Is a boat that is 7'2 too long for playboating moves? I am looking to get a playboat and the Recoil looks like a nice design. At least the medium size. I, however, am going to fit into the large, 35 inseam and 210 lbs, but this boat doesn't seem to have the playability of the medium due to it's length, 7'2. The volume in the bow also looks like to much for double pumps. I could very easily be wrong, that's why I'm asking.

I learned in an Ace 4.7, which was about that long, but I think it was a good bit sliceyer. That or an EZ would be a good step for a beginner.

I learned flatwater stuff in a Glide, which is 8' 2\" long. I still play on a regular basis in my DragoRossi Pintail which is about 7' 4\" long. It just takes a small adjustment in technique and you're all set. You don't need a sub 6' boat to play well. They may not loop as easily, but I think the longer boats cartwheel with more control.

I'm in a 6'8\" large Fluid Flirt, it works just fine, and is probably big enough for you if you're still looking at other options.

Have you tried the Recoil yet. Because I sat in one and found there wasn't much foot room and it was very uncomfortable for me legs, just what I found.

Alex

video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-239602...r+canoeing&hl=en

take a look at this long boat cartwheeling.

I am not only concerned with the length. Take a look at the bow of the boat www.pyranha.com/osb/itemdetails.cfm?ID=135. It just seems like to much volume for a flatwater double pump.

Yup. Looks like a good amount of volume up in the ends. Probably be ok in a good hole or strong eddy line but certainly not a flatwter boat.

The problem with this range of boats is that these \"river runners\" are trying to fill the gap between dedicated creekers and playboats. That's a big gap to try to cover. A boat like the recoil seems to focus a bit more on the river running aspect with some playability added to it. The Pintail does that for me, but it's a little more slicey so thus more playable (but offset by the length to make it fast for river runnine). A boat like the Fun series sacrifices some of the benefits that more even volume would give you for river running for increased playability, but still not a play specific boat.

(I must say at this point that I despise the \"river runner\" designation. I\"m just using it as a convention because people are accustomed to hearing it. Seriously though, what whitewater kayak is NOT a \"river runner\"?)

It might be helpful to understand what you want to do for play, which rivers you are on most frequently, and if you want to play in small features and will only take the boat down low-volume stuff, or if you are a big volume river type of guy.

I have never paddled a recoil or even seen one but looking at the specs compared to my EZG60. That large recoil is 12cm longer, so a little longer. 4 litres more in volume, a touch bigger. Interesting enough the weight range is 75-105kg for the recoil and 82-109kg for the EZG60.

Whats my point. Being lighter than you (85kg/ 187 lbs?) I quite enjoy my EZG60t. I can flatwater cartwheel it no problem, although it requires more effort than my ZG54. I can flat water loop it too, although it's not as clean is the ZG. (only learnt to floop about 6 weeks ago!)

Cartwheels are more controlled in a longer boat but generally, a shorter boat will outplay a longer boat with the advanced moves these days. Try out that recoil. Then you'll know for sure.. Have fun...

id say that when Pyranha talk abou the recoils playability, they are mainly refering to its ability to surf a wave. That boat due to the volume in the ends, is going to be exceptionally dificult to cartwheel withou a strong feature to help. If your looking for a playboat that runs rivers well, just get a full on playboat unless your just learning. If your looking for more of a classic, just rune the river type thing with some playability, than the recail should be fine.

robmeister wrote:

id say that when Pyranha talk abou the recoils playability, they are mainly refering to its ability to surf a wave. That boat due to the volume in the ends, is going to be exceptionally dificult to cartwheel withou a strong feature to help.

I disagree. If your technique is down and your're roughly the right body weight, you'll be able to flat water cartwheel it. If I didn't live at the end of the world were we don't have that many different boats, I would get hold of one and video myself.

Just look at Ken Whiting flat water carthwheeling a Wave Sport Z on his old videos. Big boat...

i do have to agree with adrian. im not a little boater (about 15 stone) but i can cartwheel things like the pyranha stretch (not that smaller boat) and i can get a wavesport diesel 65 on its bow. i have friends my size who cannot do that so i would say get your technique down in a longer boat and you will have no problem when you move into smaller boat (if you do that is). i learnt in a wavesport big ez and am glad i did, my brother on the other hand learnt in a jackson allstar and finds it hard to cartwheel the bigger boats now. looking at the recoil though i would have to say it probibly has alittle too much volume to start off learning to cartwheel.
hope my has helped

OK. I definately agree that it could be cartwheeled with good technique. But I am learning to cartwheel. So I guess I should look at an easier boat.
Thanks for the input!

I'm A big Jackson fan and I love my All Star. If you can fit in the Fun series or the Star series bolth boats will definatly do the moves. I would definatly test drive one.

If you want to do play boating moves, go buy a play boat. It's pretty simple. Just because you can cartwheel a creek boat, doesn't make it play boat. It just means your really strong and have great technique.

To answer the original question of how long is too long for a playboat?

---> How long is a piece of string?