Just curious how many guys actually fish from a board. I can see the advantages esp. for flyfishermen as a great casting platform. I have seen a few guys on grapevine paddling around, but I have not seen any fisherman on them

Mariner Sails has several Native Versa Boards in stock, including a demo model for sale.

You are welcome to drop by, check one out, and even have one for your own.

We will be open today until 4pm and Monday from 9am to Noon. We will reopen on January 2nd.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Mike is that native versa board for fishing? I thought native kept anything for fishing under the headline Native watercraft is that right?

Mike when do you demo now a days? You still head out to WRL?

I haven't seen anyone fishing from them either. I would think in choppy water or the cold it wouldn't be much fun. The thing that bothers me is that the people I've seen on Grapevine with them aren't wearing PFD's. Are they not required on boards?

Surfers don't normally wear jackets either.
I'd like to see how a big paddle board works
On the brazos.

Yea I know. But they aren't surfing.

Shaun nailed it... When I go to the coast and see the surfers near fish pass or Bob Hall pier, I don't see any people who are out of shape or look like they couldn't swim a half a mile with ease. Many of the people I see on SUPs look like they'd be horrified if they actually got fully wet while doing it. And a lot of them probably couldn't swim more than a hundred yards on a choppy day. Recipe for disaster if you ask me.

As I understand there is still some gray areas when it comes to life vest on SUPs. The board itself is considered a floatation device so up till recently SUPs fell under a surf board catagory and life vest are not needed. This still holds true if paddeling in a swim zone (shallow water) or within the surf zone. Anything outside of that (is suppose to) require a life vest. BUT...if the SUP is leashed to the user via like an ankle leash, again the board itself is considered a floatation device and a vest is not needed.

I would like to add, I guess the big difference between an SUP and a kayak is that most SUPs are a solid chunk of flotation. Even if it is damaged pretty bad, it will still float. Many plastic kayaks will actually sink (or at least lose most of it's flotation) if the hull is compromised while in use.

Now this is how I understand it and the laws are still changing on the matter. So don't take what I say as the law! As always...safety first! You can ask 10 different people on this subject and you'll probably get 10 different answers!

Check out the native Versa on You tube, this lady is out catching flounder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwrlIXCrmwY

Note the distinct lack of PFD. strange I never noticed it before, but you guys are right NO one on Grapevine wheres one

When I was in Port A, I saw a guy with one that he'd rigged up some serious stuff on, looked kind of like this, only better. Even had the TX numbers on it for the TM. I figure on the brazos it'd be fine, anything close to whitecaps probably a no go.

I haven't fished from a true paddleboard but I did have a Diablo Adios for most of this year which is a sorta hybrid kayak/SUP. it's wide,stable,flat, and open. It was a great platform to fish from. Plenty of stability and adding the Larry chair for a high seat is nice. It's light weight for its size which was big for me. Really liked that kayak.

Ive seen paddleboards going down white water. I want one, for white water.

The Versa Board wears two badges. If it come from the factory with an angler package it is badged Native Watercraft. Likewise, without the angler package, it will wear the Liquid Logic badge.

Dollar wise, it is best to buy the Liquid Logic "non-angler" version so you can rig it as you want...not what the factory thinks you need everything placed. Gear-Trac will even add to the ease of your personal rigging preferences.

The Versa's are roto-molded poly just like most of our kayaks. They are hollow but do contain flotation. You guys would demolish a lightweight foam filled fiberglass shell in one outing. They just wouldnt stand up for fishing. The Versa also has a built-in skeg which aids in tracking without sacrificing maneuverability. The Versa can be used "as-is" with a molded rubber lined butt depression, or, there are quite a number of seating options. Available (from Legacy Paddlesports) are several SOT type seats, a full seat similar to the Ultimates that swivels, and my favorite...a seat that mounts over a medium sized ice chest.

As of now, there are no standard requirements under Texas laws regarding PFDs on SUPs so everything lives in a "gray" world. So, for now, the state is leaning on the US Coast Guard statutes. (This subject was covered months ago and I posted a copy of the official USCG regulations. Maybe it can be found in a search.) The USCG states that an SUP is considered a "vessel" and will fall subject to the same regulations. In a nutshell, you need to follow the same guidelines as you do for your kayaks.