This board is heavy and difficult to carry. Plus, it was the only model in the review that did not come with a pack. Although it had mediocre glide and stability, some testers loved it for its sharp nose.
Performance Comparison
With an aggressive nose, the Tower was comparable to the design silhouette of the Airis HardTop, pictured here on the left.
Stability
The Adventurer 2 is relatively stable, but the thin nose and board profile made most beginners feel uncomfortable on this board. Also, when we had a furry friend as a passenger, this model was especially wobbly. Plus, with such a heavyweight, it's difficult to maneuver, which can lead to instability. However, this board is rated to 400 pounds, which is one of the higher ratings in our test. Most of our testers were well under 200 pounds, and it is possible that a heavier user may feel more comfortable on this board. For a more stable model, look at the PEAK Isle Explorer.
Glide Performance
Although the pointy shape of this model's nose led us to believe that it would do well in the glide category, the profile of the board ended up making it a bit more difficult to turn and slow to respond to paddle strokes. A larger, stronger, heavier paddler would have better luck controlling this board. For a more responsive model, we recommend the iRocker or the Red Paddle Co Voyager.
Ease of Transport
The
Adventurer 2 is one of the lowest-scoring models in this category for two reasons. One, it is one of the heaviest boards we've reviewed, which means that when reviewers picked it up, there was a noticeable difference between it and lighter boards, like the
FunWater 11. Plus, this was the only board that did not come with an included pack. Sure, you can go out and buy one, but there are cheaper boards.
The Tower is a high-volume board, so its pump time was more than most boards.
Ease of Inflation
This model lost points in this category because its pump was so flimsy and light when compared to the more middle-of-the-road pump included with Isle model. For the price of this board, most testers felt that this pump should have been a little bit nicer.
Durability
Several boards in this test have noticeably higher quality materials than the Adventurer 2. These boards include iRocker All-Around 11 and the Isle Explorer. Although this board is sure to last several seasons, it did not stick out as the most durable model in the test.
Value
A more expensive board that lacks some of the components and extras of cheaper boards, we recommend checking out the Isle Explorer or iRocker before deciding to spend your money on this board.
Conclusion
This board is among the heaviest boards in our review. However, with a weight rating of 400 pounds, it might be a good choice for heavier users who can whip the board into shape and make it perform.
