Mistral Bayou Tour 11'6 Inflatable SUP Set - Touring Board With 312 Liter Capacity

Mistral Bayou Tour 11'6 inflatable SUP set is built for paddlers who want a touring-ready board that still packs down into a backpack for easy transport. With a length of 11'6 (350 cm), width of 31" (79 cm) and thickness of 6.0" (15.2 cm), it sits squarely in the inflatable touring SUP segment and is aimed at medium-distance trips on lakes and protected coastal waters.

Dimensions, Volume And Load Capacity

The Bayou Tour 11'6 uses a streamlined, elliptical outline that stretches to 350 cm in length, giving enough waterline for efficient glide while keeping maneuvering manageable for most paddlers. Mistral specifies the board at 31" (79 cm) wide and 6.0" (15.2 cm) thick, a combination that balances stability with touring speed rather than casual play alone.

Underfoot, the Bayou Tour 11'6 carries a quoted volume of 312 l, which Mistral pairs with an optimal combined rider and cargo load of 115 kg and a maximum load of 140 kg. That capacity allows a single adult plus dry bag and jacket without pushing the board deep into the water, which is important for keeping glide and stability on longer touring routes.

Construction, Air System And Deck Features

The Bayou Tour 11'6 is built around a knitted drop-stitch core, described as 15,000 polyester threads per m2 joining the inner layers under a PVC skin. This construction is designed to provide stiffness at paddle-ready pressures while keeping the board light enough to carry in its included backpack.

Air management relies on a single air chamber inflated through an H4 valve tested to 60 psi. The single-chamber layout means the entire board inflates from one point, simplifying setup, while the tested valve rating gives headroom above typical SUP operating pressures. A flat deck profile topped with an ultra-comfortable EVA foam pad aims to reduce foot fatigue and increase grip, especially over longer sessions.

On deck, 5 mm thick cargo bungees at the front tie into stainless steel D-rings and thermally welded PVC patches, providing tie-down points for a dry bag or extra clothing. An integrated action-camera mount near the front lets paddlers fix a camera from major brands, while four D-rings on the deck are positioned to clip in a kayak seat, turning the stand-up board into a sit-down platform with a compatible seat and kayak paddle.

Included Accessories And Package Contents

Mistral sells the Bayou Tour 11'6 as a full inflatable SUP set, not just a bare board. The package includes a three-piece adjustable Solea SUP paddle with an aluminum shaft and abrasion-resistant polycarbonate blade, specified at roughly 178-210 cm of adjustable length for different user heights.

The fin system uses a single rear US box and a proprietary Mistral 8" x 180 g Blue Silver Tip polycarbonate fin, designed to resist catching on weed while giving lateral stability. A 10' twisted safety leash attaches to a rear D-ring via a padded cuff worn below the knee or around the ankle to keep the board connected to the paddler.

Transport and storage rely on a lightweight backpack made from recycled polyester measuring about 95 cm x 45 cm x 30 cm. The set also includes a double-action hand pump with pressure gauge, plus a repair kit containing a valve wrench, PVC patches, contact adhesive, and spare screws for the paddle and fin. These contents make the Bayou Tour 11'6 effectively ready-to-paddle once a user arrives at the water.

Paddler Profile, Use Cases And Care

Mistral positions the Bayou Tour 11'6 for both beginners and more experienced paddlers. The official driver information lists "Anfänger" and "Erfahren" (beginner and experienced) as suitable levels, with the maximum load set at 140 kg. Recommended environments include quiet inland waters and protected coastal areas, where the board's stability and touring-oriented glide fit day trips and fitness paddles.

Care guidance emphasizes rinsing the board with fresh water after use, checking seams regularly and using the included kit for minor repairs. The brand advises deflating and drying the board fully before folding and storing it in a dry, well-ventilated room to avoid moisture damage. For longer storage, Mistral suggests partially inflating to around 8 psi to maintain shape without full pressure, and avoiding prolonged exposure to strong UV radiation.

Manufacturer, Brand Ownership And Global Context

The Bayou Tour 11'6 comes from Mistral, a watersports brand founded in the 1970s and now part of the portfolio of Dutch brand equity investor NMG, which took over the brand to strengthen its presence in SUP, surfing and windsurfing. Public information notes that NMG acquired Mistral as a watersports and lifestyle brand, guiding its international growth.

The Bayou Tour 11'6 itself lists Mistral International B.V., based in Breukelen in the Netherlands, as the producer on a European retailer listing, with the board described as a touring SUP with a capacity of 312 l and a board weight of about 15 kg, built from PVC. For US paddlers, this context means the board is part of a European-driven lineup, imported through distributors or specialty retailers rather than a dedicated US subsidiary with a separate corporate identity.

Comparison With Other Mistral Touring SUPs

Within Mistral's inflatable touring portfolio, the Bayou Tour 11'6 sits alongside models such as the Sun Rise Air 11'6 and Sun Flower 11'6, which share similar length but differ slightly in volume and positioning. The Bayou Tour uses a 312 l volume with a 31" width and focuses on medium-distance touring with a streamlined, elliptic shape. The Sun Flower 11'6 is documented at 314 l of volume over the same 11'6 length, targeting family use and short day trips with more all-around appeal.

Compared with a casual all-rounder of similar length but lower load rating, the Bayou Tour's maximum load of 140 kg and optimal load of 115 kg give extra margin for heavier paddlers or more gear. The action-camera mount and kayak-seat D-rings add versatility for users who want to mix standing and seated paddling without changing boards. In contrast, a race-oriented 12'6 inflatable touring board would typically trade some width and stability for even more speed, whereas the Bayou Tour 11'6 keeps enough width to remain approachable for less experienced paddlers.

Touring Use Case And Verdict

For paddlers planning medium-distance tours on lakes, slow rivers or sheltered coasts, the Bayou Tour 11'6 offers a combination of size, capacity and included accessories that make sense for travel and storage. Its 350 cm length and 79 cm width configuration support efficient glide without feeling unwieldy, while the 312 l volume and 140 kg maximum load provide room for a heavier paddler plus bags.

Users who prioritize maximum speed or race performance will likely look toward longer, narrower boards, but those who value a balance of stability, comfort and touring capability can treat the Bayou Tour 11'6 as a capable workhorse. The full set of accessories, from the three-piece paddle and anti-weed fin to the backpack and repair kit, makes it a coherent package for people building out a SUP kit from scratch and planning to travel with their board packed down.