Profile

The Javelin is a ICF rules Olympic style K1 racer. It could be described as a intermediate, or stable marathon boat. Unlike many trainers, the hull is rounded and not flat. This makes the stability somewhere midway between something like a Laser, and the top sprint boats. Maybe a 3.5 (with top sprint boats at 1).

It is an old design, but still one of the most stable and predictable ones out there. It is obviously a bit slower than the full on sprint boats, but a world more stable and relaxing to paddle. It is relatively low volume, with a low deck. So, you need a skirt to stay dry if you are in chop or a fast river. At 185lbs, I sank the boat enough to put up a rooster tail from the submerged overstern rudder at full sprint. I think it is rated for under 160 lbs. But I still borrow the boat at times for low water. Its stability makes it a great river boat. The low deck is very tight on size 10.5 feet. At 6'1" I have the seat all the way back, and it is tight.

As for build, the one I had was well over 20 yrs old in Kevlar with significant sun damage. A new cover of paint on the deck, and clear resin on the hull, and the boat is like new. They are hard to kill. The hull flexes easily when run over rocks (wonder how I know that?). This boat had many many miles on it. It weighed in at some 22lbs or so. I give it a ten because it has lasted over twenty years and is still going strong.

Stability is relative. Even today, with all the new skis on the market, the S1X is still (IMHO) a front running hi performance ski. For me, it is definitely more stable than the V10 (I sold mine after paddling the S1X), or the Mako 6. I am inland (Philadelphia), and don't get much ocean practice. So, for me, I will take all the stability I can get. I have not paddled the Think Legend, but understand it is also one of the "fast but not terribly tippy" boats. I mostly paddle K1s, so I find all skis are in general stable on flat water. But, the S1X to me is noticeably more stable in open water than many others. Yes, there is some bow slap. The volume is enough for me (185lbs) on east coast seas, that the bow rides hi enough. I like the lower volume. It feels sleeker, and is less effected by winds.

My only complaint of the boat (and it may just be personal), is the seating position. I prefer the V10,V12 Mako 6 and Think Evo cockpits. The S1X feels to be paddling up hill. I have heard this from other paddlers as well. I have also heard the S1x special is improved here. Mine is a fixed dual foot well that is a tiny too big for me, and my calves rest on the well. I have used the adjustable dual foot wells and found it a little better, but no where near the paddling position of the other listed boats. Note, I have never tried their single footwell.

The boat is light (24lbs) and very well built. The rudder system is by far the best in the business, and there are a ridiculous array of rudders available from Huki. I have personally seen several DNFs due to rudder problems that absolutely would not be an issue with the Hukis. I wish the others would follow suit. I have the wide seat, and am "almost" able to paddle the regular (narrower) seat. I fit the V10 perfectly, and the V12 too (32" jeans). For a guy like me (mid pack paddler) this boat is great. If I lived on the coast and paddled open water daily, stability would not be an issue at all, and I would probably get a V12 just for the seating comfort (a little more like a K1). But, I feel I am probably faster in the S1X due to the extra stability. It is also more relaxing to paddle because of this.

Comparing this to a thunderbolt (which I have owned), is to compare apples and oranges. I would compare with Epic v10 and V12, Mako 6, Think Legend, Custom Kayaks new Synergy etc. The Huki guys are great to deal with.

This is a front running K1 for sprints or marathons with just a little more stability than the tippiest K1s. Mine is a club (glass) layup. I also have a full carbon Plastex Destroyer, a Javelin, and a V10 ski.

I bought this boat because my nearest paddling spot is a river with many water skiers, and it is just plain annoying to paddle the Destroyer there (rated a 1 for stability). I thought the Sino would be better. It is noticeably more stable, but is still clearly a flatwater boat with low volume that is easily swamped, and can send you scrambling with boat wakes. I believe the Sino is based on a Plastex design, and both hulls look very very similar, with the Sino being only slightly wider at the waterline and just a touch more rounded. The seat and adjustable foot bar are the same design, and the seats are actually interchangeable.

I will leave top speed to the experts, but for my paddling, I am actually faster in the Sino due to the increased stability. The Javelin feels much more stable than the Sino, but does not get out of the water like the Sino and Destroyer. The odd thing is that I am a little unhappy with the Sino for one reason only: it is way too similar to the Destroyer, and now I have essentially two of the same boat. That is pretty funny considering the Destroyer is over $3500 new, and the Sino in glass is $1700. I would sell the Destroyer first actually, partly because the Sino is new rules and much sleeker looking. Even in glass, the Sino is very strong and the components are first rate. The seat platform in the Sino is a solid composite, and looks beefy as they get. How many old K1s with rotten wood bases have we seen?

Tracking is excellent. At 190 lbs, I feel at the top of the weight capacity, but I fit in just fine, and have plenty of foot clearance (6'1" tall, 32"waist, size 11 feet). The seat and push bar are widely accommodating. Having put the Sino side by side to another K1 from another country (oh, lets say some river in Canada), there was no comparison. The Kayakpro is hands down a better built boat, and significantly less money. A great boat for the money.

It's all true. Great piece of equipment to own. It seems like a lot of money, but it is well built, and the main structure can truly last a lifetime. Because of this, I wish I had shelled out the money sooner. It is kinda like an aluminum canoe, in that you buy one and use it for 5 years, or 50 years, and you will still be able to sell it as a useful piece. Great customer support.

