Reviews You Can Rely On

Sun Dolphin Seaquest 10 Review

If you are searching for a soild SUP on a skinny budget, then this board is a good choice
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Sun Dolphin Seaquest 10 Review
Credit: Amazon
Price:  $437 List
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Manufacturer:   Sun Dolphin
By Marissa Fox ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Sep 7, 2022
52
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Glide Performance - 35% 2.0
  • Stability - 25% 10.0
  • Maneuverability - 15% 5.0
  • Ease of Transport - 15% 2.0
  • Durability - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

While the Seaquest 10 is far from the best paddle board in terms of performance, it sets itself apart with its extraordinarily durable construction and reasonable price point. This board doesn't offer great glide performance and can get a bit finicky in rougher waters, but it is exceptionally stable. It's more akin to an actual boat, like a canoe or kayak than a stand-up paddleboard. Its plastic construction doesn't require the same delicate handling that fiberglass boards do in transport — handy, as it is quite difficult to be gentle when hauling around this approximately 50-pound behemoth of a board. Overall, this board retails at a fraction of the cost of the top models and generally won't disappoint, provided you aren't planning on doing long paddling tours.
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Durable
Stable
REASONS TO AVOID
Mediocre glide performance
Extremely slow in choppy water

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Sun Dolphin Seaquest 10 did finish towards the back of our test group, but with a price tag of less than half of most of our test boards, it represents a tremendous value for beginner paddlers. Our testers almost never fell off the Sun Dolphin and appreciated its stability and durability.

Performance Comparison


sun dolphin seaquest 10 - the seaquest 10 is an excellent value and is a great choice if you...
The Seaquest 10 is an excellent value and is a great choice if you are shopping for a SUP on a skinnier budget.
Credit: Chris McNamara

Glide Performance


For this metric, we conducted two different tests, assessing how efficiently you could paddle each board in both ideal and windy conditions, scoring each SUP on the distance traveled per stroke and the average cruising speed of each board. Unfortunately, the Seaquest 10 got off to a bit of a rocky start with some overall poor glide performance compared to the higher-end boards.

sun dolphin seaquest 10 - while the sun dolphin is very stable, it is also very slow, with...
While the Sun Dolphin is very stable, it is also very slow, with some of the worst glide performance we have seen from a rigid SUP.
Credit: Chris McNamara

Due to its boat-like nature — calling it a kayak in disguise wouldn't be a stretch — the Seaquest 10 is not fast compared to the sleeker SUPs tested. It has a much broader cross-section than many of the other boards, resulting in significantly more drag when paddling. It feels like you have to displace tons more water to move forward, and it covers much less distance per paddle stroke. There would be no contest in a race between this board and a more touring-centric board. Someone could be leisurely paddling a touring board, and you would have almost zero chance of overtaking them in the Seaquest, no matter how hard you tried.

The Seaquest also struggled a bit more than some of the other boards to hold speed in rougher waters. Its cruising speed and distance per paddle stroke both fell off as the waves increased. Additionally, there is a molded seam around the perimeter of the board that appears to catch a substantial bit of water from each wave, further inhibiting its already lackluster glide performance.

Stability


The Seaquest 10 dramatically improved its performance on our second metric, earning an impressive score in our stability metric. We scored each board on its ability to transport cargo or multiple passengers, its handling in rough water conditions, and how comfortable novice users felt on the board. The Sun Dolphin did very well in all of these tests, putting it right at the top of the entire armada.

sun dolphin seaquest 10 - this board is exceptionally stable, making it a great options for...
This board is exceptionally stable, making it a great options for beginners or for families.
Credit: Chris McNamara

This stand up paddle board made it a breeze to paddle in windy or rough conditions. Our testers never fell off this board inadvertently, except for one tester who crashed straight into a willow when she was looking at her phone to send a Snapchat. (Luckily, newer phones are quite water-resistant.) This board also has a convenient dry storage well, though we wouldn't necessarily trust it with sensitive electronics or other items that can't get wet.

sun dolphin seaquest 10 - the hatch is a convenient place to store small items, but we...
The hatch is a convenient place to store small items, but we wouldn't necessarily count on it keeping your belongings totally dry.
Credit: Chris McNamara

This SUP is also quite stable when paddling with additional loads. Its glide performance is already so poor that it can't get much worse. So you don't notice any extra resistance when paddling with a bag or cooler on the back. Luckily there are plenty of convenient storage points and straps to secure your gear, as well as a built-in cup holder.

sun dolphin seaquest 10 - we did like the idea of the cupholder and used it frequently, but it...
We did like the idea of the cupholder and used it frequently, but it does tend to fill up with water.
Credit: Chris McNamara

It would also do well at carrying a small child or dog, though it is a bit on the short side for multiple adult paddlers.

sun dolphin seaquest 10 - the seaquest 10 is extremely stable, even when transporting cargo.
The Seaquest 10 is extremely stable, even when transporting cargo.
Credit: Chris McNamara

These traits combine to make this board one of our favorites for beginners, even those who have never been paddling before. It's relatively easy to step on and off the Sun Dolphin from the bank or shallows, and its unshakeable stability will soon inspire confidence in even the most hesitant newcomers.

