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Solo Medium
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Short Facts
Brand
Fluid
12 Shochet Street
Parys
9585
South Africa
Phone: +27 56-817-2951
· Show brand details.
· Show all Fluid products.
12 Shochet Street
Parys
9585
South Africa
Phone: +27 56-817-2951
· Show brand details.
· Show all Fluid products.
Model Year
Usage
Intended Paddling Environment
Designer
Celliers Kruger
Type
Stats
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Our Solo series of creekboats, which until now consisted of the Small, Large and Expedition Solos, are extremely popular and considered by many to be the benchmark for modern creekers.
Since the Solos went in production, we had many requests from paddlers who wanted a Medium version. So we listened, and created the boat that completes the Solo series. It has the same trusty design of the other Solos, and the same robust plastic pillar system. It also has all the new outfitting, like the better looking seat pads and backrest, better gripping hippads, more comfortable and stiffer thigh braces, and of course our new powder coated die-forged aluminium alloy handles.
You like to run the steeps. You do it in the company of friends you can trust. You scout the lines, set up safety. But when you get in your boat, leave the eddy to aim for the horizon line, you're really going Solo .
The Solos have been tested over a year period by various team paddlers (and also some novices and intermediates) on 3 continents and one island (New Zealand). The Solo prototypes have been put through their paces on everything from super low volume runs and rock slides to big volume creeks, steep and continuous runs, a variety of waterfalls, overnight trips and full-on expeditions. Name the application for a creekboat and we've tested it there. When all the testing was done, the Solos went through 5 distinct prototype stages. The final product is a testimony to the brilliant feedback received, especially from Joe Stumpfel.
The Solos feature semi displacement hulls, with soft enough rails to keep even the most conservative paddler happy. They turn on a dime, carve like demons and boof on command. Responsiveness and speed is what they're made for. The rocker profile assist in stability when landing drops, and keeps you going where most boats will stall and backender. The decks are slightly peaked for controllable resurfacing without loosing speed. The perfectly distributed volume keeps you on top of the funny water, making class 5 creeks safer and more fun.
Since the Solos went in production, we had many requests from paddlers who wanted a Medium version. So we listened, and created the boat that completes the Solo series. It has the same trusty design of the other Solos, and the same robust plastic pillar system. It also has all the new outfitting, like the better looking seat pads and backrest, better gripping hippads, more comfortable and stiffer thigh braces, and of course our new powder coated die-forged aluminium alloy handles.
You like to run the steeps. You do it in the company of friends you can trust. You scout the lines, set up safety. But when you get in your boat, leave the eddy to aim for the horizon line, you're really going Solo .
The Solos have been tested over a year period by various team paddlers (and also some novices and intermediates) on 3 continents and one island (New Zealand). The Solo prototypes have been put through their paces on everything from super low volume runs and rock slides to big volume creeks, steep and continuous runs, a variety of waterfalls, overnight trips and full-on expeditions. Name the application for a creekboat and we've tested it there. When all the testing was done, the Solos went through 5 distinct prototype stages. The final product is a testimony to the brilliant feedback received, especially from Joe Stumpfel.
The Solos feature semi displacement hulls, with soft enough rails to keep even the most conservative paddler happy. They turn on a dime, carve like demons and boof on command. Responsiveness and speed is what they're made for. The rocker profile assist in stability when landing drops, and keeps you going where most boats will stall and backender. The decks are slightly peaked for controllable resurfacing without loosing speed. The perfectly distributed volume keeps you on top of the funny water, making class 5 creeks safer and more fun.
User reviews
(Updated: February 13, 2009)
Overall rating
4.8
Design
5.0
Perfomance
4.0
Quality
5.0
Value / Money
5.0
The comfy chair
About the reviewer
I started paddling in 2006, paddled a lot in 2008 bringing myself up to confidence in running class 3 and I have paddled class 4 on about half a dozen occasions.Test environment
Polish rivers at flood levels, Austrian and Swiss Alps, the Vltava in the Czech RepublicReview
Outfitting:Very comfortable, but definitely not "flash" - it's functional and it works. The only problem is that the material on the hip shims which attaches to the velcro comes off quite quickly, but this doesn't seem to matter - I've never had a shim slip out. The ribs which are used instead of foam pillars give you unbelievable foot room! The sitting position is exactly what I like - knees held wide and quite high. This doesn't appeal to everyone though...
Materials used:
The plastic is thick and hard, but on the heavy side. The support ribs give the boat awesome stiffness. From my contact with Fluid, they are dedicated to their boats' strength and toughness. The footrest is plastic, which worries me on one hand (possibility of it breaking), but on the other it could save your legs by breaking in a piton situation...
On the water:
It's a short creeker. The top speed isn't impressive, but you can dial in very good acceleration. It is very forgiving over smaller holes, gliding over them, which once led to my complacency for which I was punished - it can be stopped, so speed up for punching just in case. It is very maneuverable and catches eddies in a flash. I mainly do river-running and the one thing it lacks for me is tracking and carving. It has rails and isn't very bad at either, but I would honestly prefer something that feels sharper (which is why I bought a Riot Thunder and am anxiously awaiting Fluid's new river-runner). Resurfacing rocks!
Conclusion
It is a creeker and though I haven't really used it as such, I am very satisfied with how this boat handles. I cannot overstate how important comfort is on the river and the Solo (in fact every Fluid boat) delivers wonders in this respect. I am thinking of switching to a river-running type of boat, but those looking for a creeker should definitely take the Solo under consideration.Review
Affiliated
No
About Me
Location: Poland - Dunajec, Bialka, slalom courses
Age: 25
Weight: 70 kgs
Age: 25
Weight: 70 kgs
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