Mine is a carbon model with the deep seat option. I won't grade it for big water handling. I feel there are many others better qualified. I paddle flat to moderate chop mostly.

This boat is a pleasure to paddle in any conditions. It is very comfortable and well laid out. I also have a regular performance lay up V10. I would rate them about the same for stability, or maybe a slight advantage to the Mark 1. I time trialed the Mark against a V10 sport, and did better in the sport, and the sport is notably more stable (flat water test). So, obviously it would be that much slower than one of the front running skis (V10, Mako 6 etc). So why buy one? My understanding is that these skis are very popular for big water in South Africa. I think it must be due in part to the build. This boat and all its trim are much much more substantial then my V10 and a V10 sport I have used extensively.

I gave this boat a 9 only because it is a little slower without the benefit of increased stability. If you are not racing where every second counts, this is a great boat that will last many years.

Follow up review after one year of use: Still an awesome boat. Some notes: I paddle mostly flat water and sometimes very shallow water. I thought I needed a overstern rudder for this. I bought a used understern for the price, but found something unexpected. With a two inch rudder, the boat will bottom out in the center before it even touches the rudder. I currently am running a four inch rudder for better control (21 feet is hard to turn). But, don't be afraid of the understern. On stability, it really is all relative. I came out of a 22 inch wide sea kayak, and the Tbolt was a huge handful at first. After a year of heavy paddling, I am totally comfortable in this boat. I can reach for my water bottle, watch planes overhead, and put layers on/off with no problem. I now have a spec surf ski too 19' X 19". Spec skis are generally believed to be the most stable (with a few exceptions) of surf skis. The Tbolt is more stable. I don't feel the Tbolt is inferior in any way when I race against the faster surf skis (flat water). I think a radical olympic K1 like the Nelo Vanquish is faster in flat water, but only for someone that has really put in the time to be efficient in it. Many people complain about the lack of bulkheads, and choose surf skis instead. I will say this though, the Tbolt does not sink when capsized intentionally (has foam center supports). You can add float bags if you are really concerned. Additionally, I can jump right back into my Tbolt with no floats or support(I really should just learn to roll, duhhh!). Yes it is a pain to pump out the water, but I feel MUCH less likely to tip in my Tbolt than my surf ski. I can paddle much faster in chop in the Tbolt too because I feel much more stable. I would consider the Tbolt similar in stability to a Laser, which is listed as a five (on a scale to ten) on a olympic scale for stability (one is radical K1, ten is 23"wide sea kayak). As for speeds: I paddled sustained above 6mph from day one, and now cruise at up to 8mph with short sprints to 10. I have worked hard to get these speeds, but 6mph is realistic for almost anyone in this boat. Hope this helps.

Got a chance to paddle a friends EFT(calm lake only). I own a Thunderbolt and a Tempest 17 poly. Have always been curious about the EFT. I was very impressed and surprised. I thought it would be similar to some of the high end sea kayaks, like the Qcc700. But the cockpit and ergonomics are very different. More like that of a race boat and allow for full rotation and leg pumping. It felt less stable (very quick roll rate) than a Qcc700, or Tempest but alot faster and lighter. It had the stability I wish the Tbolt had (you can lay your paddle down and take a drink or check out the scene directly behind you without concern of capsize). But, you still need to at least be aware of your position. Conversely, in the 700 I felt I could lay down and watch the clouds. In the Tempest I can watch the stars and doze off. The EFT felt just as responsive and fast at low to average effort as the Tbolt. It was not until I really dug in for top speed that I could see the limitations. It never felt like a barge or anything (like my Tempest does now), it just did not have the glide that a Tbolt has at hi speeds. I fell in love with the boat and may buy one for winter training (less likely to capsize than Tbolt), and for unfamiliar waters/open water when not racing.

I bought this boat for flat water racing. I kept my Tempest 17 for rough water. That was 3 months ago, and I now have dust on my Tempest. Paddling anything less just feels dumb. Occasionally I miss the storage and bulkheads, but that is only when I am on the land. If I had any complaint, it would be this: It is impossible to go slow. Many times I have planned on taking a leisurely paddle. But, every time I give in to the speed demon within. It will be a sad day when Doug Bushnell retires. Awesome boat!

I agree with all the other reviews. This is a great all around boat that is surprisingly fast. I too have bought plugs for the scupper holes and the boat stays dry unless the water is really rocking. One thing does make me crazy though. The boat is very difficult to carry. I have a sit in kayak that is 10 lbs heavier, but it rests well with the shoulder inside the coaming. It seems that attaching handles, or creating recesses in the mid section, would make all the difference in the world. I still highly recommend this boat. It is just one of those things that a manufacturer could do cheaply that would make a big difference.

Bought a polly 2005 this year and have about 50 hours in it so far, mostly flat water. I love this boat. I never use the rudder or spray skirt and don't miss them (yes the skeg does rattle slightly when deployed). I rolled the boat at least 15 times in a pool one night and never saw a drop in the compartments. I am 6'1" and 185lbs and I usually go out for two hours at a time, and I must say that it is very comfy. I can go fast, but when I want to turn around to see the sites, or lay back to stretch I don't have to worry about tipping over. I have one circuit that includes carrying the boat for almost a quarter mile. However, this is not done easily at all. Many times I wish I had the glass/kevlar boat, but I have yet to cry when scraping rocks (I seem to have a knack for finding them). I know few women that could carry this boat any distance (I would recommend glass for them). I bought this boat last winter without a test paddle based on all the reviews. I am not disappointed at all.