Been paddling a year in a variety of Rivers from a float to a Class 3 and in one unfortunate incident a 3+. Been using a WS Z with fare success but was having a hard time with stern squirts throwing me around.....usually upside down. Read a journalists review on the hoss..."big brother that will take you under it's wing...great for beginners" and so forth. When he mentioned it didn't stern quirt and was easy to roll I was sold.

Test location: Adams, Cottonwood, Quesnel Canyon.

Had it sent to meet me in Kamloops on my vacation. Tested it out on the Adams River. Fell in love with it instantly. It's initial stability isn't as pronounced as the Z but the secondary is freaking amazing. Got it home and did the Quesnel Canyon. I know those whirlpools would of pulled the stern down in the Z but the hoss handled them with ease. The oncoming wavetrains were "eating" my fellow kayakers in their playboats while I was free sailing over the tops. Sure they wanted to get smashed around but I didn't.

It's definitely a great boat for the larger beginner paddler. As you can tell from the size and shape, it's not a playboat but it is a stable, reliable river runner. It really is the "big brother" that looks after me.