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Huka

 
4.2 (4)
29432   0   4   0   0  
 
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Short Facts

Brand
Bliss-stick

RD 2
Taihape
New Zealand

Phone: +64 6 388 1445

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Model Year
Intended Paddling Environment
Type

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A boat named after Huka Falls sure better meet the stiff expectations that goes with the run's reputation. It's a bold name, but all indications are that the boat's a winner.

Its a boat with much careful thought credited to the final product, with defining hull characteristics, swell outfitting and secure safety features. Creeking in this boat is sensational. Many people have said now that this boat is simply the best creek boat they have been in. Its strong and handles well where it matters. Reviews have been very complementary of this boat.

The hull has generous rocker both bow and stern, yet a middle section with maximum planing area so as not to compromise speed. The displacement hull is wide, but easy to roll on to its side by virtue of big side-cuts that promote secondary stability, as well as maintaining a level of trackability that is unusual in creekboats. The length, side-cuts and rocker also mean that in tight situations, maneuverability is maximised. When it gets really full-on...too full-on, the xtra large cockpit makes for a fast exit. Two large grab handles are reachable from the cockpit, as are a further 4 beckoning points should you be needing a rope aided extraction from places that boater and boat feel uncomfortably mortal. A solid yet adjustable bulkhead system form a strong bracing point, and the roomy cockpit mean the Huka is totally comfortable. Ample room for gear exists in and around the seat, and behind.

User reviews

4 reviews

Overall rating 
 
4.2
Design 
 
4.5  (4)
Perfomance 
 
4.5  (4)
Quality 
 
3.8  (4)
Value / Money 
 
4.0  (4)
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Overall rating 
 
4.3
Design 
 
5.0
Perfomance 
 
4.0
Quality 
 
4.0
Value / Money 
 
4.0

The Bliss-stick Huka was one of my favorite kayaks and I loved the stern design.

Review

Affiliated
No
About Me
I'm 5'5" 170 lbs and a Huka was my first creek boat. I bought second hand from a Bliss-stick rep in Long Creek SC. I spent 2 years kayaking this boat. (My 2nd and 3rd years boating)
Pros / The Good
I was an excellent starter boat for me. It was easy to roll, turned on a dime, resurfaced fast, bomber plastic, boofed like a dream, fast for its size, outfitting easy to adjust, comfortable seat and fit a large range of paddler sizes height and weight.
Cons / The Bad
My Huka did not have a drain plug built in. The Huka can hold a lot of water even with air bags and was a pain to drain out the cockpit. It had bomber plastic but it came with a weight penalty.
Recommend
Yes
Was this review helpful to you? 
(Updated: March 07, 2006)
Overall rating 
 
4.3
Design 
 
4.0
Perfomance 
 
5.0
Quality 
 
4.0
Value / Money 
 
4.0

Nice boat for low volume creeks

About myself


16 years of paddling (slalom, creeking, playboating, downriver racing)

About the test environment


Norway and Vale Sesia area

Review


The Huka is a great boat for the lower volume creeking. It boofs like a dream, and turns great. The plastic is very durable (but does make it a heavy boat), it has taken quite some beatings and still looks ok.

However stay well away from big volume water! This boat doesn't track and can't hold line... I got stuck in a (big) hole with this boat and it took ages (and a good trashing :-)) to get out of it..

Conclusion


If you're looking for a creek boat for lower volume (steep) rivers, this is a great boat! But use it for what it's made for!

Review

Affiliated
No
About Me
Location: netherlands
Age: 26
Weight: 82 kgs
Was this review helpful to you? 
(Updated: September 22, 2004)
Overall rating 
 
3.5
Design 
 
4.0
Perfomance 
 
4.0
Quality 
 
3.0
Value / Money 
 
3.0

Nice hull crap outfitting

About myself



10 years paddling


About the test environment



Wairoa in NZ


Review



Boat workrd well but the out fitting really let it down, as well as the weight


Conclusion



Works well but the archaic out fitting let ity down (definately a step or two behind)


Al

Review

Affiliated
No
About Me
Location: NZ
Age: 26
Weight: 81 kgs
Was this review helpful to you? 
(Updated: March 18, 2004)
Overall rating 
 
4.8
Design 
 
5.0
Perfomance 
 
5.0
Quality 
 
4.0
Value / Money 
 
5.0

Huka is a great creek boat

About myself



size 10.5 (US feet) 30" inseeem


About the test environment


Mill Creek, WV; Manns Creek, WV; Lower Meadow, WV; Difficult Run, VA....


Review



This boat boof's like a dream! It has great secondary stability when on it's side, and does very well busting through holes. boat lands great, weather penciling the big ones, boofing the small ones, or anything in between. Boat resurfaces very nicely. The big bulbious nose helps avoid pinning on some of the steep, low volume stuff.

My borther who paddles a micro got in the Huka for 2 days and LOVED IT.

the plastic has help up very well for me, and I have not issues with quality.

the only downside is that the boat is not very fast.


Conclusion



Great boat for all levels of ability


Review

Affiliated
No
About Me
Location: West Virginia, USA
Age: 37
Weight: 72.6 kgs
Was this review helpful to you?