I'm a Team WS paddler who has paddled most of the top playboat designs out there over the years on a huge variety of playspots.

I've had the Project 52 on all types of playspots, from Skookumchuck to shallow holes.

First off, the boat fits perfectly as soon as you hop in it. Extremely comfy with the new outfitting. When I hop in other boats with different outfitting, it just doesn't feel as "cushy." Wave surfing is where this kayak really excels. It is faster than both ZG's, as well as being slightly looser. The Project 52 has the width of the ZG 54 so edging both boats is equally easy. It is very balanced in holes, so cartwheeling is very predictable. It is not as stable on end as the ZG series due to its short length and compressed volume, however this causes the Project to loop much bigger and easier than the ZG. Its length is great for shallow rivers as well. The picture Playak has here is actually the Project 62, which I have not paddled. On big waves the Project 52 is faster than the ZGs and looser than any boat I've ever tried, hands down. Everyone who has hopped in my 52 has said the same thing. Speed has ben increased from the ZG without sacrificing hop on a wave, which is a very hard thing to design.

This is by far the best overall performing spud boat out there as of early 2006. The other short boats I've been in feel very sluggish on waves compared to the Project. I just got finished working with Huge Experiences, the travelling school for kayakers. Most of the kids got a chance to get out of their boats and hop in the project, and several of them said they wanted one of their own. It all comes down to comparing the performance of as many boats as possible before buying. I truly believe that if you try the Project against all other current playboats, you will find for yourself what I have written above.