I am just about to buy my first kayak. i am 184cm (6.1'') and way about 95kg(220) and happely paddle III and IV in a wave sport diesel no problame. i was going to go with what i know (the diesel) but after seeing a mate of mine in a super easy cartwheeling in a hole and surfing waves i have decided to go for some thing a bit more playful. i was looking at the Fluid Spice L and the Jackson 4Fun. but any help is apriciated.

Howsit mate, I'm not in a position to comment on the Jackson 4fun but I can give you advice on the Fluid side of things. The Spice would be ideal for your weight range and runs rivers especially well, to add to that its very quick on a wave so paddling in the ocean will be a blast. You're close to the upper end of the weight range so linking ends in a hole will be stable and fluid (provided you cartwheel right, ofcourse ).
Might i also suggest looking into the Large Flirt, it is more playful than the Spice and runs rivers extremely well - most folks here in SA opt to even creek in their Flirts.
At the end of the day the best thing for you to do is to get your ass into the boats and try them out, which ever one feels best to you is the right boat...demo.

good lines,
Scotty R

I'm 6.1 tall, weigh 80Kg's and paddel a Fluid Flirt M. Are new to the game but can ensure you that the fun is unlimted. I do not run rappids with the Flirt. Try a Solo. Take it from me Man The flirt Rocks!

I'm also 6.1, weigh 80kg's and paddle a Fluid Flirt M. Am new to the game but can ensure you man that I'm having endless fun! I do not run rappids - try the Solo. but for playing the Flirt is the way to go.

Seeing as though you already have the Diesel, perhaps the Fluid Nemesis will interest you...? It is more playful and radical than the Flirt but with less river running potential. The Flirt is a legend here in SA already. The Spice is great too but will be slower to spin and react while playboating than something like the Flirt. It is, afterall, a river running play boat and not a full on play machine. Try some of them out, if you can.

I have no idea on the 4Fun. Never paddled one.

G'day Mate
Thanks for the info. have justed had a good look at the flirt. just when i thought my decision was made. ha ha. do you think that it is to big a step going from a Diesel to a flirt. thats why i looked at the Spice. i am also a pretty strong guy so can probably compinsate for the size of the Spice(when begining to learn to play). oh and i have only been paddling for eight months.

That's a little tricky to answer. The Spice would be maybe two steps on from the Diesel in terms of responsiveness and then the Flirt another step or so. It is a tough choice. It depends on what you want to do. I'm also a strong dude and trust me, you will not be able to cartwheel or spin as fast in a Spice as you would in something like the Flirt. Aerial moves will be far easier in something like the Flirt or Nemesis.

Ask yourself. Do you want to mostly play in holes and surf waves and run reasonably easy rivers in your new boat? Or you do want to mainly just run rivers and play on the odd wave/hole? Does that help a little?

Yeah well i am from the east coast of australia and there are some nice year round rivers hear but no real off the hook play spots. i would have to go somewaer down south like Penrith white water stadium to realy carve up. i am trying out for a gob as a full time kayaking intsructor so if i get that it will definatly be worth wile getting a full on play boat as work will pay for our trips to Penrith. until then i might have to stay with something that wont kick my ass to much.

You'll be surprised just how forgiving the Flirt is, I used a small on the Zambezi for a season and day in and day out the boat handled beautifully so you don't have to worry about getting spanked. Although there will be some adjustment but nothing you shouldn't be able to handle. Just give 'em all a try if you can.

Regards
Scotty R

I have both a Fluid Flirt L and a Jackson Super Fun. Both are great boats! You have to be more aggressive paddling the Flirt, it pearls easier and is a bit of a box to roll. The Fun is really easy to role, more predictable as a river runner, lighter, easier to get in and out of, and built for all day comfort (also drier). I bought the Jackson as an all around boat...river running, big water and playing when I didn't bring a full on playboat.

I have a South African friend who really likes the Flirt L, but also really likes the 4Fun (does't have either one in his fleet).

Moving from a Diesel to Fun would be a comfortable move. I have recommended the Jackson 2007 Funs to a number of newer paddlers this season and have seen them being used as river runners and playboats to their owners delight.

Definately try both brands or a number of different brands and models. If you can't, go for the Jackson.

Hey mate,
I have a Jackson 4Fun and would highly recommend it. It's very comfortable, great to paddle and really dry. You don't appreciate the dry bit until you go back to another brand of boat and have water sloshing around your butt. You should handle the move from the Diesel to the 4Fun with no problems as it is quite forgiving, easy to roll but still plays well. There are no 07 Jacksons available in Australia until towards the end of the year so it could be a bit of a wait unless you get the 06 version.
Cheers

I did a long demo in the Spice L before buying the 4fun. I enjoyed the handling and all around ability of the Spice but what sold me on the 4fun was the ligher weight, shorter length, and I found it much more comfortable on my feet and ankles. Like you, I wanted something more playful than the Diesel for my first boat. In retrospect I am wondering if I should have got something even more playful than the 4Fun but it will take me a while to max out the ability of the 4Fun so it should keep me happy for a while.

hey, I'd def recommend demo'ing the star range dependant on your weight. I paddle the Allstar and love it it's a really forgiving boat and great fun, more fun than the fun range. They also have the superstar which is the size up form the allstar. if your thinking of a jackson definatly go all out and get one from the star range not the fun range as your skills will very quickly outgrow the fun range where the star range theres no moves you cant achieve really.

the new Allstars are much faster on a wave than the old ones aswell and have better outfitting.