Greetings! I'm in the process of buying myself a freestyle playboat and need some advise when it comes to picking the right size for me.

My measurements:
Height with bare feet: 171 cm (5' 8")
Weight without clothes: 71-72 kg (158 lbs)

The kayak models I'm considering:
Dagger Agent 6.2
Dagger Kingpin 6.2
Pyranha Rev M
Wave Sport Project 52

I'm fairly certain that these are the right size for someone like me, but I want to be absolutely certain and listen to more experienced paddlers when it comes to picking the right size. I'm not experienced at all when it comes to playboating. I've tried to pick sizes where I fit in the middle of their weight range (which is what I assume is the best fit).

From what I understand, lately the Dagger kayaks have evolved a more "cheap" feel. Softer plastic, screws and bolts coming loose and easily dented, deformed and cracked. I've also read some bad reviews regarding their inflatable hip pads, but as these reviews say, the hip pads can be replaced by ordinary foam pads.

Regarding the Pyranha Rev, it seems that some people feel that the shape of the hull makes it slower than other freestyle kayaks. Is this a major issue and a big drawback or simply nothing a novice like me would take any notice of without any experience first?

I've yet to read a bad review of the Wave Sport Project. It has been unchanged for years and is by many considered the best freestyle kayak out there. However, it is not as easily obtained from my local dealers. This is why I'm considering Dagger and Pyranha.

Any tips, advise and comments are highly appreciated.

If I were you I would add the 2010 Jackson All Star to that list.
I am 5'8" and 175 lbs and the new All Star fits me perfect.
Hold out for the new 2010 version, it's a major step up over the old version.
The 2010 All Stars are easer to padel, more responsive and faster than the old one.

ive just gone through the same thing not so long ago.

I was debating between different makes/models etc The best advice is always the old stuff and that is demo demo demo. I went to a store and sat in a load of boats the project, the superstar, the nemesis and the biscuit. I questioned the wavesports build quality but like there site says world champion results speak for themselves, i also wanted to discount the nemesis because it also felt cheap and like my legs were to far apart. In the end i demo'd the superstar, nemesis and the biscuit. I came out the store with a biscuit, not saying thats the best but its what i felt most comfortable in.

I loved the superstar and the nemesis(after paddling it) the nemesis turns on a penny and is maneuverable, the jackson is the same and my god is it comfortable bless Eric Jackson for happy feet as its genius.

Im 6ft3 and over a 100kg so your gonna be in the market for a smaller boat than me but the same applies, go and demo everything you can.

You'll probably find that u will fit in certain boats easier than others but thats because fluids medium is not the same as a pyranha medium for instance. make sure you take them on the water, moving water if possible. Dont know where you live but if its the uk find a brookbank store they have massive amounts of choice

hope this helps

matt

Matt,

Given your size is extremely close to mine..., 6ft. 220lbs., which 2010 Jackson Star did you paddle?

I'm really trying to decide between the Super Star and Mon-Star. I'm so paranoid that if I gain even a lbs. or two, the Super Star will be too low in the water and the Mon-Star might feel much like swinging a barge around the water at 72 gallons.

Thanks alot for your input guys. I actually DID add Jackson All Star to my list after posting this. Sadly, Norway has a fairly small whitewater kayaking community and my options are limited. Especially if I want my new boat this season (which is exactly what I want). Demoing is equally difficult with the long distances I would have to travel in order to demo anything at all (demoing the right model size would be pure luck).

With the limited ammount of dealers (only a couple answered my e-mails), I ended up having to choose between Dagger and Pyranha. So I went with Pyranha. Of course the Rev had to be ordered so I'll have my new boat some time in September (late August if I'm lucky). Most norwegian kayak dealers focus on touring sea kayaks (which is silly considering the whitewater opportunities in norway).

I'm fairly certain that the Rev will turn out good (I'm hearing really good things about the outfitting). I know it's a gamble buying without demoing first, but it was a chance I was willing to take. Even with the higher prices here in norway.

To illustrate:
Price for a new playboat in the US: 900 $ (correct me if I'm way off)
Price for a new playboat in Norway: 9900 Nkr
9990 Nkr = 1600 $

/sigh

In the US, some playboats are $815 (Fluid Flirt), the Jackson Star series is $1199, and boats like the Prijon Hercules (creekboat) are $1419.

aquayonex

I didnt try the 2010 series as its not out in the UK here yet, i heard end of september? i might be wrong though, in case any1 corrects me. lol On one hand id like to give one a go on the other i dont purely because if i like it itll cost me lots of pennies. nearly a grand i think over hear!

I tried the 2007 range known as the classic now i thnk. i have only seen the pictures and videos on the website so i cant tell you if the cockpit is the same etc etc. maybe some1 else on here can???

As for your weight and height, i wouldnt worry about it. Ill explain. When i demo'd and sat in the afore mentioned boats i weighed 16.5st (230lbs) and obviously i was 6ft 3in (i haven't grown in the last month) i fitted fine in all the big playboats. I have since then lost a stone and a half (go me) and i have bags of room, one of the reasons for choosing the biscuit was that it felt really comfortable and i had lots of room. The bad ass outfitting is the muts danglies, and there is loads of scope for moving hip pads etc etc. (i used the hip pads for my heels!) there is a guy at my club who must be 18st and 6ft ish and he got in it and it still sits fine in the water.

If i remember rightly the project was the tightest, the nemesis was also very roomy i just didnt like how far apart my legs were. its maybe something you can get used to but its just not for me.

Swinging a barge around. lol i suppose that would be like looping a sea kayak! ive seen a guy on the river with a mon-star and it did look quite big, but if your a big guy then it wont i suppose???

hope this helps.

matt

REV is a great boat! hey if there aren't any good WW shops.. could be a sweet business opportunity for ya to start a shop! go on and expand the love of kayaking to others!