The Body Glove Mariner XL is a stable inflatable fishing SUP that provides outstanding versatility and plenty of room for customization. Anglers are sure to appreciate the ability to attach Railblaza rod holders and other accessories to the board, and the Mariner XL is super easy to transport and set up…
A worldwide leader in the watersports industry, Body Glove continues to expand its popular range of inflatable paddle boards and the company’s lineup features a total of 10 iSUP models for 2019. With boards ranging in size from 10′ to 15′ in length, Body Glove’s inflatable SUPs are great for all-around paddling, SUP fitness, fishing, multi-paddler fun, and more.
In this review of the Body Glove Mariner XL fishing iSUP, we’ll take a look at the board’s specs and features, construction, performance, pros and cons, included accessories, warranty, and more. Also, for those who enjoy video, we’ve included several on this page including our in-depth review, setup, and unboxing videos.
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Body Glove Mariner XL Review: SUP Overview
Measuring 11′ x 34″ x 6″ and weighing in at 25 pounds, the Body Glove Mariner XL is a board that offers outstanding stability. SUP fishing is an activity that requires a stable platform and this iSUP really delivers.
Body Glove actually has two inflatable fishing SUPs in their lineup this season. The Mariner XL is the larger of the two, providing an inch of added thickness over the smaller Mariner for increased buoyancy and stiffness.
Features
The Mariner XL features a beautiful blue and orange design that looks amazing on the water. While there are fishing SUPS that offer more in terms of onboard storage capacity and features, Body Glove has included some nice options on the Mariner XL that serious anglers are sure to love.
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Covering the top deck of the board is a comfortable EVA foam traction pad that provides excellent grip thanks to the diamond groove traction pattern. Located in the middle of the deck pad is a premium carry handle that features two D-rings for attaching accessories and a Velcro closure for securing your water bottle or SUP paddle.
Also located mid-board are two SUP cooler tie-down points at the rails. These are well-positioned and will keep your cooler positioned within arm’s reach at all times. The location of the tie-downs also allows you to sit comfortably on your cooler.
Near the front of the traction pad are two Railblaza accessory mounts that make it easy to attach fishing rod holders, a fish finder, and other SUP accessories. These Railblaza mounts really allow you to customize the board to suit your own preferences.
At the nose of the Mariner XL is a 6-point bungee storage area for securing your dry bag, tackle box, and other fishing gear. Body Glove used nylon webbed attachment points at the nose — we actually prefer stainless steel D-rings as they’re much easier to work with when using tie-down straps. We also wish that they had positioned the attachment points closer to the rails as this would result in greater cargo capacity.
Also positioned at the nose is Body Glove’s Anchor Line Guide — a convenient add-on for those times when you want to anchor down for an afternoon at your favorite fishing spot.
Located at the Mariner XL’s tail are a high-quality inflation valve and durable metal D-ring for attaching the included coiled ankle leash.
On the underside of the board’s nose is a thick rubber bumper which boosts durability and prevents damage to the board caused by rocky beaches and concrete loading ramps. This is a nice feature to have and Body Glove includes this protective bumper on most of their other inflatable paddle boards.
Lastly, at the tail are three permanently fixed fins. These unbreakable fins are made out of a hard plastic material and offer excellent rigidity — they’re not soft gummy fins that you sometimes see on other iSUPs.
Construction
The Body Glove Mariner XL features a durable drop-stitch core and multiple layers of tough PVC material. The company has also bolstered the overall rigidity of the board by incorporating their Triple-Layer Stringer down the middle of the board and the Mariner XL feels nice and stiff under the feet.
Paddling Performance
On the water, the Mariner XL is extremely stable and confidence-inspiring. Whether you’re casting, reeling in fish, or dealing with boat chop, this board provides excellent overall stability.
This is also a fun board for all-around paddling and it’s great for cruising with kids or your pup.
While tracking performance is sufficient, things could definitely be improved by a larger center fin. The three medium-sized fins are great for those times when you’re paddling through shallow water, however.
Setup Video
Likes and Dislikes
SUP fishing has exploded in popularity over the past several years as more anglers have discovered the many advantages of fishing from a paddle board. Inflatable SUPs really take things to the next level in terms of portability and convenience, and Body Glove’s Mariner XL is a solid choice if you’re looking for a fishing board.
Body Glove did a wonderful job on the overall design of the Mariner XL and we love the board’s color scheme and graphics. We’re also happy with the performance of the board and its outstanding versatility means you can do a whole lot more with it than simply SUP fishing.
