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Name: paddler2438869

Most Recent Reviews

I have had the S16 G2 for a full season with frequent paddles on lakes, rivers and ocean coastal conditions.
Big fan of the design - light, fast and tracks like an arrow with the rudder down for most conditions.
Light enough to be able to load on top of my SUV solo even after a long tiring paddle.

From a design perspective - nice high cutouts to support a high angle stroke, that is my preference for most types of paddles.
Very fast and sleek in the water, can keep up with (or pass) the strongest paddlers, even when using my Kalleq Greenland paddle. (probably more due to the weight and design of the boat, than the paddler - but I will take it). Convenient small front hatch where you can keep snacks, camera or other small items you may need to use while out on the water. Front and rear hatches are water tight with good capacity. The higher front end gives plenty of room, especially if you have a larger size feet. The design of the foot pedals with a fixed bottom and movable top, allows you to both brace for strokes, as well as push the top part of your foot to turn with the rudder.

Have found it to be very stable in most conditions, including secondary stability for edging with turns. Rudder makes turning effortless in most conditions. I have found that without the rudder down, it can be more difficult to come out of an edged turn. With a rounded bottom, it wants to keep turning when you are done with the turn (handles like a jet boat, for anyone familiar). It takes several additional side strokes to get it straight again.

In rough water, still trying to find the sweet spot. When you get strong current, big wind and waves, can be a little more tippy. The rounded bottom style works best with a rudder. Likely due more to getting familiar with the set up, but have found friends NDK's much more stable in these type of conditions. This is likely a more fun boat in these type of conditions (e.g. the waves slide under easily). Also trying to find the sweet spot with or without a rudder during these conditions. Have tried it both ways in dynamic waters, including tide races and riding waves. WIth the rudder up, slides over the water easier, but significantly more work to keep straight (tends to want to slide sideways - makes for more work during a long day on the water) With the rudder down, much easier to control, but can create stability issues, especially if you hit conditions that are very dynamic with wind, tide and waves.
This is likely a learning curve issue for me - but always make sure I am with other strong experienced paddles in these conditions for support during any unplanned swims.

I have also found you want to avoid anything heavier on the front if conditions are dynamic. For longer paddles, I will often use a deck pod to carry extra water. Given the higher front end of the boat, If the boat tips, you can not get the kayak to stay up-right. As soon as you flip it over, the extra weight on the front immediately flips it upside down again. Not an issue for most types of paddles, but was an important reminder for dynamic conditions - had to remove and put in the back hold to get stability back. (This was a day that started out calm, but became significantly more dynamic when the wind and waves picked up half way through a long paddle)

Overall a great boat and purchase.