Introduction By John Jacoby

5.3
multisport
Introduction by John Jacoby
This category was spawned almost solely as the result of one
race; the Coast to Coast in New Zealand, where no specifications
exist and the course involves a long 67km paddle down a cold
fast flowing river with good grade 2 rapids. The craft in this
category are basically anything that doesn’t fit into any of the
other categories!
The multisport boats tend to be very multi-purpose and can
generally handle conditions such as rough lakes, up to grade
3 rapids(so long as not too much maneuverability is required),
calm oceans and also flat rivers.
20 years ago this category of boat did not exist. It evolved as
a result of myself paddling a K1 down the river in the Coast to
Coast race and the Kiwis being peed off that they did not have
boat that was comparable in speed! New Zealander’s ingenuity
prevailed and they came up with some well designed craft such
as the Evolution Edge which continues to be competitive even
today. The Time Bandit has similar lines and is an extremely
competitive boat and very stable for its speed.
Again, plastic boats have entered this arena with some quite
reasonable designs but again weight is the thing that holds
these craft back. There is now an excellent range of craft in this
category for all levels/abilities but my feeling is to select a craft
slightly above your current ability level and get out there and
train in it and get used to it. A few swims never hurt anyone!
Because these craft are designed to handle whitewater they
are generally quite stable on flat water. Even a relative beginner
prepared to put some time in will find themselves confidently
paddling a Time Bandit on flat water in a very short space of
time.
Multisport boats tested include:
- Time Bandit
- Ruahine Firebolt
- The Flash
- Cobra Viper
- Finn Multisport
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5.30 time bandit
Time
hh:mm:ss
Distance paddled
in 1 hour (km)
K1 Nelo (benchmark)
1:00:00
12.63
Time Bandit (fastest in
class)
1:02:42
12.09
Name Time bandit
SPEED
Time bandit
TypeName
Multisport
Length (metres) Type
6.16 Multisport
Length
(metres)
Beam
(cm)
42.5 6.16
Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for
the fastest K1 kayak tested.
For further
details on speed, refer to section 7.
Summary
of
Beam (cm) 42.5
Weight as tested 13.1kg
Question
Subjective
Summary of
Comments
Subjective
Back support
strap, high volume
Comments
deck, cut-away deck for close paddle
Back support strap, high volume
placement, simplicity of foot peg
deck, cut-away deck for close paddle
system, water shedding capabilities,
placement, simplicity of foot peg
Construction method/material
Fibreglass
carbon/kevlar
light, good rudder
boat was designed
over or
75kg
system, water shedding capabilities,
difficult
to adjust,
Construction method/material Fibreglass or carbon/kevlarDo you have any suggestions for Foot board
light, is
good
rudder
improving anything?
lengthen cockpit, lower cockpit near
State/Country of manufacture Grafton, NSW
Do you have any suggestions for Foot board is difficult to adjust,
thigh to enable bracing, improve seat,
improving anything?
lengthen cockpit, lower cockpit near
State/Country of manufacture Grafton, NSW
wider cockpit for bigger bums
thigh to enable bracing, improve seat,
RRP From $1690
wider cockpit for bigger bums
RRP From $1690
What did you most like about
Runs well, stable, fast, seat, light and
Contact Steve Muir
this boat?
long, maneuverability, responsive, tight
What did you most like about
Runs well, stable, fast, seat, light and
fit but comfy/ supportive, a lot more
Contact Steve Muir
this boat?
long, maneuverability, responsive, tight
stable than it looks, great steering
fit but comfy/ supportive, a lot more
Email info@graftonpaddlesports.
What did you least like about
Wind affects
it badly,
high great
deck in
front
stable than
it looks,
steering
com
Email info@graftonpaddlesports. this boat?
of cockpit, whitewater seat position,
What did you least like about
Wind affects it badly, high deck in front
Website www.com
graftonpaddlesports.
hard to adjust footplate, entry hard
this boat?
of cockpit, whitewater seat position,
com
Website www. graftonpaddlesports.Anything that a beginner should Cockpithard
sizeto
could
make
it hard entry
to gethard
adjust
footplate,
Ideal Weight N/A com
be aware of in considering this
out of, quite tippy, OK for competitive
Anything that a beginner should Cockpit size could make it hard to get
boat?
beginners and above, all those looking
N/A N/A
Features & Options
Ideal Weight
be aware of in considering this
out of, quite tippy, OK for competitive
at multisport races
boat?
beginners and above, all those looking
(options denoted
by
O)
N/A
Features & Options
What type of paddler do you
AR/down
river/flat water,
at multisport
races suitable for
(options denoted by O)
think this craft would be most
long distance, intermediate to expert
What type of paddler do you
AR/down river/flat water, suitable for
suitable for?
racing and training
think this craft would be most
long distance, intermediate to expert
If you had
a choice
9 Yes, 1
Maybe,
2 training
No
suitable
for? of 6 boats
racing
and
you’d like to own would this
If you had a choice of 6 boats
9 Yes, 1 Maybe, 2 No
boat be in your top 6?
you’d like to own would this
boat be in your top 6?
