Marko, that's GREAT to hear
A manufacturer willing to do a little extra for non-normal customers, WOW. I should have asked that question a few months ago, I recently converted a SuperEZ. I'm definately interested in getting a WB now but will have to wait probably until spring or summer. My fleet grew a little to fast for the wifes liking this year so any new additions need to be slightly delayed.
There is a lot of difference in sizes of same plastic kayak. There is variationn of maybe 2% of all measerus that can dramatically change the volume of desing. I have 2 wheelboys that are really small. actually the lighter the hull smaller it seems to come. my wifes 9 kg hull is pretty small ...
There is also a lot variation in volume by choosing different material. A singnificantly small WB would come out of our new superstiffplastic because it shrinks a lot 2% more than our current and significcantly large could be made from plypropylene that would shrink 2 less... there is 4 % difference... that make like 7 cm in lenght only...
We thought about using polypropylene because its nice and hard surface properties in kayaks. It is large steaming pile of dog doo expensive but really stiff. I dont know about hit properties as we speak but we will see if test are OK. they should be like hard hdpe...
Maybe one of our test could be your boat. they all grey though...
hey Marko,
what is the deal with all the supposed volume in the wheelboy that is actually BEHIND the paddler? I read that Larry mentioned this in a previous post. Is this part of what makes the boat so stable as a c-1, or is it simply width? Just trying to understand the design a little bit.
Alden
Volume is spread around the paddler more equal than in the kayak were kneeroom makes a lot of volume.
The wheelboy has more room for legs/thighs and is higher front of cockpit. Back of rim is lower for movement and so the tail is wider.
the design was also there to improve stability. the old WB protos were not that wide before the 3rd hull idea was introdused.
Then after some serious wheeling I came up with volume distribution that keept on the wave and did not flush me. i discovered that i had to keep my body out of water while cleaning those ends. kayakers have a paddle blade to push and lift a bit but in a c-1 there has to be more rotation force. There is plenty weighttrow energy in c-1 to handle and low volume stern will simply sink you.
There is alot to practice with the stern. I discovered that at first sessions I were more busy with stern sguirts and a bit more unstable at first but once i got it going I realised how well the energy can be controlled to your advantege. Simply sguirt and when you facing the right direction let the edge drop and boat will sprint forward ..... wery usefull on river and on a wave. Once burried on a foam ... just rotate upstream and launch back on the wave. The lift also helps to get boat fast in planning position... What you will see on braking wave is that you recover from 1 m further back than some others.
With all the new school tricks the boyance energy of tail is just awe. Try those back loops etc. and it will fly.
Did i answer what you asked.. .it is there for fun, feel, stability, volume .... just how the design is
I also would love to pick up a used one as I am a poor Canadian as well. If anyone would sell a discounted Wheelboy, I would be happy to take if off of you.
