Surftech Catalyst Tuflite V-Tech Review

Surftech designed the Catalyst Tuflite V-Tech in conjunction with legendary board designer Joe Bark. At 11' 2" long, 32.5" wide, and 5.2" thick, this board strikes a great balance between stability and agility. It has a single, removable center fin, ¾ length deck pad, a recessed center handle, a padded rear carrying handle, and four tie-down spots. It's designed to be great for cruising and touring on flat water and even works well for surfing small-to-mid-sized waves. Surftech also made this SUP more eco-friendly, partnering with Sustainable Surf's Eco Board Project and using bio-based resins and foam to reduce the use of petrochemical-based products.

Performance Comparison

Glide Performance

The most important set of tests for each board in our review deals with how well each one glides and what kind of speed they can achieve. To assess this, we look at how fast the board is in both flat and choppy conditions and how much it glides per paddle stroke.

The Catalyst feels exceptionally light and speedy on the water. It accelerates quickly and has plenty of pickup, allowing you to reach top speed from a standstill without much work. This board easily outpaced most other boards we tested in direct side-by-side analysis. The Catalyst might not be able to match a dedicated race board in terms of speed, but it is far faster than its length would suggest.

If the water is a little wavy, this board also fares quite well. It easily slices through waves when it hits them head-on, and you can tell it wants to surf when the waves are behind you. That said, a broadside wave can effectively kill your speed, as the Catalyst rocks considerably. Still, this board gets a ton of distance per paddle stroke and makes you feel extremely efficient while paddling.

Stability

For this metric, we paddled the Catalyst in the worst conditions we could, getting hit with wind, waves, and boat wakes in the process. There were even a few unexpected swims thrown in. Additionally, we had relatively novice paddlers try out each board to get their opinions and loaded them up with cargo to see how they handled the extra load.

This board handles choppy water surprisingly well, almost matching the performance of much larger and wider boards. It can get a little dicey in larger waves or if you aren't moving, which is especially noticeable if you are floating and catch a boat wake or wave broadside. This can cause you to end up in the water if you aren't paying attention — something we can attest to.

While intermediate SUP users found the Catalyst to be rock solid, novice paddlers found it shakier than some of the larger boards, especially when standing up or adjusting their foot position. This board also rocked and moved a bit more in waves than the flatter expedition or beginner boards, testing a beginner's balance more than other models.

This board has a cargo net in the fore section but only has a weight capacity of around 215 pounds, so you can't load it up with as much gear as other models. However, we found it still plenty stable with a small soft cooler or dry bag strapped to the front. We also wouldn't recommend the Catalyst if you are looking for a board with the hope of bringing your dog along, as their claws will most likely scratch up the surface and may even push you over the board's weight limit.

Maneuverability

In this metric, we looked at how quickly and easily you can turn each board to avoid an obstacle and how much time and space it took to execute a complete U-turn. We also surfed the SUPs on small waves, analyzing how easy it was to move the board around the wave. The Catalyst continued its dominating performance in each of these aspects.

The Catalyst relies on a single-fin configuration and is overall one of the more maneuverable boards we have seen. It turns quickly, allowing you to nimbly steer the board around obstacles without hitting them.

This board also has a relatively small turning radius for its length, allowing you to negotiate narrower channels or marinas easily. In contrast, other boards would have you doing plenty of three-point turns in the same area if you needed to turn around.

If you are comfortable shifting your weight around on this board, you can whip around a quick tail turn on this board — it stays notably stable during turns like this.

Ease of Transport

After all our in-water testers, we moved on to rating and scoring how easy it was to transport each board. We compared how balanced every board felt to carry, the handle type, overall comfort, weight, and the difficulty involved in loading the board onto a car.

The Catalyst has an internal recessed handle in the center of the board and a padded soft handle at the back. It feels surprisingly light for its length — weighing in at 27 pounds, this was the lightest board we tested, weighing in two and a half pounds lighter than the average SUP.

The Catalyst feels fairly easy to carry across short stretches alone; it is very well-balanced and isn't overly cumbersome or fatiguing to hold. We found the handle easy to use, providing a solid and secure grip.

However, we still appreciated having a second person around when loading the board onto a car roof rack. It isn't too difficult to do it solo, but it's easier to keep the board from getting scratched or scuffed with a second person around.

Construction Quality

The Catalyst is meticulously crafted using fiberglass, EPS, a plant-based epoxy resin, and the Surftech tried-and-trusted modeling process. The result is a paddle board that is not only lightweight but also remarkably strong. Its advanced construction ensures impressive rigidity, providing excellent stability and control on the water. The sleek and streamlined design of the board enhances maneuverability, allowing riders to glide through various water conditions effortlessly.

We did find the glossy finish of the Catalyst more prone to visible scuffs than almost all the boards we tested. While this doesn't significantly impact the board's overall performance, it is something to consider when selecting what board is best for your paddling needs and style.

The traction pad offers excellent grip and comfort, promoting secure footing while maneuvering. Additionally, the integrated bungee system provides ample storage space for essential gear, making it ideal for excursions. There is a single center fin in the rear, held in place with a screw.

Should You Buy the Surftech Catalyst Tuflite V-Tech?

Overall, we would highly recommend the Catalyst to almost anyone. It is a great board for anyone who truly wants the best. It did well across all our tests, though its price tag might prevent some beginners from purchasing it. That said, advanced paddlers will enjoy its speed and maneuverability, while beginners will benefit from its solid stability and paddling efficiency. This great board is one of our all-time favorites and is unlikely to disappoint.

What Other Stand Up Paddle Boards Should You Consider?

If you want to cover some distance on your SUP, a longer, narrower board, such as the Starboard Generation LT or Infinity E-Ticket Touring, may be better suited to your needs. Conversely, if you are not looking to cover much distance and would prefer a SUP that is less fragile to transport, consider one of the inflatable sup options, such as the well-designed Bote Breeze Aero or the premium Bluefin Cruise Carbon. If you want to save major bucks on a hardshell, it's also worth it to check out the Pelican Flow 106. Happy paddling!