About myself

Hi im 16 5'8 and got about size 9 feet, I've only been paddling for about 2 years and previous to my Project 52 i had an ina-zone 232 which was a good boat but not really the best for anything, since i got the project my river running and play boating has come on loads

About the test environment

I first tried this boat at a demo day and along with the fluild flirt, the ZG and the prototype pyranha rev, i thought the project came out the best. i have recently paddled the project on the river irwell in Manchester which is about a grade ii /iii at high water which it was and also on the Washburn a dam release

Review

What can i say i absolutely love this boat. Before i got my P52 the best play boating move i could do it an ender and that was with a bit of water in my boat, now i can throw down ends on flat water and in a hole, i can bow stall and am on my way to learning to loop. My river running has come on as well, and seeing that the project has got the same volume as my ina-zone it sits nicely on the water, surprisingly i find that the edges don't catch and I've only been back looped once (and that was my fault any way). On a wave this boat is fast, it carves nicely from side to side and will respond to the subtlest change in edges, it's amazing. In a hole the boat stays on the surface well, until you initiate a move and then it is super quick. The best part of all is that is mega easy to roll

Outfitting
The outfitting is lush, the seat is really comfortable and can be move easily to suit your style, the thigh braces hold you nicely and the hip pads are shaped to fit you hips (who would have thought it)

Conclusion

I recommend this boat or a project of a bigger or smaller size to anyone, they are just fantastic and will progress you loads

Good and comfy

I'm a Team WS paddler who has paddled most of the top playboat designs out there over the years on a huge variety of playspots.

I've had the Project 52 on all types of playspots, from Skookumchuck to shallow holes.

First off, the boat fits perfectly as soon as you hop in it. Extremely comfy with the new outfitting. When I hop in other boats with different outfitting, it just doesn't feel as "cushy." Wave surfing is where this kayak really excels. It is faster than both ZG's, as well as being slightly looser. The Project 52 has the width of the ZG 54 so edging both boats is equally easy. It is very balanced in holes, so cartwheeling is very predictable. It is not as stable on end as the ZG series due to its short length and compressed volume, however this causes the Project to loop much bigger and easier than the ZG. Its length is great for shallow rivers as well. The picture Playak has here is actually the Project 62, which I have not paddled. On big waves the Project 52 is faster than the ZGs and looser than any boat I've ever tried, hands down. Everyone who has hopped in my 52 has said the same thing. Speed has ben increased from the ZG without sacrificing hop on a wave, which is a very hard thing to design.

This is by far the best overall performing spud boat out there as of early 2006. The other short boats I've been in feel very sluggish on waves compared to the Project. I just got finished working with Huge Experiences, the travelling school for kayakers. Most of the kids got a chance to get out of their boats and hop in the project, and several of them said they wanted one of their own. It all comes down to comparing the performance of as many boats as possible before buying. I truly believe that if you try the Project against all other current playboats, you will find for yourself what I have written above.