Shock

Value: Picked up this playboat this spring for $175 on CraigsList. Liked the value, good condition and price for a playboat. Already sold it to a lady who will better fit in it - same price, too.

Design: seems like a good boat despite being from the early 2000s; its design is a bit dated now though compared to playboats just a five years more recent. From a side profile view it has a very narrow tip and tail compared to more 'blown out' playboat design. Which leads me to:

Size/Fit: I wish I had bought the Perception Amp, which is the Shock's slightly larger twin. At the time Perception said the Shock handled people up to 150lbs - I wish there was a corresponding height suggestion, too. I'm 5'8" and the slim tip of the boat made me squash my not-huge mens size 8.5 feet into very particular positions in order to fit; ie couldn't move them at all so that they'd fall asleep. I'm pretty athletic and have paddled tons so posture wasn't a problem. I couldn't stay in the boat more than 90 minutes at a time (in the 20 times I paddled it this summer) b/c the fit was uncomfortable. I need to emphasize that this was a fit issue! I would suggest a 5'6", 140 lbs max. If a paddler was within that range I'm sure it would be a great playboat to use in beginner conditions and learning to roll etc.

Rating: 3 stars, not because it was a bad boat back in its day, but its thoroughly dated design means its best as an entry-level value-based white water experience. For a beginner in the proper size range and buying in the $150-225 range I'd say go for it.