[jtp72]

I'm new to paddling and was wanting to ask if I should go with the fluid bazooka or a Jackson karma?


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[bobbuilds]

given all the information you provided, I would say the Fluid bazooka would be a great fit.

It sounds like your between sizes, get the large.


summertime.

 

[glenn]

False dichotomy?

 

[jtp72]

I'm 5'8" and weigh 165 lbs. The only boat I've had is my wave sport ethos 10. I'm very new to this and my only real experience is a paddle school I attended last month.

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[bobbuilds]

I think the karma would be easyer to find in your area, and be a better chice for a first boat.

great resale if/when you want to try a different boat,

and there are a ton of other options as well, demo demo demo. I think you will find what you like.

I love Jackson Kayaks, greatest owners on the earth.

 

[mludwig]

I have a Fluid Bazooka for my creek boat and I LOVE it! I think it has a lot of forgiveness that lets me make the mistakes that are bound to happen. And if you do choose to get the Bazooka you might want to check the Fluid's website because their size ranges are really wide!😄😍👌❤🌊

 

[jtp72]

Thanks a lot for your help. I like the ethos but the thigh hooks aren't very aggressive and I'm having a hard time learning my roll in it so I'm hoping the bazooka has more aggressive ones.

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[sirjoshuaford]

The Blisstick Mystic probably has the most aggressive thigh brace system. They adjust side to side which is different from any other and have a written guage that goes from easy-dangerous depending on how much you want them to lock you in.
I just bought my Bazooka a month ago and love it. I've used it on tight technical creek moves and big water. It has great stability (both primary and secondary), it's fast, boofs like a champ, and almost catches eddies for you. The thigh braces work for my size (5'9, 150) without leaving much space between the brace and my thigh.
Don't be so quick to blame your inability to roll on your thigh braces. People have been rolling in boats long before the new brace system came out. Keep practicing and getting comfortable in a boat upside down in water (which just takes time). And demo boats. You've been paddling for a month and haven't gone down a river yet. You don't need to rush a big purchase.

 

[jtp72]

Thanks a lot for the info!
I have a hard time finding places to demo boats where I live because we don't have any places around here where they sell them so I kinda just have to go by what I read. I really like the things I've read about the fluid boats and the price is definitely a plus so that's about all I know about them at this point. I am planning on taking a trip to Chattanooga on my way to Gatlinburg this month though so I will be able to check out some wave sport, dagger and Jackson boats at rock creek outfitters then but no fluid boats around there that I know of.

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[sirjoshuaford]

Got ya. You can only buy fluids directly from them, which makes them cheaper, but the downside is you don't have the option to demo. I got mine cause they had a huge sale. Luckily it worked for me.


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[manelson]

The problem with Fluid is you're going to spend a lot of time working on outfitting. I got a Dope on clearance but have spent ~$75 on foam for outfitting and I still have to do some more work. Once I get done with outfitting it's going to be hard to make adjustments.

My Jackson, on the other had, is super easy to outfit, although the ropes need minor adjustment a lot.

 

[smauk2]

The Bazooka is a sweet boat! If you decide to get one order a medium, the large would be too big. If you're in the Fort Collins area I have a medium bazooka you could try sitting in.

Give me a pm if you have anymore questions. Here is a coupon code that will give you a slight discount, you can enter it when ordering the boat: SPENCERM13

 

[smauk2]

The problem with Fluid is you're going to spend a lot of time working on outfitting. I got a Dope on clearance but have spent ~$75 on foam for outfitting and I still have to do some more work. Once I get done with outfitting it's going to be hard to make adjustments.

My Jackson, on the other had, is super easy to outfit, although the ropes need minor adjustment a lot.

The 2014 models have new outfitting.

Fluid Kayaks MOD5 Outfitting System Review on Vimeo

 

[snwbdr94]

I was able to take a look at the new 2014 outfitting the other weekend and I'm excited to order a new bazooka. It really is a huge step up from the 13's. The 2013 models are great and I was able to outfit my dope with a sheet of 3" foam and 1" foam. Another 1" would be useful for under the seat.

 

[SimonMW]

To the OP, go and demo some boats. A lot of boats. Demo them multiple times. Nobody here can tell you what boat to buy. No offence to anybody here, but on a forum you cannot tell what kind of experience or skill people have when they recommend a boat, or when they say they disliked a boat.

A lot of top guys use a Mamba, but I'm not so keen on it. My weight is in the wrong place and none of them suit me well. The Stomper is a bit of a love/hate for some people, but even though I am 5'8 and 63kg I loved the Stomper 80. Others find it to be a tank or just plain don't like it. A Zet Raptor or Veloc will suit people who really drive the boat (as will the Stomper), but won't reward drifting. It depends how you paddle.

First you need to be comfortable in the boat. It needs to "feel" the right size, even if that takes some padding (some buy a boat too small). But then it needs to feel right on the water. Some like sportier feeling boats, others like boats that feel more progressive. Some like edges, others like the hull to be rounded more.

If you are new to kayaking, personally I would say to buy a cheap used boat that'll get you down most stuff, and then have a go in other peoples boats to find out what you like. Yep, buying a boat is kind of like finding a wife/long term girlfriend! Umm, not that I am suggesting having an affair you understand. Lets call it a loose analogy! Just that it is a waste of money to buy a new boat when you don't know what you like or haven't developed a style yet. A new boat loses 50% of its value the moment it leaves the showroom.