Shaggy Designs Sith rocks!

[the great gonzo]

A few weeks ago (on the July long weekend and last weekend) I had the opportunity to test paddle the Shaggy Designs Sith on the Ottawa River on 2 different Days! I paddled on both days Martin Du Toit's personal boat (thanks again Martin!) which is a slightly lower and shorter cut than the full size boat, as Gwyn's boat isI had a blast in this boat! It looks very similar to my Delirious C1, it has a similar length and width and also very slicey ends, but it paddles so much nicer! It does the same flaterwater moves, but in whitewater, it works so much better than the Deli.
One particularity is that it is absolutely symetrical, which makes it backsurf as nicely as frontsurf. It spins really nicely and, as Martin showed me, it cartwheels like a dream (I am still working on my cartwheels...) and carvers like a dream. I definitely felt much more confident dropping into holes and waves as I ever felt in my Delirious.
It definitely shows that the boat has been designed as a C1 from the outset asnd is not a converted yak. This really shows when running rapids, especially the big water stuff as found on the Ottawa, where it feels much less edgy and is way more predictably than the Deli. I ran rapids confidently in it that routinely spank me when paddling the Deli.
I definitely drecommend that you give it a try the next time you are up at the Ottawa.
Go to RiverRun and ask the Staff for Gwyn or Martin, they are the owners/builders of Shaggy Designs and they will let you test paddle it for a day.
If you are up on the Ottawa on the Weekend of August 6-8th, check out their both at the Festival site at RiverRun.
I will definitely order one of their boats for next year!

martin

[Mike W.]

I've wondered about the Sith. Can anyone compare it to the Groove?

What are the chances of a Sith being a Gauley Fest?

[Cone Bone]

Anyone have a current web address on Shaggy Designs &/or the Sith?

[Sir Adam]

I fixed the link to the boat page...not sure when it was severed..sorry folks! I don't know about a new web site for them-if anyone finds one, let me know and I'll addit back to the home page.

http://www.cboats.net/recboats/sith.shtml

[the great gonzo]

Adam,

Shaggy Designs does currently not have a Website, since their old one was hoosted in the UK and boath Martin and Gwyn are now in Canada and haven't gotten around to set up a new one.
They can however be reached by e-mail at:
(shaggy_designs@hotmail.com)

Mike,

I have never paddled a Groove, so I can't compare the 2 boats.
I don't know how many Sith are out there, I don't think there are too many around (and I guess most of them are in the UK), so the odds of one showing upat the Gauley are probably very slim, but you can try them out any time at the Ottawa.

martin