C-Forum

Since Isaac brought this up in another post, I thought I'd finally get around to posting my thoughts on this boat.

In short, for the type of paddling I like to do (river running, surf on the fly, a bit of hole playing, in what some call "big" (as in Hudson, but also works on, say, the ottawa;) )), it is the best boat I've paddled to date. You can catch waves you can not in longer boats (like a Viper, Acrobat, or slalom boat), yet it is still fairly fast (much faster than, say, a Wheelboy (which is also a great boat).

It's faster, lighter, MORE stable (for my 160lb carcass anyway), and easier to spin (slicy ends).

It will most likely be the next boat I purchase, and unlike most of the collection, I'll be purchasing it new (as no one I know would want to part with theirs!)

It is, in my humble opinion, one of the most under-rated CBoats of all time. If Dagger, or Perception, or any major marketing power had come up with a plastic version we'd be after it just as fast (or faster) than the Wheelboys or Fatboy (WHEN it get's here...have to keep thinking positive thoughts!).

To me, the fact that it's glass makes it all the better...but that's certainly a personal thing.

I'm sure other's (Martin? PAC? Beads (if you're still checking CBoats!)?) will want to chime in as well with there thoughts (not to mention the designers .

I would like to see this post become an informative and opinionated one just like the old Wheelboy posts....

My TOG review of the Sith (great name by the way - an evil boat just because you don't own one) compared to the WB and new Pagan...
http://cboats.net/cforum/viewtopic.php?t=5332
A very fun design! Enjoy! Paul C.

PS: TOG = Team Old Guy

Based on the clip I saw on shaggy design, the sith looks sick on the wave because it look like a very fast boat. I am kinda tired paddling a slow C1, not too fun to catch the waves. Can't have all of the yaker having too much fun.

n

There are only two in the US- both are in NC. Neither is for sale that I know of. However, I'll be at GAF and will bring the Sith there if anyone wants to demo it-

It is faster than the wheelboy, but they are two different boats- the wheelboy is a bow stalling machine for me and the Sith is awesome for stern squirting, thats about the extent of my tricks unless I get lucky and PAC can show me the secret spot on slippery rock creek and the river does cartwheeling for me.

At my weight the Sith is more stable than the wheelboy, but I felt too light in the bigboy. I think they are both fast for their size, but the Sith is faster. I'm 5'5" 195.

Bill

First of all, thanks everyone for your positive reviews!

Adam - you have hit the nail on the head concerning what the Sith was designed for. Both of us do much of our paddling on the Ottawa now, where having a faster boat means the surfing is much better, and running the river is great fun! There are quite a few spots that we usually have to ourselves because none of the kayaks out there can get to or onto them (such as the centre wave left of corner wave, hero wave, lunchstop waves, etc). The length and defined edges mean that it 'glides' well into and out of eddies.

Our aim when we designed the Sith was for something that would be fun to paddle, fast and stable. We think that we succeeded - I certainly have fun every time I go paddling! The boat does have limitations though - the low volume ends are not that suitable for steep creeking (I got thoroughly played with on the Wairoa and Rangitikei in NZ!), and the wideness of the hull means that the quick edge transitions needed for getting big air are more difficult to do on bigger waves.

To address this last point, we designed the Pagan. It is a breeze to blunt on corner wave, but it is not as stable, and slower since it is shorter than the Sith. The edges are a lot rounder, so it doesn't get 'played with' nearly as much in confused water.

If anyone is interested in having a paddle in one of our boats, please don't hesitate to get in touch via the website. We will do our best to lend you a boat or put you in touch with someone who has a demo boat!

Thanks
Gwyn Ashcroft
www.shaggydesigns.com

Hiya Gwyn,
If you guys ever get over here (Switzerland) with your toys, give me a call. I'd love to demo them. UNfortunately, rivers around here (I live between Bern and Thun) tend to be hard on glass, but it doesn't stop me using it! I'm playing a repeat of the Swiss Armada next year...date and location to be decided. Might be a good time to show it off
Cheers,
Matt