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Review Detail

 
Blackwater 10.5
Boats & Boards
(Updated: January 09, 2008)
Overall rating 
 
4.3
Design 
 
4.0
Perfomance 
 
5.0
Quality 
 
4.0
Value / Money 
 
4.0

Classic touring kayak

About the reviewer


Yeah, that's right, 6 feet 11 inches tall (212cm). I'm a big lad but I've taken to kayaking, unfortunately it hasn't taken to me - I have incredible difficulty finding a boat to fit me and the conditions I like to play in.


Test environment


I've owned the blackwater for 2 years and have been on rivers the Irish Sea Portmarnock & Malahide, estuaries, sea lochs around western Scotland and on the rivers Boyne, Liffey and Blackwater


Review


A go anywhere boat, except on whitewater much above level 2. Called the 10.5 because it's 10 and a half feet long, so not very practical for playboating but when you're my size, I figured you don't have much choice! It's great for a nervous beginner, like I was, very stable, great tracking aided by the drop down skeg. It didn't have a drain bung but then the manufacturers probably didn't expect me to take it out on big water, so I put one in myself, seems to have held together pretty well. Am learning to roll at the moment and it responds very good.


Conclusion


As I say good for the bigger beginners, but in reality it's a touring kayak & perfect for that, I'll be keeping it for the Liffey descent & lazy Sunday afternoons.
However in the meantime, more & more modern designs are providing for the larger paddler & I hope to find something a bit more playful in the near future



Review

Affiliated
No
About Me
Location: Rivers Boyne, Liffey, Blackwater
Age: 36
Weight: 112 kgs
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