[img]images/boats/fluid-flirt-03-thumb.gif[/img]Boats Database: Fluid Flirt Medium

The Flirt features a large planing hull with a bit of kick-rocker at the bow and stern. It spins better than any boat out there and bounces on command. Arial moves come naturally, opening a new dimension to your fun sensors. Engage the full-length carving rails with aggressive cut-aways at the stern, and hold on for a fast ride. Not happy with the carving yet? Get yourself a set of industry-standard fins (also used on wakeboards and kiteboards) and screw them into the new innovative fin mounting system. The mounting plate can be set at different angles, which means that you can customize the carving performance according to the type of wave you’re surfing. Want to switch to old-style cartwheeling splitwheeling mode? No problem, this boat enjoys being vertical, with the relatively wide ends adding control to the motion. Add the balanced volume to the equation, which is just enough to make the boat retentive in a hole but not so much that it will hinder your flatwater performance, and you get a boat that will rock your world.

hi does anyone have one of these boats? i am looking for a new playboat, i currently have a riot orbit which i am planning on selling, i have learnt to cartwheel loop and do other moves in my orbit and wondering if the flirt will help me progress and if it is a better boat?any replies would be appreciated thanks.
mike

Sorry, i don't know much about the boat....but...

playak.com/index.php?option=com_joomlabo...=12745&catid=124

Check that out, there's a guy selling one, i'm sure he'll know about it



Hope that helps
Kicks

I have a medium Flirt. It is my first playboat so maybe i am not the best judge but i am very pleased with it. Mine has the old outfitting, the new outfitting is very comfortable I understand.

I have a Medium Flirt as well, with the new outfitting. I don't know much about the old outfitting but the new one is really nice.

It's also not my first playboat but I really like it a lot. It's got a bit of volume that one needs to get used to when you're learning your first skills (like me) but other than that I am really happy with it.

Being 6'4\" (35\" inseam, size 11 shoes) and 83 kilo's the Medium fits me pretty tight but still has enough volume to trust it on the river.

I also like the symmetrical feel it has, making cartwheeling (if I can finally nail it, it's too much of a 50-50 chance now ) a lot more stable than in the Riot Tekno and Dagger G-Force I owned previously.

As far as I can tell this is a great boat but then again, if you're on the level of Billy Harris you can find some flaws in the design (as I read somewhere on this forum).

If you have any questions, just let me know.

Hi Mike,
I have a flirt and am quite happy with the boat. The volume is nicely displaced and it is easy to throw it around. I have seen guys doing flatwater loops in it like crazy. I think this is an excelent boat for people that is going from intermediate to a more advanced level.
I did speak to Billy Harris the other day and it seems like some of the top athletes think it's a bit out dated. Which is fair, 'cause the boat is very forgiving and i think it was designed for people who is still in the learning curve.
I personally think the new outfitting is top of its class, very comfy and simple. I bet you'll break your boat before you have problems with the outfitting.
So if you want something that is good in a hole, good on a wave and easy to throw around and getting air, go for it.
If you want something more top class, i'll wait for the nemesis (if it is a fluid boat you want)
Just remember, before buying try out as many boats as you can. Pick one you feel good in. What works for one guy might not work for you.
Cheers
Joe

Forgot to mention: fluid link: www.fluidkayaks.com
adios

hi thanks for all the posts, im still liking the sound of the boat, especially the outfitting.

im going to the outdoorshow soon where last year fluid had a demo stand so im hopefuly going to try it out there and buy it.
thanks for all the comments and more would be appreciated especially if anyone has sen this boat ben thrown around


cheers
mike

If it doesn't work out for you (i.e. you can't find a Flirt) get in touch with the Dutch representatives at Outdoor Valley. Due to a lack of a UK representative they did a Fluid promotion tour last year and they should know who would be the UK representative or they can help you out getting a boat overthere.

You can contact them by e-mail: [mail address protected from spambots with javascript]

Please tell them I said hi and they know where you're coming from. Chances are they charge you extra because you admit you know me

Hi Mike,

I don't have a Flirt but have paddled all 3 sizes and in particular the medium on several occassions as every man and his dog has one here. It is a very cool boat to paddle. It feels looser than my Zero Gravity and spins super fast. I haven't had the chance to try it on a big wave or the ocean but it feels very nice. I prefer cartwheeling my ZG and EZG although thats probably because I'm used to them.

The Flirt is also a very good river runner, which might be something that appeals to you. Provided of course you're in the correct weight range, which you should be even if you wanted to play.

The Nemesis will be out very soon and will be a more radical play boat with a new design (obviously) and much less river running potential. Something to consider.

You might want to check this out:

adrian.playak.com/index.php?option=com_c...p;id=18&Itemid=5

The last 3 pics is one of the Nemesis prototypes. I find the plastic to be really good on the Fluid boats. The outfitting has been improved and is in the process of being upgraded all the time.

I've managed to fit into a small (6\" 85kg's), it was pretty good fun but a little edgy and flushed out quickly because of the lack of volume. The large is really a beast. Possible to flat water cartwheel but requires a lot of muscling... Suited for very tall and/or heavy people. Loads of room in there. The medium suits most folk.

Good luck mate

Just out of interest. The outfitting is currently under going more change. The new seat has the Fluid logo and is very plush. The back band has the brand name and is larger and the material is very soft to the touch too. The logo on the outside has a nice silver outline. This is just some prototype outfitting to make the boats even better. Grab handles have been made differently and are a smaller diameter. I'm sure in the next few months there will be further improvements and these will be implemented into production boats. Hopefully the thigh braces will be re-designed to wrap on the outside of the thigh.

I took these photos this weekend at the Thrombi X-Fest

hey mike,

I paddled for Fluid in the UK and have been paddling the flirt for the last 18 months here.

Overall it is a great all round boat being designed to 'river run to a play spot'. It definately works well in the UK. It's very happy to run grade 4, i've taken mine around the lakes and some rivers in wales, being both fast and reliable to get the lines you want. Being based in Nottingham and London, i get to paddle holes and waves. This boat is very well balanced whilst cartwheeling, loops big and is fast and responsive on waves.

There are some images of me dancing in it on www.adamnorfolk.co.uk

If you need any more information or a possible meet up for a demo e-mail me on [mail address protected from spambots with javascript]

Hope some of this helps cheers adam