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Honu Sorrento 12’6 Touring iSUP Review, 2023

Honu Sorrento 12’6 Touring iSUP

9.8

Overall Rating:

9.8/10

Pros

  • Speedy as can be! The shape and construction pair nicely to allow this board to efficiently get up to speed and then maintain it.
  • Excellently built for a lightweight (21.6 lb) touring SUP that tracks so well you will barely have to switch sides as you paddle.
  • Stiff and rigid due to 2 PVC layers on the hull and deck and 3 on the rails! The extra layer on the rails allows for the board to be thin yet high-performing.
  • Well-designed for speed
  • Raised kick-pad for easier maneuvering and step-back turns. We love the placement of this kick-pad as it’s easy to feel without having to look back.
  • Upgraded backpack and fin box: the backpack is now thicker and more durable and the fin box is split for an easier time rolling up your SUP.
  • 4-year warranty from a reputable brand, they will replace your board for the first 4 years if you experience a manufacturer problem.

Cons

  • Not the most stable for beginners (this is always a trade-off with speed though and intermediate to advanced paddlers will love this board)

A high-performance touring board that cuts through the waves much like it cut through our expectations: this SUP is surprisingly speedy!

Honu Sorrento 12’6 Touring iSUP Review 2023

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I’ll let you know before we even get deep into this review that the Honu Sorrento 12’6 Touring SUP is currently my personal favorite board, and I assure you that I am extremely picky, especially when it comes to touring boards.

Before you roll your eyes at that, let me give you some backstory. Back when I was in college (a whopping 1 year ago) I spent every Summer working as a SUP guide/instructor for a rental shop in Cape May, NJ. We offered 4 tours per day, each lasting about 2 hours, and I paddled with our guests for every single one. I was spending those 8 hours paddling the same wide, stable all-arounds as the guests, until one day my boss dropped off a hand-me-down touring board that she found collecting dust in her garage. ‘Thought you might like it’, she said as she set it down on the dock.

I fell in love with that board. It was a 12’6 x 28” epoxy hard SUP with a bamboo finish and a sleek black and white deck pad that was absolutely blinding in the sun. It made those 8 hours of paddling feel like seconds and I was easily paddling circles around our guests (to keep them safe, of course).

That hand-me-down board was one of my hardest goodbyes when I moved out to Utah for this position, and since then I’ve been searching for that same feeling in all of the touring boards we test. It was a feeling that was proving very hard to find until I stepped onto the Honu Sorrento for the first time.

To say that The Honu Sorrento 12’6 Touring SUP just impressed us would be a gross understatement. We think this SUP would make a phenomenal choice for intermediate or advanced paddlers that want to invest in a carefully constructed, rigid, high-performance touring iSUP capable of crushing mile after mile and hitting some noteworthy speeds.

I also want to make clear that I’m not saying the Sorrento won’t be useable for beginners, but it will definitely come with a learning curve if you’re used to wider, less tapered, all around SUPs. However, as you adjust to the Sorrento’s stability and feel more comfortable with it on the water, you’ll love it more and more as your skills develop.

We think the Honu Sorrento 12’6 Touring SUP would be great for paddlers who

  • Are intermediate paddlers that want an exceptionally built, lightweight touring SUP with excellent tracking capabilities
  • Are Ambitious novice paddlers that know they want to develop their skills in SUP’ing and move into touring and fitness paddling
  • Are solo paddlers that aren’t loading down with excess gear and an extra passenger

Honu Sorrento 12’6 Touring SUP: Spec Sheet

  • Main Category: Touring
  • Board Dimensions: 12’6 x 30” x 5.9”
  • Listed Board Weight: 21.6 lbs
  • Listed Max Capacity: 308 lbs
  • Recommended PSI: 16-20 PSI
  • Fins: Single Fin US split fin box
  • Paddle: *not included
  • *Honu has a selection of high-quality paddles available for a discounted additional purchase when you bundle them with your SUP.

  • Materials: Woven-cross drop stitch core; fused PVC; welded carbon rails; 3k Carbon Stringers
  • Warranty: 4 years

Performance Review of the Honu Sorrento 12’6 Touring Stand Up Paddle Board

Sorrento paddling left
The Sorrento is rigid and lightweight, giving it a zippy feeling on the water that we love!
Sorrento stability
The well-placed kick pad makes the 12’6 Sorrento surprisingly maneuverable.
Sorrento paddling right
21.6 lbs, the Sorrento easily changes directions and easy to get where you’re going!

