Currently looking for a new playboat, at the moment I'm in a Pyranha S8(225), I'm 6ft and 80kg. My big plan is to get something shorter and more comfortable... I've kind of narrowed it down to the WS Project, EZG and Bliss-stick RAD. I can flatwater cartwheel the S8, are these smaller boats with more volume up front going to be easier or harder on the flatwater?? Is there another boat I should be looking at? I would love a look at a Jackson 4fun but theres no dealer in my state and i'm hesitant to get one sight unseen. Advice and opininons would be appreciated, cheers

The Project and EZG are two pretty different boats. It would depend on what you want out of the boat.

If you're in the right weight range for the given boat, a shorter, fat boat like the project will be harder to cartwheel. All good boats though.

I'm slightly taller (6'4\") and of similar weight (83 kg) and I paddle the Fluid Flirt (the Medium size, I guess that would be a good size for you too).

It cartwheels on the flat very easily and I especially like the volume in the back. It makes the boat very symmetrical and easy to wheel and stall.

After some fiddling around with the outfitting the Flirt is really comfy and paddling a few hours is not a problem at all (disregarding my complete lack of shape, but that has got nothing to do with the boat ).

I don't know if you can test a Flirt in your area but if you can, give it a try.

Cheers,

Michiel

michielv wrote:

I'm slightly taller (6'4\") and of similar weight (83 kg) and I paddle the Fluid Flirt (the Medium size, I guess that would be a good size for you too).

It cartwheels on the flat very easily and I especially like the volume in the back. It makes the boat very symmetrical and easy to wheel and stall.

After some fiddling around with the outfitting the Flirt is really comfy and paddling a few hours is not a problem at all (disregarding my complete lack of shape, but that has got nothing to do with the boat ).

I don't know if you can test a Flirt in your area but if you can, give it a try.

Cheers,

Michiel

I was at the Fluid factory on Saturday and had a look at the new Nemesis plug. The mould should arrive within 3 weeks and then production begins. More of a playboat than the Flirt but without the nice river running characteristics that the Flirt offers. Nice looking boat, the Nemesis. Can't wait to try one out. The new outfitting is very good indeed. Simple, functional and comfy.

thanks guys,

I really only say the project because I sat in one recently a found it quite luxurious! Most retailers in my area are limited on test boats and theres not enough water around to just go to a local play spot and check out what everyones got. Ideally I'd like a boat with a bit of hull speed,paddling mostly rivers (III-IV), playing at every known opportunity - as you do... Just came accross that LL Cross river (125)??? I'll be looking into that Flirt though, Hows the footroom michielv? Realistically the EZG is more what I'm after - ur right Adrian

cheers

Brenno_60 wrote:

thanks guys,

I really only say the project because I sat in one recently a found it quite luxurious! Most retailers in my area are limited on test boats and theres not enough water around to just go to a local play spot and check out what everyones got. Ideally I'd like a boat with a bit of hull speed,paddling mostly rivers (III-IV), playing at every known opportunity - as you do... Just came accross that LL Cross river (125)??? I'll be looking into that Flirt though, Hows the footroom michielv? Realistically the EZG is more what I'm after - ur right Adrian

cheers

If you found the Project luxurious, the EZG is the same I've got the EZG60 and love it. I've got a review on it, check out the front page, if it's still there.

To answer the foot room, I am around 6 foot and even manage to fit into a small Flirt, just. The medium has the room. Michiel is no doubt quite a bit taller than me.

I know Chris (Urge) had the LL CR125. He loved it.

Brenno, i'm from Perth and got a 4Fun unseen from Jez at Entropy Gear in Sydney and haven't regretted it at all. It's a great river runner, really comfortable, light and best of all really dry when you wear a drytop. Take a look at the jackson website, the specs on paddler size are very accurate and are what I used to pick mine, I'm 192cm and 85kg with size 13 feet if that helps. I took a chance but it's proved to be well worth it.
Cheers

Give a RAD a go if you can, I bought one recently and I find it really comfy. I havnt tried it in white water yet but I'll probably take it across to Eildon later in the year. Ive been using it in the surf and its been great, very easy to roll.

MJT, how do you find that back band system? Can you get it tight enough compared to the ratchet system? 4Fun seems the ducks guts otherwise. And Andee, how do you find the huill speed of the RAD? Can you get going on the green ok in the surf?

Brenno_60 wrote:

thanks guys,

I'll be looking into that Flirt though, Hows the footroom michielv?
cheers

Being 6'5\" with 36\" inseam and size 11 feet I can fit in the Flirt medium without any problems. Granted, at first I was having some problems but once I set the seat back a notch and adjusted the thigh braces I am really happy with it.

I live in Holland where there's no white water for the next few 100 kilomters or something so flatwater performance was an issue. The flirt is very fast when cartwheeling but it's also very easy once you get the feeling.

In the past few years I've tried and owned numerous boats (Riot, Dagger) but the Flirt is going to stay for a while. Although the Nemesis will be nice to try (the Fluid dealer is only 25 kilometres from where I live ) but my budget does not allow me another boat (especially not when I am happy with my current one). Besides, I need money and room for the indoor climbing wall me and my mate are going to build in my garage.

