RAPTOR – first rewiev
Honza asked me, if I would be willing to write review of Raptor. I wanted to, but also did not want to write anything close to PR. Dear PR opposers and haters, I am with you, believe me , but the article is over for you, sorry. From now on I will be serious, subjective and realistic about my first impressions of paddling the Raptor.
Serious So, I have to seriously admit, that even being very picky about boats and being able to discuss their shapes for ages, it is easier for me to sort them according to the ones I like and the ones I do not. It is important for me to think the boat suits me, I like it and I am happy with it.
The issue of a color has been solved on this webpage before…no comment.
Subjective
The matter of size – I was expecting an impression of a “bigger beast” according to the given parameters (255cm/68cm/303l). Now I feel like it has to be smaller than the big Magnum (254cm, 67cm/303l).
On the flatwater – stable, simply no piece of wood – flat bottom, easy to maneuver and steer.
Experiencing the feeling of speed, repeatingly crossing the river above the Troja head dam… there is something about this boat ( or is it just me paddling fast today?).
Troja wave- I am trying the surfing abilities. The bow is little low and tends to pearl faster than in my Magnum. Eddies- easy and predictable. According to the shape, the behavior of Raptor feels fluent and without sudden changes and catching. Think if I like it. I think so.
V hole- very easy feature to boof, so doesn’t say much, but the getting back upstream was easy and smooth
I was also trying to improve the height of the bow by moving the seat back- pros and cons. Now I may have the bow higher above surface, before it was maybe better handling.
( I am curious by myself how am I gonna see it later on.)
Realistically Tried and proved- fits in Ford Mondeo and also in Focus.
Design- forget the Spunt (Zelezny’s previous design). It has not been forgotten here, that for example the grabloops do not kayak, but need to be nice and practical. It looks like, with a new brand, there is also a new standard of design from this manufacturer.
Interior (the details had not been finalized in this test version)- new seat (hybrid plastic/foam is ok, but I would prefer deeper seat with more raised front), new back band (similar to Bliss Stick), the ratchets are, where we are used to find them (Spunt) and new trick with hull reinforcement and foam pillar attachments. Everything with minimal weight and maximal effectivity in mind.
So how is it?
In my opinion, the Raptor is very good. Next to paddlers who will like it and some, who will simply adore it, it will also find some opposers indeed as any other boat out there. Raptor is definitely a choice to consider, if you are thinking of buying a new boat (or a refrigerator :). Review by KaRaS
