I finally got my WheelBoy wet
Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 4:11 pm
I've had to wait 5 weeks for this big event -- break out the champagne.
First, my stats -- 6' 185 lbs, previous playboat Robson NRG.
I went to a pool session last night and my first positive experience was hearing the kayakers say; where did you get that boat?, it looks like a surfing machine, who makes it?, and I love the hull design. I tell them its a play boat designed from the ground up as a C1 -- it's not a kayak and it never will be a kayak.
The first test, does the WB live up to ithe hull speed hype?
Oh, yes! It track straight with ease and requires fewer correction strokes. I tillt it on its side and it just goes. When I really dig in and aggressively initiate my stroke far forward, the WB bow enters the water. As I continue the stroke, the bow nicely moves through the water and resurfaces with grace and does not alter the boats tracking. This characteristic means the WB is going to be a very good performer on the river. Spud boats usually don't track well.
Is it really a WheelBoy?
Oh, yes! Marko said there is a difference between cartwheeling a converted kayak versus a WB, so there would be a small learning curve -- he is right. The WB's volume distribution designed for the kneeling position makes a huge difference. In the end, when you keep your body centered over the cockpit and keep a good boat-slicing angle, this baby just wheels and wheels. It's excellent secondary stability allows me to really drive my knee down to achieve a good slice angle and initiate downward momentum. I often use hand paddles to perfect my technique and lets just say I had a good time. It's clear I have used a compromising technique for my converted kayak to compensate for the kayak's design.
What about the outfitting?
C1 outfitting is a personal thing and I have built a bulkhead -- which is still work in progress. The console insert and seat height is just fine. I find the fancy neoprene foam gets slippery when wet, but is very comfortable. I have reduced the cockpit rim flex because the bulkhead provides additional structure in the front and I placed a 1" thick piece of foam on the back of the console. I plan on adding a hip grabber in the future -- this may be a custom job or Marko is working on a hip grabber for the WB. Because the WB is a balanced C1 design, I did find it less important to have a hip grabber. The remaining cockpit flex is not an issue.
Conclusion:
This review is from a swimming pool, so the best is yet to come in the spring on the river. If you want a play boat for your C1 pleasures, the WB is it--period! Marko has designed a winner that will significantly improve your C1 play boating skills and advance C1 play boating. I can't wait until I put this baby in a big fat high-volume wave hole and really test drive the WB. In my opinion, the only reason to convert a kayak is because you haven't yet save enough money to buy a WB. Larry, I now know why you kissed your WB -- I love this baby!
Boise Bob
First, my stats -- 6' 185 lbs, previous playboat Robson NRG.
I went to a pool session last night and my first positive experience was hearing the kayakers say; where did you get that boat?, it looks like a surfing machine, who makes it?, and I love the hull design. I tell them its a play boat designed from the ground up as a C1 -- it's not a kayak and it never will be a kayak.
The first test, does the WB live up to ithe hull speed hype?
Oh, yes! It track straight with ease and requires fewer correction strokes. I tillt it on its side and it just goes. When I really dig in and aggressively initiate my stroke far forward, the WB bow enters the water. As I continue the stroke, the bow nicely moves through the water and resurfaces with grace and does not alter the boats tracking. This characteristic means the WB is going to be a very good performer on the river. Spud boats usually don't track well.
Is it really a WheelBoy?
Oh, yes! Marko said there is a difference between cartwheeling a converted kayak versus a WB, so there would be a small learning curve -- he is right. The WB's volume distribution designed for the kneeling position makes a huge difference. In the end, when you keep your body centered over the cockpit and keep a good boat-slicing angle, this baby just wheels and wheels. It's excellent secondary stability allows me to really drive my knee down to achieve a good slice angle and initiate downward momentum. I often use hand paddles to perfect my technique and lets just say I had a good time. It's clear I have used a compromising technique for my converted kayak to compensate for the kayak's design.
What about the outfitting?
C1 outfitting is a personal thing and I have built a bulkhead -- which is still work in progress. The console insert and seat height is just fine. I find the fancy neoprene foam gets slippery when wet, but is very comfortable. I have reduced the cockpit rim flex because the bulkhead provides additional structure in the front and I placed a 1" thick piece of foam on the back of the console. I plan on adding a hip grabber in the future -- this may be a custom job or Marko is working on a hip grabber for the WB. Because the WB is a balanced C1 design, I did find it less important to have a hip grabber. The remaining cockpit flex is not an issue.
Conclusion:
This review is from a swimming pool, so the best is yet to come in the spring on the river. If you want a play boat for your C1 pleasures, the WB is it--period! Marko has designed a winner that will significantly improve your C1 play boating skills and advance C1 play boating. I can't wait until I put this baby in a big fat high-volume wave hole and really test drive the WB. In my opinion, the only reason to convert a kayak is because you haven't yet save enough money to buy a WB. Larry, I now know why you kissed your WB -- I love this baby!
Boise Bob