I am 5'10" 175 and have been paddling for close to 20 years--the past 5 years I have probably averaged close to 150 days per year on the water. I have been recommending the Vision to paddlers for the past several months without giving it a test ride; just going on what I have seen of fellow paddlers on the Po' at Great Falls.

Sunday, March 27, 2005 I had the opportunity to finally give the Vision a test run at Center Chute on the Potomac. The level was between 5.3 and 5.4, closer to 5.4, on the Little Falls gauge--about perfect for this legendary playspot, which was a wave with a good foam pile in this day!

While attaining up to Center Chute I was a little skeptical of how the boat would perform: I was pearling quite a bit in the flat water and on eddy lines on the attainment. Well, most of us never go out to play in flatwater and what the Vision lacks on flatwater and eddylines it more than makes up for on a wave.

I went out for my first ride and flushed on my attempt at a Blunt. However, on my second ride I went off--Blunts both ways, grinds and a Helix--which are few and far between for me. The vision was incredibly fast on the wave in a front surf and even faster when you put it on edge--that rail system is just unbelievable. There were so many times I thought I was going to flush and didn't simply by putting the Vision on edge. It was the loosest boat I have ever been in! Moreover, it was incredibly easy to throw down.

I spent about 3 hours at Center Chute in the Vision and had a hard time leaving. I was able to throw some loops as well and I am pretty sure I could have thrown a couple of Donkey Flips, but I was swimming in the outfitting and was afraid of coming out of the boat if I tried. No telling what I could have pulled off if I had tighter hip pads and a seat belt--not that I am advocating the wearing of seatbelts!! I have paddled every other Liquid Logic Playboat and not liked any of them. Shane finally got this one right!!!

If anyone is in the market for a new playboat--this is definitely a boat one should look at!!

If you are in the DC area you can E-mail Jim Buley at
gotcharc@yahoo.com to set up a demo.

SYOTR,

Steve