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Review Detail
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
Age: 36
Weight: 112 kgs