The Penguin X-Lancer is the longest model of the “Family Line” of the manufacturer Penguin Watersports.
At first glance, the X-Lancer looks like a classic allround board.
However, if you take a closer look at the dimensions, it becomes clear that the manufacturer is trying to establish a link between a classic allround board and a touring board.
Accordingly, Penguin calls this a “hybrid shape”.
Learn here whether this project has succeeded and the Penguin X-Lancer can keep up with the quality of the other Penguin paddleboards we’ve reviewed so far.
The Penguin X-Lancer is a very good processing quality which comes with high-quality accessories. The X-Lancer combines the stability of a pure beginner board with significantly improved riding and gliding characteristics of a touring board. This board is ideal for ambitious beginners who prefer longer tours and use the paddleboard as a way to work out.
Table of Contents
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The Penguin X-Lancer 12’6″ has a length of 12’6 (381 cm) with a width of 32” (81 cm).
Even though, the outline is that of an allround board, the length far exceeds most boards of this type. However, it is too wide for a touring board and the nose is too rounded.
The X-Lancer is, therefore, a compromise between the two board types. It combines the stability of an allround board with the running characteristics of a touring board. Both, of course, with slight sacrifices!
Penguin has decided, as with all models of the product line, to use a single fin (US box).
The SUP board is only available as a complete set (with accessories package).
The Penguin X-Lancer 12’6″ Review in Detail
In this review, I go into more detail about the features of the board and the included accessories. At the end of the article, I answer frequently asked questions.
If you have any further questions, feel free to leave me a comment. I will try to answer you as soon as possible!
Product Specifications
| Board Type | Inflatable |
| Brand | Penguin Waterspors |
| Skill | Beginner and Advanced |
| Price Category | Average |
| Area of Application | Allround and Touring |
| Max. Paddler Weight | ca. 120 kg (265 lbs) |
| Length | 381 cm (12’6″) |
| Width | 81 cm (32“) |
| Thickness | 15 cm (6“) |
| Volume | 270 Liter |
| Weight | ca. 11 kg (24 lbs) |
| Accessories | Instruction manual, transport backpack, reversible double action pump, coiled leash, fin (US box with pin), valve wrench, repair kit, 3-piece fiberglass paddle, shoulder strap |
Construction
The X-Lancer cannot be easily assigned to a classic board type. With its length of 12’6 (381 cm) and width of 32” (81 cm), it is most likely a hybrid between an allround and touring board.
The board has a single air chamber with 270 liters of volume. The manufacturer has installed a single fin (US box). Compared to the plug-in fin, screwing on these fins takes a little longer, but you have a wide selection of fins to retrofit.
The thickness of the Penguin X-Lancer is 6″ (15 cm). This gives the board enough buoyancy and achieves good stiffness, which is much needed given the length.
Looking at the board from the side, you can see that the nose is bent up a bit. This means that the tip does not dip into the waves, but glides over it. This design is called “Noserocker”.
The Penguin X-Lancer is a very good processing quality which comes with high-quality accessories. The X-Lancer combines the stability of a pure beginner board with significantly improved riding and gliding characteristics of a touring board. This board is ideal for ambitious beginners who prefer longer tours and use the paddleboard as a way to work out.
Load Capacity
The maximum load of the X-Lancer is 265 lbs (120 kg). However, you should not completely exhaust this specification, because otherwise the performance of the board suffers.
Areas of Application and Riding Characteristics
Due to the very elongated allround design, the Penguin X-Lancer is perfectly suited for fast, medium-length tours on lakes and canals or on waters with light currents or waves. At the same time, it still offers good stability due to its width.
The relatively straight rails (side surfaces) ensure good straight running and directional stability. Due to its length, however, it is not the most maneuverable board.
The X-Lancer can be used just as versatile as any allround board. Its strength, however, clearly lies in its running behavior. It is perfectly suited to glide sportily through the area.
Material and Weight
The construction method of the Penguin X-Lancer is called “MSL Fusion”. This means that the PVC outer shell has been fused inseparably to the fabric shell of the core under the action of high pressure and heat.
For additional stabilization, narrower PVC strips (stringers) have been bonded longitudinally on the top and bottom and the sides are double reinforced.
This construction method achieves the desired strength of the board and saves material and thus weight (compared to 2-layer constructions). The side surfaces (rails) are double-layered and thus additionally reinforced!
Another advantage is that 1-layer boards can be rolled in much smoother. This is quickly learned to appreciate when frequently packed in the backpack.
The weight is, despite the lush dimensions, with about 24 lbs (11 kg) in the lower range. This is certainly due to the construction with only one PVC layer.
Workmanship
The workmanship makes a clean impression throughout, I could not find any flaws in this point.
Here, the board joins the good results of the other models of the manufacturer. The somewhat higher price range of the Penguin boards can be clearly felt in the form of very good quality!
Design
The design of the X-Lancer 2021 has been completely revised. The turquoise turns out strong, and the orange elements at the tail are designed in blue. At the nose, the X-Lancer has a “wooden surface” including Penguin lettering.
On the standing surface there are two blue waves on the side and the P (from Penguin) marks the rear area of the board in a conspicuously large way. On one side of the board are a pair of D-rings (to attach the strap) and at the top of the board there is a white-colored action cam mount.
The Penguin X-Lancer is a very good processing quality which comes with high-quality accessories. The X-Lancer combines the stability of a pure beginner board with significantly improved riding and gliding characteristics of a touring board. This board is ideal for ambitious beginners who prefer longer tours and use the paddleboard as a way to work out.
