Flirt review

bearboater · Post by **bearboater** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:38 am

i got my fluid flirt L out on the river today. i have a 6 inch saddle, and i weight just shy of 200 lbs. i have to move the saddle forward about an inch, and the trim will be perfect i think, the stern was almost under the water at the end, but it paddled very well.

For a conversion, i think, the boat tracks very well. its very wide 26.75 i think. and has tons of stability, i felt very awkward and at a loss for what to do due to the lack of forward speed coming from a slalom boat and a fink. but it went where i wanted it to, and i had no trouble moving it around, just a little more effort to ferry over to things than i was ready for. its not a very flat hull, there is some shape to it and i thik that this helps it go straight, also there are really good edges, and a slight chine that when leaned on gives a very stable platform to paddle from. all i did today was a little front surfing, as i was too timid to do anything else without having paddled the boat at all before, and being alone. but i am excited about having a rodeo boat, and some great new enhanced/man-made features in downtown missoula to learn on.
all in all, its a great boat, and for someone who knew how to do rodeo maneuvers, i think it would be the ticket. im getting there.
cheers
-isaac

Craig Smerda · Post by **Craig Smerda** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:28 pm

Glad that worked out for you

Tiggy · Post by **Tiggy** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:36 pm

Think you need to use more "spin momentum" in kayak conversions. Try to transfer the ease of spinning your boat into a straight line rather than using power strokes. Does that make any sense?

Thanks for the review, I'm still looking for my creeker !

bearboater · Post by **bearboater** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:20 pm

craig, me too! :lol:
tiggy, do you mean to use the lack of straight acceleration, by going in a sort of a wobbly line? sort of a jagged edge? or im not sure, but im going to go get more time in it today, and try it on some bigger waves, and a little bigger water.
cheers
-isaac

bearboater · Post by **bearboater** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:16 am

so tonight, i got the boat out on our new WW feature in town, and found out even more reasons why this is the best boat to float big dudes, side surf, paddle in holes. the stability is tons better when the hole is bigger, the boat is just so stable, and fast. its super easy to get onto a wave with, and its really fast if you paddle from the bow. maybe its the fact that i havent got alot of experience in little boats, but there is just so much control when in a hole. just a super playboat. and i tihnk as soon as i get my outfitting dialed, it won't be a problem to roll.
cheers
-isaac

Craig Smerda · Post by **Craig Smerda** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 1:17 pm

Am I a prophet or what?

montana c-1 · Post by **montana c-1** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:58 pm

I would have to agree with you Bearboater the flirt is a very fun /stable conversion. It was good to see you get on the wave last night you should post some video of the flirt in action........You wanna sell me yours??????

Sean

bearboater · Post by **bearboater** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 9:31 pm

definetely don't wanna post the video of me, when the skirt popped, i was out of that thing so fast. i think i had my hand on my t-grip still. and no, sorry i don't wanna sell it to you. but i have made some photos from the viddy i shot of you, brandon, and ben.
cheers
-isaac