I just picked up a used West…
I just picked up a used West Side Boat Shop Wave Exceed and agree with all the previous reviewers. It is an absolutely wonderful boat that delivers amazing stability for a marathon racing kayak design. It is 2' shorter than the classic Thunderbolt-X to make it a little easier to fit in the garage, but it does not sacrifice much speed as a result. I can now see the clear progression of Doug Bushnell's thinking in designs: Wave Exceed -> Thunderbolt-X -> Marauder with each being incrementally faster than the previous. If you can find one grab it! Great winter trainer and I'm looking forward to placing in some races with it next year.
This is an update to a review…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 6/14/2020
This is an update to a review I did on this site back in 1999. Since owning the Exceed, I've owned a T-Bolt X and a Marauder. Both these other boats are advertised as the fastest offerings from WSBS, but if I had to buy another boat . . . I'd go with the Exceed all over again! Wish I hadn't sold it, but always looking for something faster. All top-notch boats, however.
I paddled the EFT and the…
I paddled the EFT and the Wave and preferred the Wave; it has a snuger feel to it.
This is truly one of the…
Submitted by:
paddler230257
on 7/15/2003
This is truly one of the world's great kayaks. I own 6 boats 4 expressly for racing and the wave exceed is always my first choice (when I can choose).
The Exceed was my first performance/racing boat. While I own a paddling business and can paddle boats of various manufacturers the Exceeds is my first choice to paddle. I've raced the boat in the 6 mile and 12 mile events at the Captiva Classic on several occassions and have finished no worse than second in my class and 6th overall. The boat tracks great, surfs well in a following sea and with practice handles beam seas well. It rolls easily even with a wing paddle. It is a very comfortable boat given it's purpose in life. The materials and workmanship are first class and it is easy to build a bond with this boat. I recommend having Doug install rigging behind the deck for use in a paddle float re-entry should a roll fail. This is simply an added safety recommendation as I've never had to do a combat roll in the boat. I'm looking forward to paddling Doug Bushnell's new "Thunderbolt".
Depending upon your…
Submitted by:
paddler228273
on 9/9/1999
Depending upon your aspirations, this could be the only boat you'll ever need. Designed as an ocean racer, it is fast; but as racing boats go, it is quite stable--not so tippy as a wildwater K-1, yet noticeably faster. As water conditions deteriorate, the boat seems to perform even better. The Exceed remains comfortable even after 3 hours of steady paddling. Weight? About 29# in kevlar; some lighter in carbon. Workmanship? It is hard to beat a Doug Bushnell boat. I have been paddling and racing kayaks and canoes for about 18 years, owning over 30 different boats during that time--this boat is a winner!
