Gear Review: BOTE Rackham Aero 12’4” Fischer Cutthroat Hybrid SUP
After years of being anti-SUP, the author has become a convert. Photo: Rick Mikesell
I have managed to avoid the stand-up paddleboard craze for as long as I could. A few of my favorite warmwater lakes have become nearly unfishable on summer weekends because of the sheer number of paddleboarders drifting aimlessly over the edges where wipers and walleyes push bait. The idea of trying to cast among them always felt like an exercise in frustration. My other hesitation was practical. If a shot appears while you are paddling, the time it takes to drop the paddle, pick up the rod, strip loose line, and finally make the cast usually results in a missed shot or a fish you have already spooked. Add in the awkward efficiency of trying to cover water while standing with a single blade on a breezy lake, and I wrote paddleboards off.
For years, my choices came down to a float tube or my small jonboat, which I built-out like a little poling skiff. The float tube leaves both hands free and is excellent for adjusting with your feet but sitting that low makes sight-fishing nearly impossible and forces you to struggle with a low backcast angle all day. The skiff solves all of that, and with two people aboard, I can position the bow perfectly while the angler focuses only on the shot. The problem is that fishing with a partner is not always realistic in this busy modern world, especially when most of my fishing is very last-minute—a gap in the kids’ activity schedule or a guide-client cancellation. Many local lakes also limit motors or do not have ramps, and hauling a hard-sided kayak is its own challenge since my truck bed is only four and a half feet long. I was not interested in swapping boats on the trailer or giving up more garage space, which is already stuffed to the gills with a boat and trailer, camper, float tubes, and far too much fishing gear for a sane human.
So I was surprised to find an answer in a category I had dismissed for years, the BOTE Rackham Aero 12’4” Fischer Cutthroat Hybrid SUP ($1,849).
The Rackham Aero is great for fly fishing, although the author has a few design quibbles to address. Photo courtesy Bote
What Makes This One Different?
The Rackham Aero stands out for three simple reasons. It converts cleanly between a stand-up platform and a sit-down kayak. The build quality is super solid and inspires confidence even for someone who no longer has perfect balance. And the accessories are well thought through, especially the upright paddle sheath, which solves my biggest hesitation about paddle boards as a fishing craft.
The board uses an internal inflatable structure that is surprisingly rigid. Standing feels natural and steady. I never felt off balance in calm-to-moderate conditions. There is plenty of deck space to move and cast, and the Fischer Cutthroat color pattern is a fun nod to our western trout roots.
BOTE built the Rackham around what they call the Aero Paddle Seat. In practice, it is a comfortable seat that lifts you high enough to paddle comfortably, and it lets you switch from standing to sitting with almost no effort. The included paddle converts between a kayak two-blade and a longer single-blade. I have not found a reason to switch to the single blade. I simply use the paddle as a kayak blade, whether I am sitting or standing.
There is an optional pedal drive system, but I did not purchase it. At nearly $1000, it is out of the question for me, but the deck insert that accepts the drive does create an interesting spot for electronics. I am already thinking about my ice fishing sonar and how easily it may adapt for next season.
The author’s setup includes a long-handle net and a stripping basket. A sheath at the bow holds the paddle for quick shots. Photo: Rick Mikesell
The other key system is the removable slide tracks that run along the rails. These accept paddle clips, rod holders, and other small accessories. I keep the paddle clips installed along with the upright Aero paddle sheath. The sheath is the piece that changed my opinion about boards. You can stow the paddle instantly in one clean movement without bending or making a full reach. When a shot appears, you simply drop the paddle in the sheath, pick up the rod, and start fishing. It solves the lost motion problem that always made paddle boards feel impractical for real fishing.
The board is also compatible with BOTE’s rack receivers if you want to run a gear rack. The innovative Magnepod ports lock down their Kula line of coolers and water bottles without straps, which is a very cool feature, but I have not had the need for a cooler on the water yet. It will be great for longer days in the summer.