Overall Score: [9.8/10]

  • Stability: 8.7/10
  • Speed: 9.6/10
  • Tracking: 9.7/10
  • Maneuverability: 8.7/10
  • Construction Quality: 9.8/10
  • Features/Accessories: 8.6/10

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Stability Rating: [8.7/10]

Sorrento stability
The thinness of the board brings you closer to the water and even closer if you force it. Yet, you won’t get your feet wet because it’s that rigid.
Sorrento stability
We found that this SUP is stable right off the bat for an experienced paddler, with a small learning curve for more novice paddlers.

The Honu Sorrento is a true touring SUP and is naturally more geared toward speed than stability. This SUP will come with a moderate learning curve for SUP newcomers, or even some more seasoned paddlers that are transitioning from 33” or 32” wide SUPs.

The 30” width on the Sorrento combined with its tapered shape and single fin do contribute to a bit more responsiveness (aka ‘tippiness’) under your feet as you shift your weight between strokes. Still, the 12’6 Sorrento is much more stable than some 28” touring SUPs we’ve tested out; it just takes some getting used to if you’re coming from a wider or more rounded board. This is a touring SUP that you’ll enjoy more as your skills develop alongside it.

Regarding the Sorrento’s weight capacity, 308 lbs does seem reasonable for this SUP considering it is one of the most rigid 12’6 SUPs we’ve tested. We still need to do additional testing to find out if the weight capacity is 308lbs of dispersed weight or if a solo paddler close to that size range would feel comfortable on the Sorrento, but considering the Sorrento’s construction, the welded carbon rails, and carbon stringers, I have high hopes and will update when some of our taller/heavier reviewers give the Sorrento a try.

Speed Test: 9.6/10

Top Sprint Speed:5.7 MPH
Average Cruising Speed:4.8 MPH
SUP Board Guide’s Speed Testing:
To obtain our speed test results, we use a Speed Coach Sup 2. This gives us accurate readings on how fast we are paddling and our current stroke rates. For the top sprint speed, we paddle as hard as we can for approximately 10-15 seconds and then record our average speed. For the casual test, we paddle at 40-35 strokes per minute for approximately 30-60 seconds and record the average speed.

The Sorrento is undeniably built for speed, and its exceptional performance in our speed tests came as no surprise. Even in the touring SUP category, the 12’6 Sorrento inches it’s way toward the front of the pack.

Part of the Honu Sorrento’s capacity for speed comes from its streamlined shape and careful construction. Its tapered nose and squared-off tail minimize drag by narrowing and elongating your waterline on your SUP. Combine that with its lightweight, rigid construction and single touring fin, and you’re left with a smooth ‘gliding’ like feeling over the water, even if you’re not paddling the Sorrento in a full-out sprint. This SUP just seems to effortlessly eat up miles on the water without the paddler having to put in much effort.

One thing that I think may make the Sorrento even faster is if they incorporated a v-hull like shape on the nose, similar to the one we’ve seen (and loved) on the SeaGods Ketos. It might just give the Sorrento even more of an edge to enter into the touring/race hybrid category. Though for now, the current Sorrento is still one of the quickest true dedicated touring SUPs we’ve tested.

Tracking: 9.9/10

Sorrento fin
The hatchet-style fin helps to grip your course in the water by mitigating side-to-side movement in the tail.
Sorrento paddling in
While keeping our form in check, we hardly ever had to switch sides on the Sorrento.

This section is simply going to be a love letter to the Sorrento, and rightfully so.

This SUP has some of the best tracking capabilities we’ve seen to date (and we’ve tested a TON of boards). Neither myself nor Justin had to switch sides at all during the .06 mile sprint test on the Sorrento, even during tests when we weren’t fully honed in on our stroke technique. I can only imagine what the Sorrento would be capable of in the hands of a paddler with 100% stellar technique and form. I could see this SUP being able to carry on for miles without having to switch sides or readjust your course all that frequently.

When it comes to ‘why’ the Sorrento tracks so well in the water, my estimate would be that it’s a combination of multiple things, not just the single touring fin alone. The reason I say this is because we’ve tested out our fair share of ‘single touring fin’ SUPs and none tracked as well as the Sorrento. I think its rigid construction also contributes here in that you won’t create any uneven drag from the Sorrento flexing under your feet. I’d also estimate that Honu’s intensive quality control efforts avoid any small asymmetries on the Sorrento that would otherwise slightly decrease its tracking capability.

