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Boat Size 18 years 4 months ago #11244

  • WILLEM
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Hi
I`m looking at buying a new boat, my current one is huge old Swallow, and would like to know about the sizes. Specificaly a Fluid Flirt.
What is the biggest factor, my weight or my length. 1,92m and 88kg.
Would the medium swallow have enough room inside and be easy to get out of?
I understand that the volume also plays a role, bigger water larger volume?

Thanks for any replies.


Willem

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Re:Boat Size 18 years 4 months ago #11245

Because of your size I would only consider the biggest options for a playboat ie. the large Fluid Flirt in this case. Your also pretty tall which certainly plays a role as incase of comfort and being actually able to fit in the boat.

Volume plays some role, but I would say the it's more important what down there in the waterline. What is the lenght and width of the boat and how much the hull of the boat is dispacing water when sitting balanced on the water. If in doubt go for the bigger. A boat that sits too deep in the water is very hard work to paddle in moving water and does not work too well on river feature. A bigger boat means bigger moves both on waves and on holes. A too small boat is only good for flatwater which is pretty boring anyways.

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Re:Boat Size 18 years 4 months ago #11266

Best bet is to try out as many boats u can get your hands on. I know some parts of SA it is quite hard to find boats to test. In parys there is a lot of guys paddling at the vaal(gatsien) and there are a few kayak shops around.

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Re:Boat Size 18 years 4 months ago #11268

Hi Willem,

Paddling a Swallow and then going straight to a playboat is quite a difference. I don't know your paddling skill and don't want to offend you, but it is easy to be caught up in whats cool or fashionable. Try out a few boats and see what you like best. If you want to buy a Fluid then try out the large Spice. It has acres of space. Otherwise there are other choices then too. Robbie will import any Dagger or Wave Sport boat for you. You are more than welcome to try out my EZG60 which is a pretty large river runner. A mate of mine went from a longer river runner/creeker to a large Flirt and he had a terrible time. Being slightly older (about 43), he doesn't have the time to paddle very often and therefore lacks the skill. Although the Flirt is an excellent boat and in the right hands can run almost anything and also a great playboat. Try before you buy ;)

Cheers
Adrian

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