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Name: AndyG

Most Recent Reviews

Jet

by KayakPro USA LLC

I took delivery of the Jet the first week of Oct. '05 at the start of the GREAT FLOOD of '05. So excited I paddled between heavy rains in a Cove at low tide. I'm coming from a CD Sirocco now Seda Glider to my first developmental/training boat. I paddled the very next am, the next, the next...

Very scary those first days BUT you learn not to take chances and VIP keep your propulsion.

  • Cockpit - long and roomy 10.
  • Seat - Fully adjustable and a beautiful Carbon Fibre weave 10.
  • Foot pad - Wooden large platform for pushing off and fully adjustable. 10.
  • Steering - Aluminum Rod centered between yr feet. Easy to operate. 10.
  • Steering Sensitivity - Moderate, which I like as a beginner. An integral skeg just forward of the rudder serves as a protector and an offset to the steering impact so as not to throw you. Also, it helps the boat track. Huge 10
  • Fit & Finish - Excellent appearance - no rough edges, cockpit sole is glassed over, nice touch. 10.
  • Durability - I will wait a year to see how it stands up to wear and tear.
  • Speed - I've been training alone for 3 weeks and finally entered a race - the Potato (last of the NECKRA series). Much to my surprise and lack of experience - I did very well. It was an 8 mi. course and the river was moving. The eddies along the banks were troublesome because their positions varied and you couldn't keep a line on the inside. The boat excels in shallow water (my training) but I had to go into the current on the return 4 mi. leg and then it was MAGIC. Against the current, I was gaining on, catching and passing boats! I got into a groove and paddled. It not only surprised me but also my friendly opponents who remarked of my speed upstream against the current. This boat is slippery on the water. I am not carrying a GPS at this time because I need to concentrate on balance and stroke at this early level.
  • Stability - for an entry level boat 6ish. Just as advertised - on the steady side. As long as you PUT IN THE TIME
  • Appearance - Sleek and flat deck 10.
  • Weight - 26ish lbs.
  • Kayakpro Office - Excellent to deal with and get back to you right away.

    PS: I entered the ICF Class and could have entered the K-1 Touring class in that the boat is 18" at the 4" waterline. ( I didn't realize this at the time.) I passed the fellow who finished 2nd in that class! I recommend this boat highly to anyone who wants to make the leap from a Sea Kayak. Safe paddling and join us in the NECKRA series next year. THE JET ROCKS!

    • Glider 19

    by Seda Paddlesports

    The Glider was my first glass boat after two years in a CD Scirocco. It doesn't have a rudder and I raced it for 2 years w/o one. When racing there were too many correcting strokes and I would waste valuable energy and time to stay on track after a passing boat or current change. But w/o a rudder you really learn how to handle a boat. I finally just installed a Sealine system and the rudder is a necessity. Now you can concentrate on your forward stroke and stay your course or get out of someone's way in a hurry at the start of a race. Here's how I rate it:

  • Touring - 10
  • Racing - 7-8 due to weight limitations
  • Turning (while racing) 90 degrees - 8 of 10
  • Turning 180 degrees - 6 of 10 (you must practice tight turns because the built in hull type skeg in the stern enables you to track well over distances bet defeats the turning ability in tight quarters.)
  • Windy Conditions - 6 of 10 (While racing around Jamestown, RI 15 miles, I had to stop for other issues nothing to do w/ the boat. 3 racers passed me. This was the downwind leg with the tide and current. Over the next five miles I settled in and caught all three boats. Turned into the wind on the Northern leg and then 6 miles into the wind heading south and all three boats slowly but surely walked away from me.)
  • Following Seas - 7 of 10 (gets squirrelly due to the lack of rocker in the stern. You have to brace and watch yourself. Like most boats.)
  • Weight 48 lbs w/ Rudder it's Kevlar w/ Glass overlay on Hull. Fit & Finish 10 of 10
  • Resistance to Wear Factor - 10 of 10 (This boat looks new on the water - it's five years old.)
  • Hardware/Decking - 10 of 10
  • Resale - 10 of 10
  • Cockpit - Roomy the way I like it.
  • Hatches - 10 of 10 dry as a bone
  • Length - 9 of 10 (it's long @ 19ft.)
  • Boat Appeal - 9 of 10
  • Cruising w/o effort - 4mph
  • Cruising w/ effort - 5 to 5.5
  • Racing - 5.5 to 5.9 (steady pacing)
  • Racing - Sprint - 6.2to 6.5 mph (hard to sustain)

    I would be hard pressed to sell this boat so I recommend it highly. If I bought a race specific boat I would still keep the glider. This is an all around fast cruising day boat that can do expeditions fully loaded and you are always in front of the pack.