Atoll 11' Review

The design of the Atoll 11 balances all-around glide performance, stability, and maneuverability in a middle-of-the-road size, shape, and weight. The gradually tapered and rockered nose and squared tail make it a versatile option ideal for most paddlers in most conditions. The materials, construction quality, and included accessories are of a noticeably higher quality than the bargain-priced boards that we've reviewed, yet its price tag is still much less than the highest-end models.

Performance Comparison

Stability

The Atoll 11 is 32 inches wide, 11 feet long, 6 inches thick, and weighs 21 pounds. This is a pretty average shape and size that is ideal for general all-around paddling. This board doesn't necessarily excel in any one area, but it also doesn't have any major weaknesses. The 32-inch waist gently tapers to a pointed nose, providing enough width along most of the board's length to maintain comfortable stability for most paddlers in typical paddling conditions.

The Atoll has a three-fin setup featuring two smaller side fins permanently attached to the board and a larger center fin that is removable utilizing an included hand-tightening screw. This setup provides stability in choppier water with glide performance and straight tracking in calmer waters. While it gives a sense of security, the screw attachment system adds the risk of losing parts. Be sure to keep it safe at all times. The board's overall width and rigidity are good enough to give intermediate paddlers confidence and don't sacrifice performance for more experienced users.

Glide Performance

The 32-inch width of the Atoll provides a gentle taper to the pointed nose of the 11-foot board, with much less of a rockered shape than many other models in our lineup. This design helps the front of the board slice through the water, enhancing its overall glide performance. Other boards with a more aggressive nose rocker (where the front end curves up out of the water more dramatically) tend to plane above the water surface rather than cut through it, sacrificing some glide performance for better stability and maneuverability. The Atoll's pointed nose helps it cut through the water, while its generous width and gentle sidecut angle help maintain overall stability, providing balanced performance between the two metrics.

The classic three-fin setup with two smaller fixed side fins and a larger removable center fin creates a balance of speed and stability. The large center fin helps the boat track in a straight line, while the two smaller fins provide extra stability without too much extra weight or drag to slow it down. The fin can be adjusted forward or backward in the slot to affect performance. Overall, this fairly rigid board glides efficiently without too much bending, flexing, or wobbling, which can absorb your paddling energy and rob you of your power and performance. The usual difference between higher-end boards and less-expensive boards is the material quality and construction that either enhance or compromise a board's overall rigidity. The Atoll does a nice job of balancing build quality and performance with a reasonable price tag.

One additional feature that improves the paddling performance of the Atoll is the high-quality paddle included in the package. While most paddles included with inflatable SUPs are heavy aluminum or composite materials, the Atoll paddle has a high-quality carbon fiber shaft and stiff nylon blade. This is one of the best stock paddles that we've seen included in a SUP board package. While it doesn't quite have the high-end performance of the top-rated SUP paddles from our testing, it easily outperforms most other paddles included in this lineup.

Maneuverability

The Atoll 11 performs similarly to other 11-foot-long boards in regards to maneuverability. Its gradual sidecut and limited nose rocker keep it in the water, which increases drag. While this board is plenty maneuverable for most paddlers in most situations, it's not as nimble as those with more aggressive sidecuts or with more rockered noses. That said, the board's overall shape makes it a bit more nimble in waves than those with a round nose and squared-off tail.

The Atoll has a 32-inch waist and a gentle sidecut/taper, meaning the board stays relatively wide along its 11-foot length before tapering off to the pointed nose and rounded tail. This design helps keep the board more stable and helps it glide and track in a straight line more efficiently, but it can make it harder to turn and maneuver. The gentle nose rocker helps the board's pointed nose slice through the water but also makes it more difficult to turn and maneuver compared to other designs where the front tip of the board is more dramatically raised up above the water. Overall, the Atoll's maneuverability is similar to others of its size and shape. The overall lightweight design helps make it easier to control.

Ease of Use

This board weighs 21 pounds, placing it in with the lighter boards in our lineup. It's made of machine-laminated dual-layer PVC, the most robust and lightweight material available. The padded center grab handle makes it convenient for one person to carry the board, and the additional rear grab handle provides extra leverage when hauling the board into and out of the water. However, the lack of a front handle makes it difficult to pull the board from the front or carry it with a friend.

The Atoll is also quick and easy to deflate, roll up, and stow inside the included carrying pack. There is ample space to tuck away the board, pump, and accessories, with room left over for some personal items. It has two cinch straps across each side and two on the front of the bag. There's one side handle and one on the back of the top. The straps have thick cushioning, and you can secure the bag using the chest and hip straps. Some additional grab handles on the bag would add quite a bit to overall convenience.

The Atoll 11 is quick to inflate thanks to its average size, volume, and pump. It took testers just 8 minutes to inflate it to 15 PSI. The included two-stage pump works as it should. A small screw-in plug can be added or removed from the pump's body, letting the user engage the pump on both the upstroke and downstroke for maximum volume or on only the downstroke for maximum pressure. This typical configuration is suitable to get a board of this size and shape up to the recommended pressure with the same effort as most other boards in our lineup.

Construction Quality

This board is constructed using machine-laminated dual-layer PVC with the intention of reducing weight. Drop stitch technology binds the core. The Atoll feels higher quality than other boards in the same price range. Completing the package is a durable fiberglass, carbon, and nylon paddle. This board can handle heavy use and multiple riders. The deck pad features a diamond-cut EVA that we've seen on many others. As with all inflatable boards, it's important to avoid rocks and sticks to reduce the risk of damage. However, the Atoll is a good choice if you want to have some fun paddling nearby rivers or creeks.

Should You Buy the Atoll 11?

With a reasonable middle-of-the-pack price tag and consistent high-end performance, the Atoll 11 is an average board with everything an intermediate paddler needs. Although some pricier models outperform it, the Atoll provides solid performance at a much lower price and stands out above other bargain-priced models. With a versatile, capable design, an impressively light, high-quality paddle, and an appropriate price tag, this board provides great value for users looking for increased paddling performance without breaking the bank.

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