The Rackham Aero kit comes with a seat, a paddle, a storage bag, and a hand pump. Photo courtesy Bote
On-the-Water Impressions
My first sessions were on familiar warmwater lakes, where I typically drift along the bank and sight-fish the shallow flats. The Rackham Aero paddles well from a sitting position. The kayak blade is efficient, and on windy days, I found that remaining seated gave me better control and speed. A recent outing on a calm morning turned into whitecaps by midday. The board never felt unstable. I sat down, pointed the bow toward the ramp, and rode the chop without any sense of risk. I always wear my NRS Matik inflatable PFD, and even though I have not had to use it, the confidence in the board helps keep the whole experience relaxed.
The included center fin and side fins keep the board tracking straight. This matters more than expected. When I drift shorelines, I want the board to hold its orientation instead of spinning. It behaves like a drift boat when you quarter the wind correctly, by paddling out to the edge, standing up, and fishing to the bank as the wind pushes you in a drift similar to Loch Style competition angling. I am already looking for a small drift sock to slow the movement on stronger wind days.
Even in moderate chop, the author found the SUP tracked well and got him back to the ramp without much effort. Photo: Rick Mikesell
The rear bungee is perfect for securing my waterproof boat bag. I can reach behind me easily for tools or sunscreen without disrupting the drift. Rod storage while you’re moving is simple with the forward bungees, and extra rods ride safely. There are more accessory ports than I will ever use, which is a good problem for anyone who likes to tinker with a setup across seasons.
The only real compromise comes from the optional pedal drive port. Leaving it uncovered reduces fly line snags but lets a surprising amount of water onto the deck when the wind picks up. Installing the plastic cover keeps your feet drier, but it creates the snag point you hoped to avoid. My trusted ECOastal stripping basket was not quite the solution for this issue. I think the new SA Launch Pad Drift will fit the space better and solve the problem for next season.
Set Up, Storage, and Durability
The board arrives with a hand pump, which works fine, but it takes a lot of energy to reach the recommended pressure. I quickly switched to a power pump to do the heavy lifting and finished with the hand pump, which has a clear gauge that makes it easy to dial in the final few pounds.
Everything fits in the rolling storage bag. It is not small or light, but for an inflatable craft of this size, it is reasonable. It takes up most of my short truck bed and fits easily in an SUV. A small sedan trunk may be a challenge. The bag stores upright in the corner of my garage, which is a win considering how crowded that space already is.
Storage space and options are ample and convenient. Photo: Rick Mikesell
The deflate setting on the pump pulls air from the chambers efficiently. Rolling the board tight enough to return it to the bag is simple once you learn the sequence.
Durability has been fantastic. I have slid over stumps, dragged it across sand and parking lots, and generally treated it like a boat. The fabric shows no real wear so far, and the seams remain tight. There is a basic repair kit included if you ever run into trouble.
A Few Rough Edges
The sand spear and the pedal-drive system are not included. The spear runs about $160 and is something I will add next season for staking out in shallow water or even poling through carp flats. The pedal drive is nearly $1,000 and is not a realistic add-on for me. I have not found a great solution for a landing net yet, and am a bit worried about losing one overboard, although it hasn’t happened. Currently, I am just tucking it behind the kayak seat, but it is not secured and is a bit awkward to reach for.
The pedal port cover is the only design feature I would change. You either choose a dry deck with more fly line management or a wet deck with a cleaner top. I wish there were a better integrated, flush solution, but for now, I can work around it with an upgraded stripping pad.
You wouldn’t call it “packable,” but the Rackham Aero fits easily in a truckbed. Photo: Rick Mikesell
A Stand-Up Solution
No craft is perfect. Every boat trades one strength for another. I never expected to add a paddleboard to my lineup, but the Rackham Aero is an asset for solo days. It opens lakes that restrict motors, it is laid out and performs for fly anglers far better than the boards I had seen before, and the seat and paddle system make long paddles completely reasonable.
I am already planning new experiments for next season. I want to try the board on moving water and see how it handles exploratory floats on the home river. I also want to test the sonar idea with the pedal port. Most of all, I am looking forward to having a simple, stable way to slip out for a few hours when life gives me a small window. The Rackham Aero lets me do that without recruiting a partner or backing a trailer into a ramp.
It has turned me from a paddleboard skeptic into a paddleboard promoter. With a few small tweaks, I am excited for next season and for finding some adventure on the BOTE.
Check Out the BOTE Rackham Aero 12’4” Fischer Cutthroat Hybrid SUP Here
