The Villain is an awesome boat. Its hard not to get excited about it, as it fits so much better,and performs so much better then equivalent boats. IMHO. (!!!)
heres why I think so:
It rolls like a charm, has simple reliable outfitting, fits thick ass legs like mine comfortably, is easier to really get the footbraces snug to your feet, and it has the anti-pitoning feature, which adds some flex to the footbraces when imposed upon. i havent really tested that and hopefully wont. I know some people say the rope /cleat backband system blows out when stressed, and that would definitely be not ok esp. in the crux of whatever youre doing, BUT I havent had the cleats fail at all yet... although I dont huck huge waterfalls, or even paddle class V. all I ve done is some micro class IV in NM (the rio santa cruz), and the Ark since ive had it. and I just try to be careful to make sure the rope is tight in the cleats. so it has worked for my needs flawlessly. I will not in all likely hood ever be doing some 'Hotel Charley' shit. Much respect to everyone who does. I just want to feel safe on some class IV.
BTW, I dont work for Jackson, and I actually just lost money this summer by learning the hard way... purchasing a Karnali,(with the recommendations that "sure it ought to be a great boat for you") .... w/out demoing it...., and finding out AFTER driving back from CO to NM that I couldnt roll it worth a shit, and swam twice on the racecourse trying to get used to it... Of course all that is my fault,... it sucks when your local boating store/demos are 5 hours away... I shoulda been Patient and waited for paddlefest... cause I traded that Karnali in at a $300 loss, and honestly despite the financial reaming, it was still the best thing to end up with a boat that gives me confidence again.
So yeah, gotta find out for yourself, and everyone fits different, Like if i had less of 'treetrunk' legs a diesel might be cherry, but for me wavesport's fit poorly enough that it causes my legs to hurt like sciatica, and my feet to go to sleep in the first ten minutes on the water... maybe not the right fit for me. (had a EZG60 for 5 years wish i woulda fiigured it out sooner.)
I sat in every river runner at paddlefest, because i didnt know if i 'deserved' a full on creeker, as a 'just' class III/IV boater. it came down to this for me
if youve got skinny legs... take your pick...
W/ my thick ass legs and frame...nothing else fit right.
Remix,Mamba, Diesel, Hero, and burn were my other choices, FWIW.. :mrgreen: