Really sweet, lightweight…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 6/21/2016
Really sweet, lightweight board. This is a great board for a smaller paddler (I'm 5'5", 110 lbs.). At 23 pounds, it's easy to get up on the rack, and carry down to the water. The geometry is also great for what I do, which is mostly flat water fitness. Fairly stable, and pretty zippy. Nice graphics and bamboo...it's just a really pleasing board, generally.
Pros
Light weight.
Tracks very well.
Pretty speedy.
Stable, for how fast it is.
Nice looking wood and graphics.
Cargo net.
Handle is easy to use.
Cons
There is nothing I don't like about it. It's not great for surfing--but that's because it's a touring board! I guess that, because of how light it is, there might be durability issues, but none have shown up for me; it's holding up just fine.
Usage
Mostly flat water fitness (typically out for a few hours at a time). I plan to do a multi-day tour with it this summer, too. I sometimes take a 50 lb. dog along (when I do, I use the cargo net to strap on a piece of ensolite, so he doesn't slip around; works great).
This is the first board I've…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 11/8/2015
This is the first board I've owned, but I've rented and demo'd at least half a dozen boards of this type (i.e., touring). I have had so much fun this past summer on this board! It's very light, which was key for me, as I've had a lumbar fusion and do best if I don't lift more than about 25 lbs. It tracks beautifully, and is fast enough that I can keep up with my friends in their 14 foot kayaks. (Granted, I have to work harder than they are--but it's possible to keep up, and that surprised both me, and them.) I am 5'5", 110 lbs. and this board felt the best to me of all the touring boards I tried in terms of manageability, both in and out of the water.
Pros
Lightweight
Suitable for small paddler
Tracks great
Quite speedy for an 11'6" board
Really sweet-looking
Cons
Nothing, really. It doesn't surf well--but that's because it tracks well, so I can't really complain about that!
Oh--there is one thing. I would like it even better if it were a couple of inches narrower. Since it is probably mostly smaller paddlers that would chose this board, I'm guessing I'm not alone in that preference.
Usage
I use it for touring alpine lakes, and for flat stretches of river. About 50% of the time, I have a 45-lb. dog with me.