Maneuverability


Next, we moved on to assessing how agile and maneuverable each SUP is. We judged our general impressions of navigating around obstacles as we tested them out in local rivers and lakes. We also tested the turning radius. The Seaquest is about average.

sun dolphin seaquest 10 - the larger fin helps with stability, but it definitely cuts down on...
The larger fin helps with stability, but it definitely cuts down on this board's maneuverability.
Credit: Chris McNamara

Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by this board's maneuverability, expecting it to be much, much worse due to its hulking nature. It's a pretty big leap to call this board nimble, but we could usually avoid hitting obstacles without too much effort, though it might require a bit of frantic back-paddling. Its turning radius is quite large, but not unmanageable, with the Seaquest essentially feeling like it is about 1-2 feet longer than it is.

Ease of Transport


Moving on to evaluate the Sun Dolphin's performance out of the water, we graded the difficulty of moving this board around. We considered the weight of each board, the ergonomics of the handle, and the difficulty in loading it on a car when determining the scores. The Seaquest 10 did quite poorly. Its rating was mostly weighed down by its, well, weight.

sun dolphin seaquest 10 - the seaquest 10 is one of the heaviest boards we have tested, making...
The Seaquest 10 is one of the heaviest boards we have tested, making it a bit of a hassle to load in a car by yourself.
Credit: Chris McNamara

In our tests, this board weighed in at 46 pounds, making it one of the heaviest boards in the group by far. It has 20+ pounds over the lightest models.


Luckily, the molded handle in the middle of the board is pretty comfortable and works well. Moving the board short distances isn't too bad if you can get past the bulk. It also has a soft handle at the back of the board so you can carry it with two people. This is our preferred method.

sun dolphin seaquest 10 - the additional handle at the back of the board makes it much easier...
The additional handle at the back of the board makes it much easier to carry with two people.
Credit: Chris McNamara

The board's bulk also makes it harder to load up on roof racks, especially if the car is tall. Hefting it overhead for anything taller than a mid-size SUV usually requires two people. However, this board's construction means that you can be a bit more relaxed about padding your crossbars, which brings us to our final metric.

Durability


For the final metric, we judged how well each stand up paddle board held up to the rigors of our testing process. We looked at any damage sustained in the course of our testing or for common issues mentioned in user reviews when deciding on scores, as well as the included warranty. While the Sun Dolphin did sustain some damage in our tests, it was all cosmetic. This board is borderline indestructible.

sun dolphin seaquest 10 - the increased durability of plastic boards meant we could be a bit...
The increased durability of plastic boards meant we could be a bit more haphazard in the way we transported them.
Credit: Chris McNamara

We took this board on trips that we wouldn't dream of taking a fiberglass board, such as down a somewhat rocky and obstacle-filled river. We also weren't exactly gentle when moving this board, tossing it in and out of trucks and strapping it down stacked on top of other boards or kayaks. The most noticeable injury the board sustained is a dent close to the bow of the boat, caused by hitting a rock straight on at a moderate speed.

sun dolphin seaquest 10 - the sun dolphin only sustained cosmetic damage throughout our...
The Sun Dolphin only sustained cosmetic damage throughout our testing process.
Credit: Chris McNamara

This is cosmetic, aside from slightly weakening that area, which would only prove problematic if we hit that same spot again. However, some users have complained in reviews that the board would quickly fill up with water. The two-piece construction method for this board does leave this as a possibility, and there is a drain plug located at the back of the board to drain it, but we never had to.

Value


The Seaquest 10 is a great value, offering decent performance at an unbeatable price. It's not particularly amazing compared to the best boards we have seen, but you could buy an entire fleet of Sun Dolphins for about the same price. In addition, it comes with a paddle, albeit not a high-quality one.

Conclusion


If you are looking for a solid family board that won't break the bank and isn't going to get easily broken, then the Sun Dolphin is a clear choice. This beast of a board excels in rivers and we routinely use it for that purpose. Its almost bulletproof construction can handle impacts with most submerged objects and it is plenty stable for moving water. It's great for taking out on the lake or river without worrying about damaging it, provided you have a friend to help you move it. You should look elsewhere if you want a touring board, but otherwise, the Seaquest 10 is a stellar choice if you are shopping on a tight budget.

Marissa Fox