Thanks for all your comments, Wendy. I enjoy reading your posts every single time since they´re always interesting, accurate and - funny.
I ordered an Octane 85 myself but won´t get it before another fortnight. So I´m more than curious since I did what I did 2 yrs ago when I suddenly decided to get an Ion: never seen it, never paddled it before - but just ordered one, hopped in and was happy ever since!
So keep up the good work - and by God, I just hope that mine will be delivered without any spider, otherwise l might break the airbags due to screaming...
The boat weighs 48 pounds without airbags. Very easy to carry, and stable enough to paddle class II while sitting on the thwart. I will post more feedback when I get it on some class 3/4. In flat water a slight forward lean engages the chines so it goes fast and straight with ease. Easiest short boat yet to do flat water sprints.
I got the Octane 85 out on the Nanty today, hopefully FB9 or Noli tomorrow. The boats is still loads of fun. At my 200 pounds it is wetter than the L'Edge, but I used wave blocking skills and dumped. Eli teaches us to use prys and draws, on and off side up front rather than stern strokes. IN the L'Edge I practice this alot, but with the forward part of the 85 being more narrow these strokes are easy to do. Eli would be proud. Jeremy said this boat is a river runner and it is an excellent one. When I did get in the shallows I did catch some edges on rocks as predicted which does not happen with the softened chines of the L'Edge. I would be interested in racing this boat. Jeremy carried the chines far forward so a little forward lean and the boat tracks so easily in a straight line.
Mohawk airbags fill put the bow much better than the,lightweight Harmony bag. The boat was much dryer.
