David Ziessen
David Ziessen

January 9, 2023

We at ISUPcenter test Paddle Boards that can be found in our webshop. For example, we have also made a review of the Red Paddle 10’6 Ride. For these reviews, we test a board on all relevant points. The 9’5 is just new to the market. In this extensive test of the new Moai SUP we looked at several factors including stability and stiffness.

What is the Moai 9’5 for Paddle Board?

The Moai 9’5 Paddle Board is a new SUP from Moai. The board is intended for the smaller suppers. Moai is relatively new in the SUP market but that is not noticeable, they offer quality and complete products for a competitive price. You have 5 different Moai boards, namely the 9’5″ allround, the 10’6″ allround, the 11″ allround, the 12’4″ allround family (2-person) and finally the 12’6″ touring. Almost every Moai Paddle Board has the same design, only the qualities differ. Would you like to know which Moai supboard suits you best? Then view our Moai advice guide. We have tested the complete Moai 9,5 package in this review, although this review is mainly about the board itself.

Contents of the Moai 9’5 package

moai 95 sup board review

Contents of the Moai 9’5 package

The package includes almost everything you need for supping straight away. For example, there is a leash to safely hold on to your board if you fall and thanks to the supplied bag you do not have to search endlessly for a suitable way to transport the SUP. The complete package includes the following accessories:
  • The Moai 9’5 board
  • NEW: Adjustable fiberglass/aluminium paddle
  • NEW: Reinforced trolley backpack (with wheels)
  • NEW: US vin box
  • Moai leash
  • Repair kit
  • Moai double action pump
  • Removable center fin

Test Factors

We test the same factors for every Paddle board review. In this way we guarantee the quality and we make it possible to compare the reviews with each other. We test the following 4 standard factors with every review:
  1. How qualitative the board is
  2. The stiffness of the SUP
  3. How stable the board is on the water
  4. And finally, we test the maneuverability of the SUP
After testing all 4 of the above factors, we rate each part from 0 to 100. Their average will determine the final grade of the supboard package. This final grade can be found at the bottom of the page at the conclusion. see below the results of the four factors tested in total.

Quality of the Paddle board

We immediately notice something about the new Moai 9’5 SUP Board: the 9’5 is just as sturdy as its big brothers, and that’s a good thing! Thanks to the supplied double action pump, it is quickly inflated. Can’t or don’t want to inflate your SUP yourself? Then take a look at our electric SUP pumps. Moai strives for innovation and they show that again with this board. They are just new to the market but continue to consistently release quality boards.

Stiffness of the Paddle board

This supboard is just like its brothers made of 2 PVC layers and drop stitch. As a result, it does not bend quickly and it remains nicely stiff. The short length of 9’5″ makes it even stiffer than its bigger brothers. The shorter length also means that you can surf with this board! There is elastic on the front of the sup board, thanks to the elastic you can easily take your food and drinks with you in a dry bag. The board has a Hawaiian look which makes it look refreshing and striking. And it’s not just the board itself that looks good: the included bag and pump also go well with the package

Stability on the water

After checking the quality of the board and the design, we stepped on the paddle board ourself and experienced for ourselves how the 9’5 performs. Based on our experience we can say that this is a perfect beginner sup for the smaller supper. The board is very stable, this is mainly due to its high volume, short nose, wide middle base and short length.

Manoeuvrability in the water

The SUP is amazingly manoeuvrable. Just as the wide center base, high volume, short nose and short length provide stability, they also provide manoeuvrability. Bends are easy to make thanks to this combination. which is also partly due to its good stability, the more stable you are, the easier you make the bend. During the maneuverability test we found out that this SUP is also perfect for more experienced paddlers. We are also advanced ourselves and thoroughly enjoyed the maneuverability.

Conclusion Moai 9’5 review

We are very pleased with the Moai 9’5 Paddle Board, this is also why it can be found in our webshop. We are particularly pleased with the price/quality ratio. You get a complete and high-quality package for a very competitive price. And as mentioned before, this is not only the perfect stand up paddle board for beginners but also for advanced players. This is mainly due to the manoeuvrability, stability and quality. Beginner or advanced, almost everyone can paddle with pleasure and comfort on the Moai 9’5. If you don’t plan on covering long distances, this board is a perfect choice! Check the conclusion of this Moai 9’5 review in the overview below.

Moai 9'5 Paddle Board

€399
8.8

Quality

8.5/10

Stiffness

8.5/10

Stability

9.5/10

Maneuverability

10.0/10

Speed

7.5/10

Pros

  • Stable and agile
  • Super stiff
  • Suitable for surfing
  • Complete package
  • Competitively priced

Cons

  • Not as fast as a touring board
  • Not suitable for long trips
  • Only suitable for the smaller supper