"The fifth element": CrosLake Bomber 12'6'' and 14' in the test
The fifth element is here!CrosLake extends the "Bomber" from 12' 6'' to 14 feet with an additional section.
First impression: The parts fit together well and - with a few small tricks in the sequence - assembly is a breeze. And above all without pumping!
The individual parts are plugged together with four to seven bolts per interface and screwed together by hand using the large, integrated plastic "nuts". The whole process is much quicker than pumping a board by hand, with noticeably less effort. A watertight storage compartment with a large, round lid at the front holds the small day pack, the fin is simply inserted from above - that's it!
Launching. Around 19 kilos are stated for the 12'6'' and around 23 kilos for the 14''. It is therefore best to pack it on land with two people using the sturdy carrying handles at the front and rear. Once in the water, the comparatively high weight is hardly noticeable. A realisation that also applies to other hard touring boards in general. On the other hand, the individual parts - each on its own - appear very light and, above all, very handy, which makes handling during transport and stowing away at home noticeably easier.
On the water you are only just above water level in the cockpit of the 12'6'' even with 80 kilos - which leads to the extremely good tipping stability. The board is much more stable in the water than any inflatable board of this width. I accelerate the "Bomber" with two or three quick strokes - and it keeps straight as a die. You can paddle ten times or more on one side without hesitation and without being pulled out for alcohol testing due to "snaking".
I stand on the 14 also quite close, but sufficiently high above water level. The robust plastic flexes slightly between the joints, I prefer to find a standing position partly on the transition points. Even with more paddle pressure, my feet stay dry on the 14er. However, the Bomber is not designed for performance paddling. The board has its strengths as a robust tourer, for paddlers who want to be uncomplicated and relaxed when travelling. In contrast to an inflatable board, the Croslake holds its course extremely securely, the bow cuts through the water and is easily washed over at the front when pulled very hard. In a racing sprint, water swells through the gaps in the 12'6" board into the standing area.
At a touring speed of 4 to 5 km/hThe 12'6'', but also the 14er, therefore feels most comfortable on the water, a decent speed at which you can make progress without having to exert yourself too much. The 14er does not have a significant performance advantage, the 14er scores mainly with the additional volume underfoot, the 12'6'' seems to be built quite close to the water at 80 kilos, dry feet are not always guaranteed at fast speeds.
In the turnYou shouldn't expect any miracles on either version, just as the boards hold the track perfectly on long tours, they turn a little unwillingly - the turning circle is noticeably larger than on a comparable iSUP with the bow tip lying deep in the water, the shorter Bomber has a small advantage. With two or three extra strokes, however, you'll be completely round the crosbow turn even on the 14'.
On the straightsurprisingly, the 12'6'' seemed a little more lively and quicker, while the 14'' offers a better carrying reserve.
Our conclusion:Both boards are very stable and track true, easy to transport in individual parts and, above all, very robust. Both boards are recommended for relaxed tours, especially because of their high stability. We would recommend the longer 14-foot version if you weigh 80kg or more. The weight of the assembled boards should not be underestimated, but the individual parts are all the more manageable and a wheel at the rear will soon make it possible to pull them ashore. The parts can be easily stowed away when travelling or at home.
More info: www.croslake.com
