Big boats

[James]

Hello
I'm wondering if anyone can suggest any boats for the larger paddler, I'm 6'4 and about 17 stone. I have tried a few but all seem to sink! I have been paddleing plastic and now want a composite boat, any suggestions??

Thanks
James

[scroll]

ever tryed a revenge (from double dutch)

[Grunt]

Being a FB as well, try the "Ex High Vol Combat Dart Zone" contact pete@paddlesport.co.uk for details

[michielv]

Hi,

A team mate of mine is big & heavy as well and he paddles
a Felix Volta 397.

Paddled one myself for a while but I'm not big enough
(not byu a longshot ;-) but as Rene Veltien uses the
boat himself (2.02 meters and a lot of kilo's) this might
be your type of boat.

I haven't got his phone number right now (he left Felix
and started his own company, 2M2 polyester, and seems to
work with the folks of Happy 2B, who make helmets etc.)
but I'll check at home.

BTW, you can get these Felix Volta 397 models for a decent
price right now. As they are pretty round they can withstand a lot of damage. You can get them for around 300
guilders (slightly less than 100 GBP).

Otherwise, try the Felix Volta 395. I think there's an
add for one at Clyde's page.

HTH,

Michiel

[Jeff]

Hi

In Australia we can order boats of various sizes from Kayak's Plus. Duncan has built one large Vampire that I know of. He just builds up one of his standard boats. You can contact him vis the webb of just approach a local boat builder to do the same in you own country. The Australia Dollar is pretty **** right know so you might find it cheaper to but the boat in Oz.

Jeff

[Marcus Williamson]

I too have struggled to find a boat sufficiently voluminous for my 'sturdy' structure(14st,6'1)!

You might want to try a BUG from 'Radical Moves'. All of the big lads our club get on well with them. The boat has lots of leg room and plenty of volume in the front, suiting heavier paddlers well. They are however qute low volume at the back so you might need adjust your dip turn technique...!

Contact Alan Gibson - 01745 890590 (Radical Moves)

[Duncan Cochrane]

At Kayaks Plus we have the Vampire 2001. So far the biggest paddler I know of weighs over 110kg- not sure what that is in stone. That is the standard version- which we can build up if necessary.
Check out www.kayaksplus.com for details- click on the Vampire Bat logo.

[andylo]

There is a Galasport big boat, can't remember what it is called but you should find it on the Galasport website.
Also there is the Combat Zone 85 which you can find on www.canoepolozone.com (http://www.canoepolozone.com)
Another one is the Fat boy revenge nitro

andy

[Kiddle]

All the larger paddlers at my club, one being 17 stone, paddle DBX Skimmers, they seem fast and responsive, and a perfect fit.

[Rob Warren]

DB has not long lanched the new Flight II which is quite a big boat. If you're going to look at the skimmer have a look at that at the same time.

[clyde]

Given that the Dutch are (I understand) the largest Nationals of the Human Race, I would seriously suggest you look there.

The Sensor is also a large boat as is the Flight (big enough to get in even with a broken pelvis!)
Also as michielv says the Felix 397, I thought there was also a 395. IF you saw the guy who made them, then you would be rest assured it was plenty big enough for you, although Rene did look like he was sitting on a lolly stick !

Cyde

[Mark Gillett]

I am a mere 6ft 5" and have used two Combats from Paddlesport which have been fine, and comfortable. My recommendation if you order one, is to ask for the front to be built up, as my second boat's trim in the water was too low at the front. I had the seat moved back a few centimetres to imrpove the trim, but having it further back makes rolling more uncomfortable.

[AndrewL]

Revenge nitro fat boy

[OBSrJr]

http://www.paddleobeco.ca/poloboats.php (http://www.paddleobeco.ca/poloboats.php)

OBECO is a small company from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada that makes a variety of boats (the link above will connect to their page on polo boats).

The Condor has been a well received option for people requiring bigger boats.

Catherine