN SUP sticker pack.

Optional Add-ons

iROCKER also has a growing range of BLACKFIN SUP accessories, and while these are not included with the Model V, we wanted to let you know about some of the optional add-ons that you can get for your board this season.

BLACKFIN Fishing Rack Kit

The most exciting addition to iROCKER’s accessory lineup for 2020 is the new Fishing Rack Kit. This quickly attaches to the mounts on the Model V, allowing you to transform the board into a serious SUP fishing rig.

Sand Spear/Push Pole Packages

Two other new items that’ll be popular with anglers this season are iROCKER’s Sand Spear and Push Pole packages. These accessories are great add-ons that make it easier to control and anchor the board in shallow water.

BLACKFIN Kayak Seat Bundle

The BLACKFIN Kayak Seat Kit is an accessory that really adds a lot of extra versatility to the Model V. It’s super quick and easy to install and once attached, gives you the ability to paddle your board in a seated position.

Included with the kit is a comfortable kayak seat, zippered storage pouch, and carbon fiber kayak blade attachment.

To attach the kayak seat to the Model V, simply clip the metal hooks to the front two D-rings along both rails and adjust the straps to your desired length. Next, slide the kayak blade attachment into the top of the included paddle and lock into place. In less than a minute, the BLACKFIN Model V has been transformed into a seated kayak.

Insulated SUP Deck Cooler

We really love the insulated BLACKFIN SUP cooler deck bag. This accessory is basically a soft-sided lunchbox that will keep your drinks and food cool while you’re out on the water and the versatile design allows you to use it for a whole lot more than just paddling.

Located along the top side of the bag is a convenient carrying handle which makes it easy to carry around and the bottom of the bag features an elastic bungee cord and plastic mounting hooks for easy attachment to the deck of your board.

On the top of the bag is a zippered storage pocket for stashing small accessories and the interior of the bag features a fully insulated liner to keep things nice and cool.

Shoulder Carrying Strap

Carrying around gear is one of the least enjoyable parts of paddling, and the BLACKFIN Shoulder Strap makes this unpleasant reality a lot more bearable.

This handy little accessory weighs next to nothing and conveniently stashes away in your bag until you need it. It attaches in just a few seconds to the D-rings along the Model V’s rail and will allow you to carry the board over your shoulder.

In addition to making the board easier to carry, the carrying strap also frees up a hand for carrying other gear which means you won’t have to take as many trips back and forth.

The strap is fully adjustable and there are 4 D-rings sewn into the top of it for attaching small accessories. We also like the fact that the entire underside of the strap is lined with a grippy rubber material that prevents it from slipping off of your shoulder.

iROCKER Electric Paddle Board Pump

While iROCKER’s new Full Throttle Pump does a nice job of inflating the Model V, there’s nothing better than the additional convenience offered by an electric iSUP pump.

Featuring a compact and lightweight design, the new iROCKER’s electric SUP pump can be plugged directly into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter adapter or connected directly to the battery with the included alligator clips. There’s an auto-shutoff safety feature to prevent over inflation and the easy-to-read digital display gives you a precise, real-time reading of the board’s PSI level.

BLACKFIN Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker (by Speaqua)

The BLACKFIN Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker is super versatile and comes in two colors (Black and Tidal Blue). It’s waterproof, sand/dustproof, submersible, and even floats.

There’s a removable suction cup on the bottom of the speaker as well as a threaded insert that allows you to securely screw it to the Action Mount at the Model V’s nose.

Despite the small form factor, this little speaker produces a surprisingly rich sound and is incredibly fun to bring along on your paddling adventures. It addition to being able to use it with your phone, it also packs 4GB of built-in memory and can store up to 1,000 of your favorite songs — perfect for those times when you’d rather leave your phone at home.

The built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 5 hours of tunes and there’s a speakerphone/microphone with caller-ID function. Lastly, the speaker supports dual-pairing which means that you can wirelessly connect and sync two speakers together while out on the water with your friends.

Action Mount

If you’ve got a SUP without an action mount or simply want to attach more accessories to your BLACKFIN Model V, you can now purchase additional Action Mounts and secure them to the deck of your board.

Waterproof Phone Case

iROCKER also has a waterproof cell phone case in their accessory range again this season. Capable of holding phones up to 6.5″ x 3.5″ in size, this case comes with a handy lanyard and even floats with many smaller phones (just blow a little air into it before sealing it up).

Cell Phone Holder

If iROCKER’s waterproof phone case is up your alley, you’ll also want to check out their cell phone holder. Fully compatible with iROCKER’s new Action Mount, this holder quickly attaches to the nose of the Model V, keeping your phone accessible at all times while you’re paddling.

Fishing Rod Holder

Lastly, iROCKER’s fishing rod holder screws securely onto the new action mount at the nose of the Model V and gives you a convenient place to hold your fishing rod while you’re out on the water.

Warranty

All iROCKER SUP boards are covered by a rock-solid 2-year warranty that covers you in the event of a manufacturing defect. In addition to this warranty, iROCKER also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee for additional peace of mind and new for 2020, they’re offering an extended warranty that’ll extend your coverage to a full 3 years.

Where to Buy it

You can purchase the 2020 BLACKFIN Model V directly from iROCKER through their secure online store. In addition to offering great customer service, FREE expedited shipping, and flexible financing options

For paddlers who live outside of the U.S., you’ll be happy to know that iROCKER’s SUPs are available worldwide. Just click the link above to be automatically redirected to the online store for your country.

Currently, iROCKER’s inflatable paddle boards are available in:

• The United States
• Canada
• UK
• Europe
• Australia
• …and more

iROCKER Sales & Discounts

iROCKER regularly offers limited-time promotions featuring discounts on select paddle boards and accessories. These vary by region and change frequently; check out the latest iROCKER promos below. For all the best deals from iROCKER and other top SUP brands visit and bookmark our SUP sales and discounts page.

BLACKFIN Model V FAQ

Final Thoughts

As good as last year’s BLACKFIN SUPs were, things have only gotten better for 2020 with all the new features and improved accessory bundle. If you were sold last season on the premium features and affordable price point of these boards but prefer a faster touring SUP over a versatile all-arounder, you’ll absolutely love the new Model V. This is an incredibly fun touring SUP that brings more to the table than many iSUPs costing twice as much — it’s a great value and a board that definitely won’t disappoint.