Question
Weight as tested 13.1kg
Are there any design
Manufacturer/distributor notes Long sleek multi-sport boat
or features you
including
purpose for which notes
capable
of carrying
people boatelements
Are there any design
Manufacturer/distributor
Long
sleek multi-sport
particularly liked?
boat was
designed
over 75kg
elements or features you
including
purpose
for which
capable of carrying people
particularly liked?
Rate the looks
7.5
(ignoring colour) on a scale of
Rate the looks
1 to 10, 10 being drop dead
(ignoring colour) on a scale of
gorgeous and 1 fugly.
1 to 10, 10 being drop dead
gorgeous and 1 fugly.
7.5
Multisport boats tested
Time
Bandit
Ruahine
Firebolt
The Flash
Cobra
Viper
Finn
Multisport
Summary of scores
on a 5 point scale
1. Primary stability
3
3
4
3
4
2. Secondary stability
4
3
3
3
4
3
5
2
4
4
3
4
5
3
4
3
4
3
5
1
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
5
4
4
3
3
4
3
3
3
10. How much did you have to adjust your natural
paddling technique in this boat?
5
4
5
3
4
11. How wet did you get?
5
5
4
5
5
3. How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)?
4. How comfortable is the seat?
5. How supportive is the seat position?
6. How did the boat affect your body position?
7. Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective?
8. Is the steering effective?
9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input?
(in order of fastest
to slowest)
* Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.
Time Bandit
Photography: Andrew Connolly
multisport
Hydrostatic Measurements
Time Bandit
Length (LOA)
Length(WL)
Beam (max)
Beam (WL)
Length/beam ratio
Water plane coefficient (Cw)
Water plane area (m2)
Draft 84kg (mean)
Weight (Kg)
Material (kevlar/plastic)
Cockpit size LxWxH (mm) Multisport
6164mm
5870mm
425mm 387mm 15.17 0.68
1.55m2 105mm 13.1kg Kevlar 678x370x344 Refer to section 8 for definition of these measurements and a general explanation of how Hydrostatic Measurements were taken and what it means.
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5.31 ruahine firebolt
Time
hh:mm:ss
Distance paddled
in 1 hour (km)
K1 Nelo (benchmark)
1:00:00
12.63
Time Bandit (fastest in
class)
1:02:42
12.09
Ruahine Firebolt
1:03:47
11.88
Name Ruahine Firebolt
SPEED
Type Multisport
Length (metres) 5.90
Beam (cm) 45.0
Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for
the fastest K1 kayak tested. For further details on speed, refer to section 7.
Weight as tested 14.1kg
Manufacturer/distributor notes Great new design
including purpose for which boat using features from
was designed the hugely successful
Opus, now with a finer
bow and lower nose,
Ruahines boats speak for
themselves in NZ with
top performances across
the country, hugely
successful in the Coast to
Coast.
Construction method/material Kevlar, Carbon reinforced
State/Country of manufacture NZ
Question
Summary of
Subjective
Comments
Are there any design
elements or features you
particularly liked?
Pump, narrow deck, high cockpit, length,
plastic foot peg system anchored between
boat sides, stable footrest
Do you have any suggestions
for improving anything?
Take out flat sections of the hull, pedal straps
attached to side of boat so that they don’t
interfere with feet, carry handles, seat options,
wider seat for bigger bums, lower front deck
(catches wind), uncomfortable seat
What did you most like about
this boat?
Good knee brace, high deck, narrow width
for paddling technique, responsive, speed,
stability, tight seat good for rivers, light, good
rudder system
What did you least like about
this boat?
Narrow in hips, felt tippy, due to such a
squeeze fit I felt like I’d get stuck inside
if I capsize, push paddle steering, seat
uncomfortable, high deck
Anything that a beginner
should be aware of in
considering this boat?
Tippy and fragile, good for whitewater, more
difficult to get into, not for big bums
What type of paddler do
you think this craft would be
most suitable for?
Intermediate to advanced, coastal/long
distance white water, AR/ Multisport Murray
Marathon, NZ rivers
If you had a choice of 6 boats
you’d like to own would this
boat be in your top 6?
3 Yes, 0 Maybe, 7 No
Rate the looks
(ignoring colour) on a scale
of 1 to 10, 10 being drop
dead gorgeous and 1 fugly.