Maneuverability: 8.7/10

Sorrento stability
The Sorrento’s kick-pad makes for well-executed stepback turns.
Sorrento turning left
Being a touring SUP, the Sorrento is a little slower in the casual turns, but this is to be expected

The Honu Sorrento maneuvers fairly well for a SUP that is built to go straight and fast. Maneuverability is not a category where the Sorrento excels, at least if you’re comparing it to the maneuverability-focused all-around boards. However, we don’t think that’s a fair comparison considering the Sorrento is a dedicated touring SUP.

With that in mind, I was pretty happy with the maneuverability of the Sorrento. It’s lightweight, so casual turns don’t take much effort to change the SUPs direction, though it is a bit slower to turn due to it’s 12’6 length and hatchet fin, but that’s to be expected. Walking yourself back towards the tail for a stepback turn will take some practice on the Sorrento since it’s focused on speed more than stability. However, once you do get your foot back to the tail, the raised kick pad makes it easy to be able to make a pretty tight, well-executed pivot or step-back turn with the assurance of correct foot placement.

Construction Quality: 9.8/10

Sorrento side rail
Honu added a layer of carbon fiber to the Sorrento rails to add rigidity and durability.
Sorrento tail handle
All handles on the Sorrento look to be well attached.
Sorrento mid rail
The Sorrento also has carbon fiber stringers on the top and bottom for even more stiffness.
Sorrento deck pad
The Sorrento’s kick-pad is perfectly placed over the fin.

As with most things about the Sorrento, ‘impressive’ is the best word to use when describing its construction.

Focusing on its interior, the tapered shape of the Sorrento is held in place by thousands of drop stitch threads, organized in an ‘X’ pattern to increase rigidity while using less material (i.e staying lightweight). These threads are attached to a woven fabric layer that encompasses the inner core of the SUP.

Moving onto the exterior of the Sorrento, The PVC layers are fused to the fabric layer with heat instead of glue for a lighter, more uniform bond. The carbon stringer is then applied, bonded with TPU (a material that bridges the gap between carbon fiber and PVC), and layered with vinyl with the goal of increasing rigidity even more.

Honu takes the stiff construction of the Sorrento even further by incorporating a carbon layer into their rails and pressure/heat sealing it at the seams for a durable fit before covering it with a final rail layer of PVC. Throughout every step of this process, Honu is constantly performing quality control checks to ensure that each board is built to their standard.

The Sorrento is one of the best demonstrations of Honu and Mark Travers’ commitment to innovative SUP construction. They have dismantled the trade-off that usually occurs between an inflatable SUP’s rigidity and its overall weight in creating the 21.6 lb ultra-stiff Sorrento. I am stoked to see how the Sorrento develops even further, and how this type of construction and performance influences the industry as a whole.

Board Stiffness:

Honu Sorrento 12’6 Touring iSUP Review bendtest
The Sorrento before placing 150 lbs at its midpoint (please ignore the blur, I have an outdated iPhone!)
Honu Sorrento 12’6 Touring iSUP Review  bendtest
The Sorrento flexed slightly less than one inch with 150 lbs on its midpoint.

Stiffness Test: 0.8125” Bend

SUP Board Guide’s Bend Testing:
In order to attest to the rigidity of each board, we use a bend test curated by Supboardguide. In order to obtain the results, we inflate the board to its maximum recommended PSI and then place it across two sawhorses that are 7 feet apart. We then take a measurement in the middle of the board. Then, we place 150 lbs worth of sandbags on the middle top of the SUP. Last, we record its displacement (the movement from its original position). We use this method for every board we test as a way to mathematically compare boards across a common denominator.

Our bend test is carried out by placing the SUP (the Sorrento in this case) on top of two sawhorses that are set 7 feet apart. We then load 150 lbs onto the SUP’s midpoint and measure how much it bends under that weight. As we always say, we know this is not how the SUP performs in the water, but this test helps in differentiating different construction processes and materials and how they contribute to the overall rigidity of the SUP.

The fact that the Sorrento bent less than 1 inch is extremely impressive, especially at just 21 lbs. More than that though, this stiffness is something that you can feel on the water.

