Anyone have actual experience with this IK? What did you think of its stability in big Class III/IV compared to other IKs? Thanks.
johnovice
Outfitter
I would appreciate if someone wants to share some real world experience, especially for a bigger guy. Not too impressed with the Aire Lynx I have been using the last 2 seasons. Actually thought the Tomcat was more stable compared to the lynx.
I would appreciate if someone wants to share some real world experience, especially for a bigger guy. Not too impressed with the Aire Lynx I have been using the last 2 seasons. Actually thought the Tomcat was more stable compared to the lynx.
Outfitter
Hey Johnnovice,
I noticed this thread died out on you pretty quick so I thought I would chime in with a little insight.
The Outfitter is actually a pretty strong selling boat, but more in the Outfitters market then the private market. We originally designed the Outfitter by the request of Sawtooth Adventure Company (I'm pretty sure they also footed some proto-typing costs...but don't quote me on that). They liked our Lynx, but wanted something more stable, a boat to give their customers a little added confidence, and and design to help keep customers in the kayak and happy. We designed the kayak and showed it off at the trade show for Outfitters (AO) and got a lot of good feed back, hence the name "Outfitter". We liked the final design so much we added it to the standard line up of whitewater kayaks.
On a scale from maneuverability to stability our whitewater kayaks go about like this:
Force, Strike, Lynx, Outfitter, Tomcat (or Tomcat, Outfitter, pretty close to call)
The first year is was out we took the Outfitter I and II up to the Lochsa with us for some big water and it was a riot. I thought I had a good pic of the Outfitter I, but it looks like the best one I have is the Outfitter II going into Lochsa Falls:
![Image]()
I know you were looking for more real world, un-biased opinions, but I hope this background info helps.
Sheena Coles
AIRE marketing manager
Hey Johnnovice,
I noticed this thread died out on you pretty quick so I thought I would chime in with a little insight.
The Outfitter is actually a pretty strong selling boat, but more in the Outfitters market then the private market. We originally designed the Outfitter by the request of Sawtooth Adventure Company (I'm pretty sure they also footed some proto-typing costs...but don't quote me on that). They liked our Lynx, but wanted something more stable, a boat to give their customers a little added confidence, and and design to help keep customers in the kayak and happy. We designed the kayak and showed it off at the trade show for Outfitters (AO) and got a lot of good feed back, hence the name "Outfitter". We liked the final design so much we added it to the standard line up of whitewater kayaks.
On a scale from maneuverability to stability our whitewater kayaks go about like this:
Force, Strike, Lynx, Outfitter, Tomcat (or Tomcat, Outfitter, pretty close to call)
The first year is was out we took the Outfitter I and II up to the Lochsa with us for some big water and it was a riot. I thought I had a good pic of the Outfitter I, but it looks like the best one I have is the Outfitter II going into Lochsa Falls:
I know you were looking for more real world, un-biased opinions, but I hope this background info helps.
Sheena Coles
AIRE marketing manager
Sheena, thanks for checking in with some background info, I appreciate it.
Most outfitters I have seen are using Hyside IKs, and with the price of those, I can imagine they would like another top quality, very stable option at a better price point! -- not to mention other design differences between the boats. It would be interesting to hear here from outfitters who have tried your Outfitter and what their experience (and their customers') has been -- but I'm not suggesting you round any up! I would guess that outfitters buy more tandems than singles, but I could be wrong.
For full disclosure: I already own an Outfitter I, but have not had a chance to use it yet more than once in big water -- so I am curious about other's on-water experience.
Thanks again for taking the time to share some info.
Most outfitters I have seen are using Hyside IKs, and with the price of those, I can imagine they would like another top quality, very stable option at a better price point! -- not to mention other design differences between the boats. It would be interesting to hear here from outfitters who have tried your Outfitter and what their experience (and their customers') has been -- but I'm not suggesting you round any up! I would guess that outfitters buy more tandems than singles, but I could be wrong.
For full disclosure: I already own an Outfitter I, but have not had a chance to use it yet more than once in big water -- so I am curious about other's on-water experience.
Thanks again for taking the time to share some info.
I own a Lynx II and an Outfitter I. I have paddled each kayak for two summers and am fairly new to kayaking. I have paddled both on the Deschutes and the White Salmon. The Outfitter has bigger tubes and you sit lower in it which makes it super stable. I really like the Outfitter. Well built and durable.
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