C-Forum

I'm a pretty light paddler (6' 2" and 150lbs) and was wondering how it would perform for me.

When the boats start showing up here in the states, I would be interested in trying someone's out. I love the way the boat sounds, but in the past I've always tried to stay in the mid to bottom of the weight range. (Recently, I've been questioning that philosophy though.)

Any idea yet what the US total cost will be yet?


Thanks,

David
Seymour, IN USA

I can tell you my logic in being interested in the boat. It is all conjecture until some Waveboys hit the river.

I would also like to hear comments from anyone else that has thought about the Wheelboy.

The Wheelboy (WB) is similar in volume to the Forplay - a kayak model that I converted and have been paddling for over a year. However, the WB is shorter and wider than the Forplay.

The extra width is the main reason on paper that attracts me to the WB. No converted kayak has this attribute. Also, based on the general feedback that is available from paddlers of experience, I believe that a boat designed as a C-1 will be a better performer for a CBoater than a kayak design- above and beyond the increase in width alone.

The downside to the WB, if there proves to be one, will probably be the short length - which will make the boat slower than some longer designs. Personally, I am willing to gamble that whatever technical loss of speed that I experience will be more than offset by the extra stability and overall confidence-building performance that I hope to get from the WB. When the fecal matter is in the fan, I plan to be upright, stable and paddling like hades more often in the WB than I am in my Forplay.

Regarding the weight range of the design, overall I think that I am the correct size for the Forplay, used as a playful river runner. I can squirt the ends of the boat. If I was better at my job, I could definitely cartwheel it in moving water. I don't experience accidental enders in typical class III water, and I can't speak from experience about more difficult water. Since the WB is similar in volume but wider and designed as a C-1, I hope it will be substantially more stable than the Forplay - and will still be more playful because of its short length.

I am 5'9" and weigh 170. If my thoughts prove to be accurate, you should be in the lower middle of the WB weight range, but tall enough to really work the boat. I definitely hope it works out that way!

The prices that I have heard work out to around $650 US for the boat, depending on the daily exchange rate. I have heard nothing specific about the shipping costs yet. I believe that Boise Bob is discussing that with Marko, and the ball is in Marko's court.

HI there !

here is few words how i wanted WB to work !

I'm 170 cm and 72 kg. count from that please !!

I wanted the boat that i could clean on flat , aerial loop on hole and 'Clean'helix on wave. Now i does all that.

Wheelboy has great hull speed and looseness . It can also release easy on 45 deg side/front surf to make you stay on a wave those trick offside slides.

There is enough edge for speed and rocker to bounce for thoe pan ams etc. see the video

The wheeling is simple. volume centered roundly and it goes faster than anythig else.

BUT here is the hard part.

If you come from c-1 slalom or massive groove or real c-1 you will rock immediately. if you have conversion backround you vill take a learningcurve to correct some knee/toearea volume mistakes.

All the best and see you in a eddy.

the boat is slightly large for me. I love it as it is but for winning the worlds few callons less for my weight range ... at least if we had same rules as in Graz 03.

HI

IHad a great paddling session today with great friends. After that session i desided that slightly larger boats have the fun factor that can be outscored only competition on a cartwheel hole.

ALso had fun trying out a ?new? flat move. It is just simple flat bouncing wheel but plenty of fun: Goes like this.

Start your clean cartwheel, rotate slow and slice deep then bounce rotate hard and land straight on stern. It will dive deep. As the sterns bouancy energy kicks, push the boat uppwith hips while in the air slam the bow down .... or try to backloop.
Bow is easy and same air present many time. backloops i crash like a fool every time but there is hope.