About myself

I have always been an avid fisherman who thought kayakers were nuts. Then last summer my wife bought me a mad river canoe in hopes of calming my middle age crissis. Wrong. I skipped the rec kayaks completely, took a demo in a creeker on the middle yough which was way too squirlly for this beginner. Did some homework and bought a mamba 8.5

About the test environment

Started with roll classes at the Y and tried lower Shavers Fork. Then upper Laurel Creek and lower Dry Fork. Class 1&2+'s used to learn eddy turns and what not.

Review

Being as I only had canoe exp on water including Class 3, I can not compair this boat to other kayaks. But I can tell you this; It is easy to roll, feels very solid on turbulent lines and in eddy turns. It is a very comfortable fit with tons of room.

Conclusion

I am now riding down the streams mentioned with lots of volume to include Middle Laurel, Three Forks, most of the Tygart through Arden, Buckhannon, Buffalo and more in a great boat. I would highly reccomend this boat to beginners and have to friends who now own Mamba's. Two more conclusions; Us kayakers are nuts, and my wife (who has no interest in whitewater) should have bought me a harley.
Happy Kakin !