Kayak design has moved on so much since I started to paddle some 30+ years ago. The level or difficulty at which people paddle is owed in some part to the change in kayak design over the years.
I currently paddle a Dagger Phantom and despite it being used for pretty much the same stuff as my first plastic kayak – an Ace Swing, yet the technology and features are simply worlds apart.
So if you are looking for a kayak packed full of safety features what are you actually looking for?
We are starting to see more details of the new Dagger Nova and Super Nova emerge. Both kayaks are double slice boats with better volume distribution and foot room compared to the double slice kayaks of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
More Dagger Nova And Super Nova
Dagger have released a couple of promo videos showing the two new kayaks in action.
Welcome to Unsponsored and Movie Monday 16 May 2022. Movie Monday is our weekly showcase of edits we have spotted over the last week. If you have an edit you would like to share then please let us know.
A common problem faced by paddlers each time they buy a new boat. Reasons for such problems can be placed in to one of two categories;
* The paddlers kit is letting the water in. * The boat is really leaking.
If your paddling kit doesn’t fit correctly it will leak and yes the boat will fill with water. If it’s a simple case of ill fitting dry top or deck then the solution may be easy but expensive – get some kit that fits. On the other hand your kit may need a little TLC – check seals/seams and repair or replace as necessary.
Corran Addison is bringing the Booster back to the water. Updated for 2022.
The Booster Is Back
A little more than a decade ago, an entire class of boat simply disappeared: the playful river runner. These were truly great boats because they bridged that gap between a hard core creek boat, and a play boat. They could run fairly hard rapids, while remaining entertaining and easy to paddle, and muck about in.
The Booster changed how a playful river runner was supposed to handle. With a planing hull, playful handling, but in a format that could run rivers well, the Booster was the choice of instructional centres, beginners padlers, and even advanced and expert paddlers looking to mix it up. Everyone loved the Booster.
A lot has changed since the original Booster was released. Hulls are faster, looser and more forgiving. Rocker profiles make them more predictable, with a dryer ride, and overall ergonomics leave those sitting in old boats feeling cramped. The new Booster takes the performance of the original, and puts it squarely on a platform that is comfortable, forgiving, fast and loose, boofs like a charm, is super forgiving in even the most unpredictable waters, without paddling with the comparative sluggishness of creek boats.
Whether you’re a beginner, looking for something easy and exciting to get into and grow with, or an accomplished paddler that wants something more interesting than a full creek boat without going to a half slice, the Booster has you covered.
We have launched a new series for 2022 looking back at some of the kayak designs from the last 30 years. This one is the second in the series. In part one we took a look at the Dagger AQII, in part two we take a look at another Dagger kayak, the Freefall.
Eric Jackson talks us through his new kayak, The Ringer. Constructed from full carbon this prototype is the beginning of Apex moving fully into the whitewater market.
Apex Ringer Carbon Prototype
Quick walkthrough of the Ringer prototype in Carbon Fiber… Hull is amazing so far- deck needs work- it is going to lose some weight, drop cockpit rim a lot, etc. Still have to finalize outfitting concepts and design them. Cockpit rim/thigh braces, tweak the seat some. But all stuff I would expect to do if I am designing something new from scratch. Check it out!
Eric Jackson
At 23lbs the Ringer carbon light. Carbon fibre seat and suicide block as a thigh brace (for the time being).
Exo Kayaks have released two new kayaks under the Zion name. Both share the same hull design. They were due to into production back in late 2021 but have only now just started to come of out the production facility for outfitting and testing.
Zion Slalom
The Zion Slalom sits as 271cm in length with a 66cm width and a volume of 298l.
How can you make a fully carbon Pyranha Jed better?
Well Trevor Bouldin had an idea and called in some help from Jean-Luc Robichaux to make it happen.
Custom Pyranha Jed
To get the ultimate level of outfitting Trevor put a Soul Waterman Power Seat in the Jed. The Power Seat retails at $199.99 and removes the need of a backband with ratchets.
Back in 2019 Eric Jackson left Jackson Kayaks to focus on a new line of fishing/recreational kayaks under the Apex branding. Now well established Apex is now looking at the whitewater market.
Apex Whitewater Kayaks – Apex Ringer
The Apex Ringer is already in the pipeline at 9 foot long and under 23lbs this composite kayak looks like it will be a lot of fun. However, as the Ringer is ultimately being designed to win races it will eventually be constructed in plastic.
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