Playboats for bigger guys?

[Drew W.]

Hey folks
It's about time for me to get my own boat, a playboat I've decided, and I'm a little stuck on what my options are. I'm a bigger guy, 6'2", about 205lbs, and a 32" inseam. I tried a converted Super EZ, but it felt a little too volumous and I had trouble throwing it around, in a pool at least. I made an attempt to fit in a vibe and there's no way I could cram my body into that thing, much less swim out if I got stuck in a bad way. I've been told to check into the forplay and big ez, but I'm concerned about the weight limits on wavesport's website (130lbs. and 195lbs. respectively if I'm reading it right.) So, anyone have any suggestions?

[sbroam]

Try a Score - it is like a big Foreplay. It is longer and slicier than the EZ/Spud family and a bit faster. I've been happy with mine and I'm weighing in at about 210 these days. It's a great surfer and it can be thrown around by the larger paddler... My saddle is nearly 9" and it is still comfortably stable for me.

Scott

[Mike W.]

I converted a big ez when I weighed 180. It's the slowest thing I've ever been in . It's easy to throw around though. Flatwater stern squirts are effortless, as is the transition from stern to bow station. I have not figured out how to go from bow station to stern though. I can bow stall on flatwater by taking 3 forward strokes & throwing my weight forward (this annoys the 'yakers ) It likes steep, fast waves for surfing. It's the easiest boat that I've ever tried to roll. It's stable enough for an 8" seat too .

I now weigh 193 & the boat is a little slower. You can see the bow pushing water with every stroke. It bow stalls more readily now.

Wave Sport has nice wide cockpit openings. Remember though, the super ez has a larger opening than the big ez does. At 5'7", 193lbs, with full winter gear I have no problems fitting.

A buddy has a Necky Rip that he converted. My thighs are WAY to fat to be comfortable in that thing . The Necky cockpit opening is VERY narrow & digs into my thighs.

If you want to see photos, go to: http://photos.yahoo.com/wh20crazy
Then click "Big EZ-C-1"
I've added a bulkhead since the photos were taken & it performs better now.

My best advice? Come to an armada & try a BUNCH of boats !

Mike W.

[AYockey]

Mike were the holes in the back of the cockpit rim there or are those added. I wanna get a session but I think I may go for the big EZ or something else.

[Mike W.]

The holes in the back of the cockpit rim were there to hold the 'yak back-band. They now support my back-rest. The only permanent modification that I made was to add the drain-plug (old model boat). All of my outfitting is held in with the screw holes that were in the boat from the factory.

Mike W.

[Kevin]

Kingpin 6.3
LL Airhead, or the New LL Bigwheel..it a little smaller volume wise than the airhead.

[Drew W.]

thanks for all the suggestions!
just one more detail, I'd like to be able to run up to class III/III+ in whatever boat I buy because it will be my only boat until later this season when I'll have more money to get a designated river runner
so, pardon my newbieness, but any of these boats can be used for mild river running too?

[Mike W.]

I'm comfortable in class III with the big ez. It's fine as long as there's nothing real technical. Sometimes I miss waves due to the lack of speed. I want something faster for big rivers that have consequences.

Mike W.

[sbroam]

I ran the Ocoee in the Score, no problems. I'd run it on harder stuff (IVs) as long as they weren't too steep and "pinny". I tend to favor speed and have been pleased with the wave catching ability - but surfing, plain old surfing, matters a lot to me, more than cartwheelability (though it works) or arial ability (wouldn't know where to start).

I tried a Super EZ and could not get out of my own way, but I only spent about 20 minutes in it - it might have gotten better.