The ISLE 10’5 Versa ® Standup Paddle Board is a lightweight design which fits those who want to paddle with ease and convenience. Built with a sleek bow nose, it can move at a fast speed across oceans and bays. It can even glide and maneuver easily above choppy currents. Among all other inflatables on the market, this brand offers more special functions for flatwater cruising and ocean paddling. Check out our ISLE 10’5 Versa Standup Paddle Board Review!
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Features and specifications
- Weight: 27 pounds
- Full dimensions: 10’5 x 32″ x 4.5″
- Maximum rider’s weight limit: 275 pounds
- Comes with a nose mounted handle and 4-point bungee system to accommodate all your gear
- Made of military-grade PVC material for high durability
- Includes several accessories like a 3-piece aluminum adjustable paddle, high pressure pump and gauge, detachable travel fin, and a repair kit
- Includes a 2-year warranty for material defect coverage
Pros
- Lightweight yet stable
Although this is lighter than any conventional hard boards on the market, this unit is still as stable as it can be. It can hold itself very well against winds and chop, even better than smaller ones. You can definitely get the right stability if you want to paddle around strong currents.
- Durable
The PVC material used for this board is military grade meaning that it can endure the basic wear and tear when you go against rugged waters. You can be ensured that you can’t damage this board even if you store it away for a long time in an attic or garage. The dropstitch sewing method fortifies the hold of the materials together.
- Portable and saves space
You can carry this board with much ease by deflating and rolling it up in a bag. This makes its transportation as easy as possible as compared to hard boards for which you need to make room at the back of your truck. Storage is easy as you only need to roll it in a bag for safe keeping. If you want to use it, just inflate it with a manual or electronic pump and wait until it gets stiff.
- Fast
Although most inflatables are quite slow due to their great buoyancy, this unit is an exception because of its sleek bow nose design which accelerates its speed across bays and oceans. It can glide easily against water currents, making it fast to move.
Cons
- Hard to turn
A few customers noted that this board follows a straight track no matter which side you paddle. This is especially true if you are still a neophyte in paddling. If you want to buy this unit, learn how to turn this board first before you try it in open seas. Moving towards the back of the board seem to make turns a bit easier as attested by some users.
- Takes time to inflate
Some customers reported that inflating this board up to 12 psi takes too much time. You also need to put much energy in pumping the manual pump to get it moving. This is definitely a great burden if you don’t have the patience to do it. If you want to inflate this board faster and easier, get a good electrical pump that fits the valve of the board.
- Heavy paddle
A few customers complained that the paddle is a bit heavy for their preference. This is highly expected since the paddle is made of aluminum. You need to exert a lot of effort to use it effectively. If you want a lighter paddle, you can try the Ten Toes iSUP Inflatable Standup Paddleboard.
Verdict
This paddle board is suitable for those who want a fast unit for their paddling experience. Although this provides much convenience to users, this may not work well for beginners since you need to turn this board skillfully. Nevertheless, this is the perfect board for those who want to ocean paddle and flatwater cruise.
Comparison with other products
As compared to the Vilano Voyager, the [easyazon_link identifier=”B01C4YUB7Q” locale=”US” tag=”paddleboardthrills-20″]ISLE Versa[/easyazon_link] has a slightly higher length by 1’. Though both boards have the same inflatable features, the ISLE Versa has a longer warranty offered; the Vilano Voyager offers a 1-year warranty while the ISLE Versa offers 2 years. It is also faster in speed due to its great bow nose design.
In comparison to the Bestway Inflatable Hydro-Force Wave Edge, the ISLE Versa is lighter and bigger. Interestingly, both boards use the same dropstitch technology that strengthens the material used. They also have the same portable features that you can’t beat in an iSUP board. However, the ISLE Versa can handle more weight than its rival by 55 pounds.