As you shift your weight to paddle, you don’t feel any flexing, or bouncing that would create drag. When you get the board up to speed, you can feel the glide that comes from its flat, consistent waterline.

In short, Honu’s detailed construction process results in a rigid, high-performing SUP that is well worth the investment for a serious paddler.

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Features/Accessory Review: [8.6/10]

As is typically the case with Honu, The Sorrento shows off an uncluttered, but functional list of features.

Blackfin Model V iSUP Review 2023

Even the underneath of the Sorrento has a clean and cutting look

There are 3 carry handles: at the nose, tail, and center of the SUP to make getting in and out of the water easier with this 12’6 board. The Sorrento also has a 6-point front cargo area and a 4-point rear cargo area to store drybags or your shoes during a long tour.

Sorrento rear bungee
The D-rings on this back cargo area make it possible to strap on even more gear
Sorrento mid handle
The diamond grooves are comfortable and also eliminate the chance of slipping when it gets wet

As we previously mentioned, the Sorrento also has a raised kick pad that helps tremendously with stepback turns, as well as a grippy diamond grooved deck pad. Lastly, the Sorrento also utilizes a split US fin box for tons of customization ability on your center fin and an easier time rolling it up!

Included Accessories:

Listed below are all of the accessories that come included in the kit of the Sorrento 12’6 Touring SUP. You’ll notice that the Sorrento does not come with an included paddle; instead, Honu has several options of high-quality paddles available for a discounted price if you bundle it with your SUP.

  • Honu SUP roller bag w/ large front pocket
  • Full swivel coiled leash
  • 9’’ Touring fin

Overall, I really like the Sorrento kit. I found each of the included accessories to be on par with the high quality of the Sorrento itself. The leash is soft and comfortable, the roller bag is roomy and easy to organize with the front pocket, and the included 9’’ touring fin is awesome for tracking capabilities.

Summary Review of the Honu Sorrento 12’6 Touring SUP

Honu Sorrento 12’6 Touring iSUP Review 2023

As I stated initially, I fell in love with the Sorrento the first time I paddled it for this review. Of course, I am partial to touring boards as a whole, but the Sorrento has effectively set the bar for performance-oriented, rigid, lightweight touring iSUPs.

The Sorrento impressed us in every aspect of our testing, from speed and tracking to overall construction, and even surprised us in the maneuverability category. To be honest, it was pretty difficult to write the ‘cons’ list on the chart at the top of this page.

I’d feel confident recommending the Sorrento to any intermediate paddler that wants the most in performance and stiffness but also values lightweight construction. I’d even feel comfortable recommending the Sorrento to confident novice paddlers that know they want to invest in a SUP with enough of a learning curve to help them hone their skills and enter into the touring and fitness paddling scene.

In short, the Sorrento does not disappoint within the category of speed-oriented, high-performance touring iSUPs.

As always, we appreciate you reading through our review of the Honu Sorrento 12’6 Touring SUP. If you have any additional questions on the Sorrento or any other SUP we’ve reviewed, don’t hesitate to reach out. Happy paddling!

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SupBoardGuide

Heyo! At SupBoardGuide.com we are a team who love the water, the outdoors, and are more than grateful that our full-time job allows us to review stand up paddle boards. We paddle year round (it helps that we are just about 2 hours outside of Las Vegas), and we bring in a wide range of paddlers with the goal of providing our readers with the best, most in-depth, and accurate stand up paddle board reviews.

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11 thoughts on “Honu Sorrento 12’6 Touring iSUP Review, 2023”

  1. I have used a friends Red Paddle board 11’3 sport. I really like Red Paddle 11’3 sport board however not the price tag. I paddle rivers, lakes with quite a bit of chop from boats/wind.

    I have read both of your reviews on the Honu Byron and Sorrento boards. I am 5’10 – 180 pounds. I would say an intermediate paddler. I have paddled on other brands 34″ wide boards and they are too slow. Paddling on the 32″ wide red paddle 11’3 sport is a lot faster than 34″ boards however does not give up that much stability. I have never paddled on a 30″ wide board so I am not sure how much less stability they are over a 32″ wide board.

    I am looking for something as close to the Red Paddle 11’3 sport board that I can find. I want a board I can grow with as I get better paddling. I realize the Honu Bryon is classified as an all-around board and the Sorrento is a touring board. I believe Red Paddle classifies the Sport 11’3 is an all around/touring board.