The Railblaza mounts are really easy to use and open up a world of possibilities when it comes to personalization and the Anchor Line Guide and Velcro carrying handle are nice options to have.
We also really like the fact that the Mariner XL comes with everything that you need to start paddling. There’s no need to buy a separate paddle or leash as it’s all right there in the box.
In terms of dislikes, there are a few things that we would improve upon. First of all, for a fishing SUP, we found the onboard storage to be a bit limited. Absent is a rear bungee storage area and the front bungee cargo area is a bit on the small side.
We’d also love to see some additional tie-downs along the rail and the use of metal D-rings at the nose instead of nylon-webbed loops. Adding a grab handle at the board’s nose and tail would also be great as it would make the Mariner XL easier to handle in and around the water.
Body Glove Mariner XL
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Specs
| Length | 11' | |
| Width | 34" | |
| Thickness | 6" | |
| Weight | 25 pounds | |
| Max Capacity | 320 pounds |
What’s Included
As mentioned, Body Glove includes a complete bundle of SUP accessories with the Mariner XL. Included is everything you need to get on the water and more, making this an especially attractive package for beginners who don’t already own gear.
In the box is a nice wheeled SUP backpack, three-piece aluminum shaft paddle, dual-action hand pump, coiled safety leash, iSUP repair kit, and waterproof phone case.
Unboxing Video
Backpack
The included carrying bag is nicer than the one that’s included with the Body Glove Performer 11 which we reviewed last year. The Mariner XL’s backpack features two roller wheels positioned on the bottom of the pack, making it a lot more convenient to use if you’re walking longer distances.
On the front of the bag is a clear zippered storage pouch for organizing small accessories. There are also external compression straps for cinching up the load once the bag is packed.
This bag features grab handles on the top and side and the bottom of the pack is nicely reinforced and covered by a strong rubber material for added durability.
One unique feature of this backpack is the fact that the left side is made out of a breathable rubber mesh material. This somewhat open design allows air to flow freely into the bag, perfect for drying out the pack’s interior storage area and wet gear.
Located on the backside of the pack are two adjustable shoulder straps which feature a sternum strap for added stabilization. There’s also an adjustable waist belt near the bottom of the bag.
Overall, we’re really happy with Body Glove’s wheeled iSUP backpack and the only thing we’d change is the location of the wheels — positioning them on the front of the bag would prevent the wheels from digging into your backside when the pack is on your back. This would also be a better placement for the wheels when those times when you’re rolling the bag along the ground as it prevents the straps from dragging on the ground.
Paddle
Also included with the Mariner XL is a black aluminum three-piece travel paddle. The paddle has a durable nylon blade and it quickly assembles by sliding the shaft pieces together and then locking them into place with the locking pin and clasp.
Pump
Body Glove’s iSUP pump is a nice dual-action model that does a good job of inflating the board to the recommended pressure of 15 PSI. The pump comes with a flexible inflation hose that screws onto the back of the pump’s handle and there’s a convenient built-in pressure gauge which tells you exactly how much air you have in your board during the inflation process.
Leash
As a big supporter of water safety, Body Glove includes a safety leash with all of their inflatable SUPs. The included leash features a durable coiled cord which stays out of the water when you’re paddling and the ankle cuff is well-padded with neoprene for comfort.
Integrated into the ankle cuff is a handy hidden key storage pocket and the leash has metal swivels at both ends to prevent tangles while you’re out on the water.
Repair Kit
Also included with the Mariner XL is an iSUP repair kit. The kit is housed in a high-visibility orange plastic container with a screw on top and it includes two color-coded PVC patches, a valve wrench, and a tube of adhesive.
Waterproof Phone Pouch
As a bonus, Body Glove also includes a waterproof phone pouch. This is great to have around the water as it’ll protect your smartphone from getting damaged and allow you to receive calls, listen to tunes, and use your favorite apps.
Warranty
All of Body Glove’s inflatable paddle boards include a one-year warranty which covers you in the event of a manufacturing defect.
Where to Buy it
The Mariner XL can be purchased from several places online, including various sporting goods retailers, and Body Glove’s official website.
Final Thoughts
The Mariner XL is a board that’s definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a lightweight, portable inflatable fishing SUP that offers plenty of room for customization. The board’s outstanding stability makes it a really enjoyable SUP to fish from and the versatile design works well for a variety of other paddling activities.