L'Edge Review after test run on Green Narrows

Post by **PAC** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:57 pm

Bruce ...ya'd like both versions...decked and open! Al and I paddled them and "yah baby!"!

Nice review and view Dooley! thx

D-Caption · Post by **D-Caption** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 2:20 am

Not meaning to hijack but I had a chance to demo the closed version this weekend at NOC for about 45 min in sight of the shop.
When surfing you can put it on auto pilot an the boat will do it for you. First thing I noticed was total STABILITY, carves effortlessly. It loves to catch eddies, feries like a dream. Ran the slalom corse somewhat and it glides through bigger waves and and holds a line very nicely.
Befor I could get it back to the store about six people stopped me and commented on how easy it looked to paddle. It was the boat not me.
However there is a price to pay for a plastic boat with closed decks.It was heavy and a little awkward at first but one will soon learn to use the thwarts as handles and dumping water takes a special touch.
Cant wait to try the open version. Thanks Craig and the gang at Esquif. The thing that soooooo cool is a couple hard core Kayakers are planning on buying one after trying it out. Hook line and sinker.

D-Caption

Dooleyoc-1 · Post by **Dooleyoc-1** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 10:33 am

Some people will disagree but I highly recommend the open version. It looks like a traditional canoe, it weighs less, its easier to dump, easier to store dry bags and gear etc...

Larry Horne · Post by **Larry Horne** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 1:58 pm

I agree, the open version looks way cool.
nice work smerd.
..and dooley, you really need to learn how to boast and brag some more about how awsome you are if you want to promote the sport

Craig Smerda · Post by **Craig Smerda** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 2:08 pm

Dooleyoc-1 wrote:Some people will disagree but I highly recommend the open version.

Darn PURIST!!!

In truth... I can't decide which version I enjoy more. Time will tell.

ohioboater · Post by **ohioboater** » Wed Aug 18, 2010 1:05 pm

D-Caption wrote:I had a chance to demo the closed version this weekend at NOC for about 45 min in sight of the shop.

Glad to hear NOC has a demo available - now just have to hope Duke hasn't turned the water off when I'm down there this winter...

cheajack · Post by **cheajack** » Wed Aug 18, 2010 9:10 pm

NOC has the L'edge listed in the store. The price for the open version is $1953. Add 7.5% sales tax and the cost of a set of bags and it's scaring $2300 to death.

Wendy · Post by **Wendy** » Wed Aug 18, 2010 9:47 pm

I just bought a L'Edge there. The tax is 3%. Pull airbags out of old boat.

cheajack · Post by **cheajack** » Thu Aug 19, 2010 12:08 am

Oh, well then; that cuts it down to a mere two grand even!

Post by **sbroam** » Thu Aug 19, 2010 2:02 am

Buy the decekd one and save another $300. Decide if you like it or not - if you want to go open and you're pretty handy, you could cut it and put on some gunwales for under $100.

kanur · Post by **kanur** » Thu Aug 19, 2010 12:29 pm

As someone who has installed a few sets of wood gunwales I can tell you that on this boat it would be money well spent to buy it already done.

If you even remotely think you want a L'Edge just buy the darn thing and never look back. You will instantly be a better paddler and will never regret the cost.

Kelvin · Post by **Kelvin** » Thu Aug 19, 2010 1:17 pm

I've got the gunnels oiled up ready to go, plan is to get the decked version and chop it myself. I'll have a stack of plastic if it ever needs welding! Just have to wait till March to get one in the UK, bummer.

Kelvin.

fez · Post by **fez** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 1:57 pm

*edit* sorry, found it: http://canoemovie.amongstit.com/news/

Thanks for the review Dooley,

Can you tell me where I can find the vid of Will ?

"You can check out the video Will just posted to see the boat"

pmp · Post by **pmp** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 11:48 am

Hey, just paddled one myself for 3 days while teaching on class 2-3
Sweet boat! Even used it for a little slalom race, it was fun to paddle gates in it.
-So stable you can sit on the top of the saddle for flatwater.
Re: deck, once again as the saying goes "do it like dooley" I agree, go deckless to save weight and make it easier to empty, at the same time i'd even consider dropping the gunwale height a bit as i'm only 155lbs. and could benefit from the lower rails for offside strokes.
it's a cool ride Craig!
paul
ps. a trick i use on sidewall foam is to carve some away opposite the footpegs, makes it way easier to get in and out.

Shep · Post by **Shep** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 2:27 pm

Hypothetically speaking... If you were considering lowering the sides, would it destroy the gunwales taking them off just to refit them lower? would it make more sense to buy the decked version to do that work? I mean hypothetically. BTW, Paul, may I ask how tall you are? I'm just a tad heavier than you (160) but might have the length to not want to trim a boat down... hypothetically.

Thanks,
Shep

C-Forum

L'Edge Review after test run on Green Narrows

L/ Edge

Re: L/ Edge

NC sales tax is not 7.5%

l'edge... do it like dooley