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Spice L

 
4.3 (3)
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Short Facts

Brand
Fluid

12 Shochet Street
Parys
9585
South Africa

Phone: +27 56-817-2951

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Intended Paddling Environment
Type

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This is not the perfect boat to learn how to loop (although you can), it’s also not the perfect boat to do a first descent on a class 5 creek somewhere in an isolated corner of the world (although you can), but if you want a boat that will take care of you on unfamiliar runs, enables you to surf waves on the run that other paddlers can’t even catch, if you want a boat that gives you an exciting ride without being temperamental, you need to add some Spice to your life.



It has the proven Fluid play hull, which means it is super loose on waves. The length of the boat combined with gradual kickrocker makes it fast, both on waves and downriver. The smooth rails will make you carve on a wave like you don’t expect from a riverrunner, and also give you precise control when manoeuvring in rapids. Apart from being a forgiving yet performing riverrunner, the Spice is also great fun on ocean waves.

Most volume is distributed around the cockpit, where it is also slightly peaked to keep this boat on top of the water. The ends are not too slicy though, as the boat was designed to keep you in control on funny water.

Paddlers on the upper end of the weight range will find the Spice a nice playful riverrunner, while paddlers on the lower end of the weight range can expect a forgiving boat that will allow them to run complex rapids with ease. For beginners, this is the perfect boat to introduce them to the art of running rapids and surfing waves.

User reviews

3 reviews

Overall rating 
 
4.3
Design 
 
4.3  (3)
Perfomance 
 
4.0  (3)
Quality 
 
4.7  (3)
Value / Money 
 
4.3  (3)
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(Updated: July 07, 2009)
Overall rating 
 
4.0
Design 
 
4.0
Perfomance 
 
3.0
Quality 
 
5.0
Value / Money 
 
4.0

Spicy allrounder

About the reviewer

I have been paddeling from childhood. Worked as a kayak instructor and raft guide in the alps(PBO) and in canada(MKC).

Test environment

(very) high waters in austria last week. class 3-4+ bulky water and technical not to steep creeking.

Review

the spice is a nice boat, high level and quality outfitting. i think the plastic quality seems on the soft side (large scratches even with much water). I think it is a good boat if you want one boat that can do it all. the hull design ensures good characteristics on class 4 rapids, it resurfaces very nice and predictable when you drop into a hole. surfs great with good carving. my rodeo skills are not good enough to comment on wave moves so cannot say. what i like less is it's speed. it is not fast, so on big rivers you will have difficulty catching fast waves (or is it me? ;oP). also the behaviour on the eddy line is less predictable so you need attention to keep it on the 'sick-line'...

Conclusion

good one boat play/riverrunner if you do not need the speed. good all rounder with play potential.

Review

Affiliated
No
About Me
Location: austria, inn, oetz, sana
Age: 39
Weight: 82 kgs
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(Updated: March 24, 2009)
Overall rating 
 
4.0
Design 
 
4.0
Perfomance 
 
4.0
Quality 
 
4.0
Value / Money 
 
4.0

River runner with fun freestyle potential

About the reviewer

Paddling for 13 years. Currently Guide and Kayak instructor. Living in Limpopo on the banks of the Blyde River in South Africa

Test environment

Sabie and Blyde River Xfest down river Pro Races. Good water levels down techinical steep gr3-4 creeks.

Review

The L Spice has enough length and volume to get you through most sticky spots. Turns easily and boofs easily even when hand paddling the kayak. The hull and lower volume bow/stern give the kayak the fun freestyle potential that creek boats like the Solo sacrifice for their volume and the related performance attributes.

Conclusion

The most fun down river kayak I have paddled since the days in the late 90's when I paddled my WS X down everything. Great for beginners and just good comfy down river performance for those wanting to have fun on some of the more "interesting" runs.

Review

Affiliated
Yes
About Me
Location: South Africa, various rivers
Age: 28
Weight: 72 kgs
Was this review helpful to you? 
(Updated: June 08, 2007)
Overall rating 
 
5.0
Design 
 
5.0
Perfomance 
 
5.0
Quality 
 
5.0
Value / Money 
 
5.0

Comfy in the Spice

About myself


I'm 6 feet tall, big 13++ feet, 31" inseam, and 235 on a good day...

About the test environment


Puntledge River (at 3 different flows), Capilano, etc.

Review


Boat came with re cut foam, a great time saver. Also a water bottle and a cool Africa shaped sponge. Outfitting is solid, nothing cheap and little details appreciated - like recesses string for the drain plug.
The boat handles very well, very predicatable. Attains quickly, carves smoothly. I've found it quite easy to roll, on both my strong and 'off' sides. It surfs nicely, but does seem to be a bit tricky to throw down at all. Will have to work on that technique rather than brawn. This boat is lighter than other 'big boats' such as the Super fun or Super Ez.

Conclusion


I'd recommend this boat to the bigger guys looking for an excellent river runner that surfs and plays a little too. Great boat if you are a 'one boat' man.


Review

Affiliated
No
About Me
Location: N. Vancouver, BC, Canada
Age: 36
Weight: 106.6 kgs
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