Anyone Paddled the Vamp 2006

[mike1982]

well? looks good sounds like it is a nice boat any one got one or paddled one?

[Paul]

Looks to me like Duncan and Co. have given in that the nitro is the better boat? That back deck is cough ripoff cough

[cpbutler]

Hiya

Jason Dalziel will be the first person to paddle a production version of the VAmpire 06 S as his boat is heading down to him over the weekend.

Jason Papps paddled the prototype at Oceania and was the first person to order a Vampire 06, unfortunately due to a mould c*ck up his boat won't be in till the end of next week with other standard 06 Vamps.

Think we have 9 or 10 Vamp 06 kayaks on order with us so they are proving to be popular so far! They are definitely different looking with the scooped back deck, rounded edges, slimmer hips etc. I can't wait to be paddling one soon!

cheers

[vish]

Looks to me like Duncan and Co. have given in that the nitro is the better boat? That back deck is cough ripoff cough

cough you're dreaming cough

[Duncan Cochrane]

For the record- the scoop on the back deck of the 2006 is deeper than the revenge nitro and along with the edges probably is more similar to the Dynamic than the Revenge. The sccop makes the back deck far more rigid as well as lower volume for turning so it is a natural idea to replicate! The edges beside the cockpit are similar to the Flight, and the nose (gasp gasp) is based on the Flame- on James' suggestion actually as he found the 2001 nose too big. That is the nature of boat design- you try to pick the best out of all designs and put them into one boat. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Oh and if you don't like the Vampire 2006 or 2006S, Kayaks Plus will soon be building the dynamic under licence for Australia, NZ and ASia. Stay tuned to Polo Mania for details.
Duncan

[James]

Well last night I paddled the 2006S for the first time for 1&1/2 hrs. First thing I must say is that this is a very limited trial and the people to pay attention too are those that paddle the new boats for weeks.

I am 75kg and 6ft.

Good points:

feels like it accelerates fast
static turns are superior to the older version, this includes turns at very slow speeds. Really good for turn and go or adjusting in the Zone on defence.
nose control at stationary to mid speeds is superior to the older 2001S. Drops well to get under players: Defence
Nose doesn't bury in heavy chop, despite being lower volume, must be because of the wide nose profile.
Neutral points:

top end speed..........not too convinced there is a difference, might be because I am close to it's top weight range
holds line well
Bad Points:

doesn't turn any better than older version at mid to high speeds. Can't understand why not??
in drills when doing turns over 180deg still has that strange stall that the 2001S has???
Nose doesn't drop at high speed even though I am close to the higher weight limits. No way I would be able to drive at a defense at pace and drop under a defender.
Stability: this is really the only major unknown as i didn't get to play on the inside on offence under any pressure........not quite as stable as the older version, but compared to what I paddle normally, seems fine so far.

I really look forward to padling the 2006 normal version now. Hopefully i will put some weight on too????

I just want to reiterate that is my personal opinion only, after a limited trial. Good on Duncan for coming out with a new design.......boat design is always going to be about trade-offs. It really come down to what you as an individual value in a boat.