Another Wheelboy review
Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2004 11:49 pm
I finally got to test my Wheelboy out today. For the record, I'm 6'0", 200 lbs (probably closer to 210 with all my winter gear on). My hat's off to Pawel, Marko and all the others at Drakkar. This is an excellent boat, even for someone my weight. I ran the N. Santiam, a class II-III run, at a medium-low level of about 1200 cfs. I'd never had the boat in the water before (even a pool), but was immediately comfortable in it. The most immediately noticeable thing was the stability of the boat compared to kayak conversions. I was as stable doing offside eddy turns, peel outs, and cross strokes (while playing) as I am in my Atom. At the same time, I could bow stall (for a little while anyway) with one good solid forward stroke and a good lean. I was able to greatly reduce the number of balance strokes and braces I use during playing compared to my experiences in conversions. Rolling is cake.
The best thing about the boat is the stern. The extra volume gave me much more control during cartwheels. In my Id (which has a very low volume stern), I have a hard time not going past vertical and flopping over during stern ends. In the Wheelboy, I could lean back much more without losing control during cartwheels (eddyline and flat water), and could therefore control my angle with more precision. And for a boat it's size, it had good hull speed - I never had to dig too hard to make the moves I wanted to.
I don't really have any negatives to report. The bow did pearl during aggressive forward strokes, and I had to lean back more in rapids than with my Id, but that shouldn't be hard to get used to. Also, I was not very successful in catching waves on the fly - the hull is somewhat slower than the Id. That also should get easier with a little more practice. I found it to be a great play boat, and a very good river runner for class II-III. Can't wait until the local play holes come in.
All in all, an excellent boat. I'm done with converting. Great job Drakkar! Can't wait to see the Fatboy.
Matt
p.s. I received my spray skirt from Drakkar in the mail on Friday, just in time to go boating - thanks guys. It was completely dry and seemed bomber - another great product.
The best thing about the boat is the stern. The extra volume gave me much more control during cartwheels. In my Id (which has a very low volume stern), I have a hard time not going past vertical and flopping over during stern ends. In the Wheelboy, I could lean back much more without losing control during cartwheels (eddyline and flat water), and could therefore control my angle with more precision. And for a boat it's size, it had good hull speed - I never had to dig too hard to make the moves I wanted to.
I don't really have any negatives to report. The bow did pearl during aggressive forward strokes, and I had to lean back more in rapids than with my Id, but that shouldn't be hard to get used to. Also, I was not very successful in catching waves on the fly - the hull is somewhat slower than the Id. That also should get easier with a little more practice. I found it to be a great play boat, and a very good river runner for class II-III. Can't wait until the local play holes come in.
All in all, an excellent boat. I'm done with converting. Great job Drakkar! Can't wait to see the Fatboy.
Matt
p.s. I received my spray skirt from Drakkar in the mail on Friday, just in time to go boating - thanks guys. It was completely dry and seemed bomber - another great product.