Before I get started, I want to say that the Bote Rackham is a fishing machine. I purchased the 12’ Rackham not knowing much about Bote or Stand up Paddle Board (SUP) fishing. I have always heard of Bote being that I’m a surfer. However, SUPs never interest me until I learned that people in Florida have been doing it for years. SUP Fishing is not popular in Galveston or the Central Coast of Texas. You may come across it every now and then, but it’s very rare. I saw a couple of YouTube videos and I was hooked. I was already looking for an alternative to stand up more and get in a good upper body workout while I was on the water, so I pulled the trigger on the 12’ Bote Rackham.
When you first see a Bote you are really taken back by the beauty of the board. I chose the Classic design which had a wood grain and white design. The graphics are very beautiful and making the board stand out more than any SUP on the market. I got so many compliments on the way the board look more than anything else. Besides the beauty of the rig, the Rackham cuts through the water and is stable. I would find myself out paddling my friends on the water with little effort. The board is designed to cut through the water and cover a lot of water. It does take a little bit to feel very comfortable with the balance, but it’s stable.
The downside to the board is its size, but its not the fault of the board. The Rackham is 12’ and is difficult to mount on top of a truck like mine. However, take in mind my truck is not a common truck size. My truck is about 7 feet tall. I ended up putting mine in the back of my truck when I transported it. Anyone could easily mount the board on top of a car, 4runner, or the back of a truck.
If you are like me and like to fish in skinny water to sight cast you will possibly need a smaller skeg. The skeg that comes with the Bote is solid, but can only you get you in about 1’ of water. For extra comfort, I would suggest getting a cooler. I chose to get a 30 qt Engel cooler. The cooler was the perfect size for the board. I mainly used as dry storage, but it would be perfect for bringing drinks and putting fish on ice.
Overall I would highly recommend the Bote Rackham. If you are a bigger guy or girl I would suggest getting the 14’, but the 12’ will do the job for most people. I’m 5’10” and about 180 lbs. This board is perfect for covering long distances and fishing all day.