Other Features
The X-Lancer has the following additional features:
- Deckpad: The standing surface made of anti-slip EVA with diamond embossing provides a secure footing.
- Free D-ring: A stable D-ring behind the valve serves to attach the included coiled leash (spiral-shaped safety line)
- Central Carrying Loop: In the middle of the board there is a central carrying loop with neoprene cover and the company logo. This is also the center of gravity and the most stable standing position (“sweet spot”)
- Luggage Net: In the front area there is an integrated deck net (attached to 4 smaller D-rings). Here you can safely stow equipment or provisions (best in a dry bag).
- Single Fin: The removable center fin is attached to the US box system. With the small enclosed pin, it becomes a click fin.
- Action Cam Mount: A GoPro or other compatible action cam can be attached to the matching mount on the nose. So your adventures you can capture in the future in the form of pictures and videos.
- A Total of 3 Additional D-rings: The board now has 2 smaller, side D-rings for attaching the included carrying strap. Another one is located on the action cam mount, to which you can tie the board, for example, during a break.
Accessories
The X-Lancer 12’6″ comes with the following accessories:
- Penguin X-Lancer Transport Backpack: The backpack with carrying strap is very neatly finished and is well padded in the back area and at the adjustable straps.
It also has a comfortable chest strap and a hip belt. Thus, the backpack can be individually adjusted to you, and you can cope well with longer distances to the water. Dimensions: approx. 35.5” x 15.5” x 12” (90 x 40 x 30 cm). - Penguin X-Lancer Switchable Double-Stroke Air Pump With Pressure Gauge The set includes a double-stroke air pump with pressure gauge. This type of pump fills the board with air both when pulling up and when pushing down. This reduces the pumping time.
Towards the end, however, it becomes more and more strenuous because the resistance increases, then simply switch to single-stroke operation and save your strength.
- Adjustable Penguin X-Lancer Paddle: The set includes a 3-piece paddle with a lightweight fiberglass shaft and a PVC paddle blade. The paddle can be fixed in the desired length from 5’9 to 7′ (175 to 215 cm).
- Penguin X-Lancer Coiled-Leash (Safety Leash): The supplied leash has a strong Velcro closure. This is a so-called coiled leash. The “curled” shape of the leash prevents you from getting caught somewhere while paddling. If you fall into the water, the leash will stretch to its full length.
- Penguin X-Lancer Fin with Pin: The single fin is attached to the rail with a screw and threaded plate. This system is called US-Box. The advantage of this system is the possibility to buy different fins and thus change the riding characteristics.
In the current model, you can use an innovative fin pin to turn the single fin into a click fin and attach it to the US box in seconds, so you are now ready to go much faster. - Penguin X-Lancer Repair Kit Incl. Valve Wrench: This small set consists of color matching PVC patches and a valve wrench. Unfortunately, the glue is missing, so you can repair small damages on the board directly yourself. With the valve wrench, you can check the valve for tight fit and also replace it in case of a defect.
- Penguin X-Lancer Shoulder Strap: With this well-padded, adjustable shoulder strap (incl. 4 plastic D-rings) you can easily hang the board over your shoulder. All you have to do is attach the plastic hook fasteners to the two D-rings on the side of the board.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to inflate the Penguin X-Lancer?
Despite its length, the Penguin X-Lancer should be ready to go in 6 to 8 minutes with the included pump. Learn more about the Penguin X-Lancer.
How much PSI should the Penguin X-Lancer be inflated to?
The recommended pressure is 15 PSI. This is equivalent to 1 bar and is a standard value for many boards. You can find more information about the Penguin X-Lancer here. Learn more about the Penguin X-Lancer.
Where can I buy the Penguin X-Lancer?
The manufacturer Penguin Watersports restricts itself to online trade only and relies mainly on its own webshop! You can find more information about the Penguin X-Lancer here. Learn more about the Penguin X-Lancer.
Conclusion
The Penguin X-Lancer 12’6″ could convince me in the review by a very good processing quality and the complete, also high-quality accessories.
Since I have already tested other boards of the manufacturer (Lancer and Coast Runner), this is no surprise. These were also convincingly manufactured throughout.
The main question that arises for me with the X-Lancer is the need for a design that represents a mixture of 2 board types. After all, compromises are always to be expected. A board that can really do everything unfortunately does not exist!
Penguin has with the Lancer, the little brother of the X-Lancer, already a great allround board in the offer. With the Coast Runner, there is also a successful touring board in the range. So why the X-Lancer?
Because this compromise is really successful! Of course, it is not a pure touring board and if you already own an allround board, you don’t really need this board.
But the X-Lancer combines the stability of a pure beginner board with significantly improved riding and gliding characteristics of a touring board. The X-Lancer is therefore ideal for ambitious beginners who prefer longer tours and also want to be a bit sportier.
In terms of price, it is not exactly cheap. It lies between the offered allound boards and the touring boards from Penguin. However, the price/performance ratio is completely reasonable in view of the scope of delivery and the quality offered. You should make your decision above all under consideration of the described area of application!
The Penguin X-Lancer is a very good processing quality which comes with high-quality accessories. The X-Lancer combines the stability of a pure beginner board with significantly improved riding and gliding characteristics of a touring board. This board is ideal for ambitious beginners who prefer longer tours and use the paddleboard as a way to work out.
