Salutations guys and gals.

Looking at getting into the sport. Surfed as a youngster on Florida east coast, and am looking at the same for wave riding in a kayak. First time posting here, and finding everything VERY informative, thanks to all that post.

Looking at the possibility of one of two for now, again, for wave kayaking only, pretty much.

6' even
245 lbs (hoping a bit of the yakking might take that down a peg, lol)

Looking at the necky bliss 8.0 or the dagger mamba 8.5.

Would prefer the necky, only because of close proximity of purchase and price (bout 200 bucks less, lol).

The necky and mamba are both rated to bout 250.

In site review, i see the necky with a 3.5 out of 5, and the mamba with a 4.5.

Would the bliss suit my needs, remembering that jax surf is typically bout a 2-3 foot swell, with 5-6 on the good days.

Thanks much in advance for the input

Laz

In addition, the option of a wilderness systems kaos sit on top exists, but think the sit in the hull type would be a bit more fun and comfortable. The only other thing this boat will be doing seldomly on occasion is riding down a slow moving springs for relaxation, etc.

Thanks again!!

What you need is a surf kayak. Check out this article:
adrian.playak.com/index.php?option=com_c...=view&id=93&Itemid=5

Apart from the Fluid Element, there are a lot of other manufacturers out there. Like Mega, Murky Waters, Valley, Riot and a whole bunch which someone will probably post below me.

A sit on top is no comparison and will never ride a wave properly. Maybe you need two boats already! hehehe

I would probably prod you in the direction of a surf designed kayak if you are looking to surf... If you want a river boat (which you can surf) I would try to send you into something shorter than those. A good playboat/rrplayboat.

The reason being is you will have more fun in the surf and be able to make corrections easier... I used to paddle long ww boats in the surf and now that technology has advanced I wouldnt do it anymore (sidesurfing got boaring)

Jackson, Fluid, Pyranha LL all have good options.

Keep these numbers

not much longer than 7 feet
volume about 55-65 gal
Plaining hull

It is easier to make corrections and carve a shorter boat...

Possibility of a jackson super fun exists. Checked out the element and my big fat butt is too much for it, sadly, at 250, the boat is rated from what i can see to 220. Nothing quite to make you feel as overweight as you are, than sinking yer first ride, lol.

Thoughts on the superfun?

weight was one of my largest issues when I started paddling again.

The JK superfun would work well indeed. Rocking boat, Im buying one myself in the near future for river running. Also a great boat to learn in.
also

Fluid Spice L, Flirt L
Bliss Stick RAD 195 (believe me!)
Wavesport Fuse 64, Super EZ, Project 62
Pyranha Recoil L
LL CR 250 (POS IMO)

any of these would be good for surfing ocean waves and still float you well. If you find something out there you like post back and let us knnow

Well guys and gals, the opinions were weighed, and taken into consideration. Due to price point and various informed opinions of the model, went with the Dagger Mamba 8.5. Bought used in good condition, and am looking forward to the day that i have what it takes to ride as well as others.

Question remaining. Although in great condition, didn't come with any type of documentation, and am wondering if any would have a link of any sort to some e-documentation. Checked the dagger website, and get a page can't be displayed error when trying to access owner's manual. Know in this wonderful world of the internet there HAS to be somewhere that has adjustment instructions for the model. Have the wife calling Dagger tomorrow, while i am at work, woot stay at home mom, lol. But any direction would be greatly appreciated, and look forward to regaling you all with tales of the drink and counting fishes.

Thanks Mucho,

Laz

raganlarry wrote:

Looking at the possibility of one of two for now, again, for wave kayaking only, pretty much.

And you bought a Dagger Mamba....?? For wave surfing?

Yea i agree with adrian have you changed what your from surfing to river running or creaking or are u still going to be surfing the seas??

Will be a mixture of both, as the more i am thinking about it, the more fresh water runs are sounding appealing. I guess the couple of thoughts as i made the decision, were, A) Availability. Had one on sale close by for purchase. Checked ALL the local and not so local shops with nothing returning but touring. Price. Was able to complete the set at a price that was within my range (know that shouldn't be a deciding factor, but with three rugrats to feed, had to keep it in mind). C) Stability and Rating. All reviews that i have read on the boat say that for a beginner this is an extremely stable boat. Might upgrade at one point but for all purposes, this hybrid seemed to cover allot of ground, and was an easy learning boat. D) I'm a big fat fatty, lol. Was VERY limited on what boats i could do, due to size. The original thought was the superfun, but after reviewing the price point for the entire package, woulda broke me.

Know that this probly wasn't the best choice concerning the model, but add up the availability, price, location, stability and other things and it was my best option for now. Sides fellas, am only gonna be doin the bunny waves for a bit, lol.

Out of curiosity, the boat is at 8.5 feet. the superfun at 7. Knowing that that extra foot will result in less maneuverability, will it really make that much difference. In looking into it, saw that the mamba had a semi flat plane hull with rails for carving. Will this absolutely not do for what i have in mind?

Thanks for the info,

Laz

If you want a surfing boat that isnt 2 expensive then the fluid element is a good choice but if you don't mind paying that bit extra mega and valley make great surfboats