Considering you're living at the coast you should perhaps try out the Wave Sport ZG54. Very, very nice little boat. I know you said demo's are limited but try and get hold of a couple of different boats.

Or perhaps even a dedicated surf boat considering your lack of rivers too.. Might be a good option.

I've only taken it into big surf once and had a bit of trouble there (probably my inexperience) however on average size surf its been great and stays on the green allright. I cant really give you a comparison though, I'm new to playboating. I usually paddle round in a pool in polo boats .

Can you loop it andee? cool move to bust out in the pool against a stinky aquabat!

Should have kept my old riot Trickster - awesome boat in the surf! Super fast hull speed and carved like a knife, a bit unforgiving when I messed up though.......

Starting to narrow it down:

fluid flirt (meduim)
Jackson 4fun
Wavesport ZG54, EZG50/?60
Bliss stick RAD 185/Super RAD 180

Brenno_60 wrote:

Can you loop it andee? cool move to bust out in the pool against a stinky aquabat!

haha nah not yet, still have to learn. The bloke that sold me the rad showed me some loops and cartwheels in it though.

Brenno_60 wrote:

Can you loop it andee? cool move to bust out in the pool against a stinky aquabat!

Should have kept my old riot Trickster - awesome boat in the surf! Super fast hull speed and carved like a knife, a bit unforgiving when I messed up though.......

Starting to narrow it down:

fluid flirt (meduim)
Jackson 4fun
Wavesport ZG54, EZG50/?60
Bliss stick RAD 185/Super RAD 180

You'll be able to loop all those boats on flat water I'm pretty sure. I can now loop both the EZG60 and ZG54 on the flats. In the right hole, you'll be able to loop anything, including a creek boat.

AdrianTregoning wrote:

Considering you're living at the coast you should perhaps try out the Wave Sport ZG54. Very, very nice little boat. I know you said demo's are limited but try and get hold of a couple of different boats.

Or perhaps even a dedicated surf boat considering your lack of rivers too.. Might be a good option.

I have owned and paddled a few different surfkayaks (Mega Xray, Maverick, Marauder) but found that although they rule when you're surfing and can make even small waves fun if you're trying to surf you can't really do anything else in them. Being limited time-wise and not always able to go out in the best conditions I found that a slightly less ideal boat that allows some playing and fun in supersmall/almost flat conditions suits my needs better.

If you want to get started with a surfkayak, try the Mega PE Neutron. It's roomy, stable, surfs very nicely and a lot cheaper than the composite surfkayaks.

Just my 2 cents,

Michiel

Or try out the new Fluid Element. A surf kayak in plastic. I tried one of the protos on a river wave and another in some good surf, very nice indeed. I was really, really impressed. Not out yet. Should be out in the next two months I reckon.

With enough skill, you can run rivers with it too. Check out Andrews video here:
www.fluidkayaks.co.za/Junction_061204.htm
And some pictures here: (running #9 on the Zam in an Element...)
www.fluidkayaks.co.za/Junction_061109.htm

if you had the chance try a riot flair, it's a fast boat a upgraded version of the air and can cartwheel too.

'MJT, how do you find that back band system? Can you get it tight enough compared to the ratchet system? 4Fun seems the ducks guts otherwise. And Andee, how do you find the huill speed of the RAD? Can you get going on the green ok in the surf?'

Brenno I retro fitted the new back band systen in and find it is much better than the rachet. It's more convenient and you can crank it really tight as it works like a 2:1 pulley. I also found the old system's backband kept dropping too low, thats been stopped with the new system.

I found the CR to be a great river running boat held up well in 4-5 very balanced volume and very comfy! I wore Teva Gammas inside no problem I had the seat quite forward and it was nice in holes and river waves.

It will cartwheel on the flat but it is harder as it has loads more volume than a playboat, I ended up getting a Ronin49 for all out play as I have a creek boat and wasnt really using the CR as much as it deserve so sold it. The Ronin is very fast on a wave loose, great playboat but much tighter fitting and not as comfortable. That said I have paddled it down some grade 4s was ok but wouldnt recommend doing that to newer paddlers!

If your after one boat to do it all in comfort and still play well on moving water then the CR is a very nice boat to use, as is the EZG if a bit more playful! IF you want an all out play machine and have another boat for river running then get such a boat like the ronin or project etc! Im a short ass but around 75kgs and find the ronin more comfortable than the project but depending on you inside leg you may require the bigger boat. Give them a try

I'm 5'10 and 82kg with size 10 feet. I've just bought a boat and it had to be comfortable for me to buy it.
I've paddles the RAD 175-185 Both are great boats fast on a wave and very loose.The 175 was a little small in volume but still had plenty of room.

The project 52 is just uncomfortable as is the ZG 54 didn't like them at all.

Paddled a s6f 192, again a little small for me and much more cramped than the RAD's it also didn't perform as well as them.

Crazy88 6.3 another nice boat but a bit big for me but very forgiving and comfy.
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Fluid flirt meduim is also a very comfy boat and goes well but I found it bulky. Nice boat but it didn't ecite me at all.

The boat I settled on was a Riot Astro 54 is does every thing the other boats do but is poppy and slicey at the same time, its also very comfy for me.