    How would you compare both the Bryon and the Sorrento to the Red Paddle sport 11’3? Which would be the closest to the Red Sport?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Hi Brett,

      As far as stability goes, it definitely will take a bit of adjusting to get used to 30″ wide boards vs. 32″ wide boards, but nothing that’s insurmountable with a couple of practice sessions. Comparing those three boards really just depends on your own preference as all three are really great options.

      The Byron 10’6 is a top-tier all-around SUP, meaning it’s light and super maneuverable, but it will be the slowest of the 3 because it’s 32″ wide and has the shortest waterline out of these options. The 11’3 Sport from Red Paddle Co. will have some of the maneuverability of an all-around SUP, and some of the speed of a true touring SUP without significantly losing out on stability. The Sorrento is the fastest option, though it will take a few minutes of getting used to the 30″ width, and the well-placed kick pad makes it extremely maneuverable for a touring SUP.

      I think if you’re looking for a closer comparison to the 11’3 Sport, the Sorrento is your way to go; it’s actually my own personal favorite as well, having paddled both of them.

      Reply
      • Thanks for the input. How well would the Sorrento handle choppy water from wind and boats?

        Also on your review of the Byron – is there a way to get a full picture of the Byron on the black floor in front of the wood wall where you can see the entire board like you have a picture of the Sorrento in its review? It would be nice to be able to see a real life picture of the entire shape of the Byron in the picture like the Sorrento is pictured. Or maybe could email it to me?

        Thanks

        Reply
        • Hi Brett,

          Given how stiff the Sorrento is, it will handle fine in choppy water, but there will be a bit of a balancing adjustment as you transition from 32″ SUPs (nothing that isn’t manageable; I just wouldn’t want it to blindside you). As for a full profile shot of the Byron, that is unfortunately the one photo we did not take, but I think I do have one on my phone from our testing days that I can send to your email, I just need to take some time to find it lol

          Reply
  2. Hello, enjoying your reviews! I have a solstice bali. Bought it a few years ago to try out paddleboarding and fell in love with the activity. Now I’m ready to upgrade for a new one. I want to be able to go a few miles without killing myself. Usually I dont bring much with me, a few cans, Sunscreen. Something to eat. However, I dont exclude that eventually would bring more stuff with me. I go in lakes and bays and try to avoid choppy water only because my SUP is a joke. I’d like to try touring SUP. With so many choices I’m lost at what I should get. Your advise would be greatly appreciated!!

    Reply
    • Hi Anna,

      The Sorrento is a great choice if you’re up for a mild learning curve. It’s a little narrower, and it does take a little bit of adjusting when you’re used to wider boards, but it’s well worth it if you’re looking for a high performance SUP. It will have no problem taking on a few miles, and you’ll definitely be able to build up to more with this board.

      As for bringing along gear or food, the front cargo area on the Sorrento is big enough fit a 10L drybag in there no problem (plenty big enough to bring along some cans, sunscreen and food). The rear cargo area is fairly small , but you are able to fit a smaller drybag in there as well (I normally put a spare set of clothes and a towel in a small drybag on the back). If you’d like to bring a lot more gear than that, I’d suggest looking at our list of Best Touring SUPs.

      Reply
  3. Hello,

    During your review process do you verify the board measurements?

    The Sorrento is advertised to be 30″ width and 5.9″ thick.

    The Sorrento I received was 28 3/4″ in width and almost 7″ thick. Honu customer service was great and took the board back and I got a full refund.

    The Byron I purchased is less than the 32″ in width advertised.

    I am curious if during the reviews if you do verify the measurements on the boards?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Hi Brett,

      Over the last month or so, we’ve been finding similar patterns across several brands. We haven’t quite gotten to the bottom of how this can occur, but are working to make brands aware of any inconsistencies. I am glad to hear Honu’s customer service was great though; they’re a brand we love working with and Mark is extremely knowledgeable and transparent about their construction.

      Reply
  4. Hello, thank you for very detailed review. I would like to know one more thing – is it possible to attach kayak seat using D-rings? From the pictures it seems that there is quite a distance from the front and back rows. I want a fast touring sup board and kayak seat possibility is a big bonus during long trips.

    Reply
    • Hi Valeras,

      We haven’t tried to attach a kayak seat to the Sorrento. There is a pretty big gap between the front and rear bungees though – not sure if a kayak seat would be possible here.

      Reply

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