Like you, I at first thought SUP's seemed kind of .... well, let's just say I sure didn't see myself ever getting one.

Then this summer I borrowed a friend's inflatable SUP for a few days while out coastal cruising. Hmmm, I may have to eat my words! It weighed around 20#, inflated or deflated for storage very quickly, and, like an inflatable dinghy, was "self-fendering" against the mother ship. It felt very "free" to just hop on (staying dry if desired) and "walk" around the anchorage. And it was like having a work platform too - I used it to take out a second bow anchor once. Like a rowboat, it was easy to stop and talk to folks. Definitely a good workout. I was charmed.

On the "down" side: Clearly much less efficient than rowing, or paddling a kayak, and not going to be a "freighter" like a rowing dinghy can be. I went out in some wind and had to kneel down just to reduce windage.

The one I used is from NRS. They have a few different sizes and each come in two different thicknesses (to support more or less weight).