Wanting Blink Impressions

[SandyO]

I am trying to decide on a Blink and would like some more opinions on the boat. I currently paddle a Blackfly Option which I really like, but am looking for a lighter boat that will carry a bit more speed.


Sandy

[Bob P]

See this?

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7968178&hilit=blink" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[craig]

I also paddle an Option. My Blink is waiting for enough open water to be able to paddle it we'll enough to compare. Things around here are either too low or iced in but that should change soon. I here it paddles like a Stinkeye fwiw. I wanted a light weight creek boat for runs with a hike in or a hike out

[Wendy]

Sandy, have you paddled Helen's Shacho?

[SandyO]

Graig - I look forward to you review.

Wendy - Yes I did briefly try Helen's Shacho. I need some more seat time in the boat, but I think I am leaning toward the Blink.

[craig]

I was able to take the Blink out yesterday. It is a deeper boat than the Option so it took me a while to get used to swinging the paddle over cleanly. It surfs quite nicely breaks the waves away very well. It is a very quick boat to get moving from a dead stop. I did not baby it and went over a few rocks intentionally and a few unintentionally one was a broken granite boulder at a broken dam that took me and the boat out of the water and made a nasty sound. I put a couple scrapes in it but nothing requiring repair. I would say it is not a lot faster than an Option overall but is easier to paddle because it is lighter. I did not try to roll it in the ice water we paddled. Very stable and nimble(similar to Option) I will keep my Option especially for low water runs, but this is a nice addition to the fleet. Fwiw I am 6' 195#

[craig]

I paddled it pretty hard today on a low water rocky cl 3 + I was very pleased with its overall performance. I was noticeably less tired at the end of the run than had I paddled ( translation; more fun - less effort! ). Boat held up well to lots of bumping and grinding.

[ezwater]

Sounds nice. Now I need a larger version, made of poly. Can call it the Blonk.

(Says he with blank expression.)