A visit to the Canoexpo to find a boat, upgrading from my touring Blackwater to something big enough to fit into yet small enough to have a bit of fun in. Thanks to all who rose up to the challenge - I'm nearly 7ft tall, 18 stone and size 13 feet, it wasn't going to be easy! Aaron of Squarerock and Woody from Liquidlogic were the most enthusiastic and I was amazed to find my self sitting reasonably comfortably in the Jackson Kayak Super Fun and the Liquidlogic Jefe Grande, also the Remix 79. Tried Dagger Approach 10.0, an Eskimo Cerro and the Pyranha Everest. I would recommend any of these kayaks for your larger than average kayaker. I also tried the Habitat 80, after the crew from WWC managed to free the footrest from behind the pillar. However, many were shocked when I could only get up to my knees in that. All the boats needed to have the footplate/bags removed, and some the hip pads, to allow someone of my size to sit in. Therefore they will all require foam blocks up front to make a footrest and lined with foam sheets to cushion the ankles. After spending all day 'researching' I ended up buying the Pyranha Everest. The most expensive, but it was worth the extra to get a boat that I felt good in.
However, there was only one Everest at the show and they needed it for the next days exhibit. In a way it wasn't too bad, as I'd forgotten my roof bars but I had also arranged to go to The National Water Sport Centre and canoe slalom course the following day - I went anyway and took some photos.. The day after that, I collected my new kayak from the Pyranha factory in Cheshire. Then doggy in tow, we stopped off at the beach near Prestatyn for some exercise before continuing on to Holyhead to catch the ferry home. Can't wait to get on the water in my new Everest.
Author: lemonmeringuepie Keywords: Water Sport Kayak Canoexpo Brookbank Pyranha Everest Dagger Blackwater GT Max Liquidlogic River Trent squarerock Jackson Added: February 23, 2008
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