6.7
RRP $4190
Contact Steve Cooper
E-mail qkayaks@optusnet.com.
au
Website www.ruahinekayaks.com
Features & options Fitted std with pump,
(options denoted by O) trailing rudder, low bow,
different seating options
available
Multisport boats tested
Time
Bandit
Ruahine
Firebolt
The Flash
Cobra
Viper
Finn
Multisport
Summary of scores
on a 5 point scale
1. Primary stability
3
3
4
3
4
2. Secondary stability
4
3
3
3
4
3
5
2
4
4
3
4
5
3
4
3
4
3
5
1
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
5
4
4
3
3
4
3
3
3
10. How much did you have to adjust your natural
paddling technique in this boat?
5
4
5
3
4
11. How wet did you get?
5
5
4
5
5
3. How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)?
4. How comfortable is the seat?
5. How supportive is the seat position?
6. How did the boat affect your body position?
7. Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective?
8. Is the steering effective?
9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input?
(in order of fastest
to slowest)
* Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.
multisport
Photography: Andrew Connolly
Ruahine Firebolt
Hydrostatic Measurements
Ruahine Firebolt Multisport
Length (LOA) 5900mm
Length(WL) 5833mm
Beam (max) 450mm Beam (WL) 410mm Length/beam ratio 14.40 Water plane coefficient (Cw) 0.65
Water plane area (m2) 1.57m2 Draft 84kg (mean) 90mm Weight (Kg) 14.1kg Material (kevlar/plastic) Kevlar Cockpit size LxWxH (mm) 679x366x330 Refer to section 8 for definition of these measurements and a general explanation of how Hydrostatic Measurements were taken and what it means.
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5.32 the flash
Time
hh:mm:ss
Distance paddled
in 1 hour (km)
K1 Nelo (benchmark)
1:00:00
12.63
Time Bandit (fastest in class)
1:02:42
12.09
Name The Flash
SPEED
Type Multisport
Length (metres) 5.49Name The Flash
Summary of
The Flash
1:04:32
11.75
Beam (cm) 54.2 Type Multisport
Question
Subjective
Comments
Length (metres) 5.49
Summary of
Are
there
any
design
Foot plate,Subjective
pedals, high deck at
Weight as tested Beam
17.4kg
(cm) 54.2
Question
elements or features you
cockpit, double
fixing points for seat,
Comments
particularly liked?
comfortable and supportive seat,
Manufacturer/
class. Designed by
Are there any design accessible Foot
plate,
pedals,
high
deck at
WeightMedium
as testedRec17.4kg
storage area
behind
seat,
elements or features you
cockpit,big
double
distributor notes Don Andrews as a Class racing boat
light, hull shape,
bow fixing points for seat,
particularly liked?
comfortable and supportive seat,
including purpose
to compete Medium
in marathons
like the
Manufacturer/
Rec class.
Designed by
Do you have any suggestions
Widen seat,
side support
for area
seat, behind seat,
accessible
storage
for which boat distributor
was Hawkesbury
Classic
&
Murray
Marathon
notes Don Andrews as a Class racing boatfor improving anything?
easier to adjust
secure big
footbow
plate,
light, and
hull shape,
designed
similar events.
All boats
are identical
inthe
including&purpose
to compete
in marathons
like
seat edge cuts into bottom, lighter,
Do you have any suggestions
Widen seat, side support for seat,
so results are
purely
paddlerMarathon
cut-away at front for paddle entry,
for whichconstruction
boat was Hawkesbury
Classic
& Murray
for improving anything?
easier to adjust and secure foot plate,
dependent.
on flatAllwater
offer trailing rudder option
designed &Excellent
similar events.
boatsorare identical in
seat edge cuts into bottom, lighter,
on open water.
Bulkheads,
raisedare
deck
construction
so results
purely paddler
cut-away at front for paddle entry,
& hull design
gives speed
& stability
dependent.
Excellent
on flat water What
or
offersurprisingly
trailing rudder
option
did you most like about
Pedal system,
stable,
through rough
water.
Has class
records
this boat?
glide, accessible storage area behind
on open
water.
Bulkheads,
raised deck
turn ability,
quality,surprisingly
foot plate, stable,
in major events
& hull design gives speed & stability
What did you most likeseat,
about
Pedal system,
responsiveness,
speed
for boat
length,
through
rough
water.
Has
class
records
this
boat?
glide,
accessible
storage
area behind
Construction method/ Fibreglass
light, tracksseat,
well,
good
heelquality,
support
turn
ability,
foot plate,
in major events
material
responsiveness,
speed
fortoboat length,
What
did
you
least
like
about
Seat
too
narrow,
restricted
access
Construction method/ Fibreglass
tracks well, goodpedals
heel support
this boat?
foot plate, light,
seat uncomfortable,
material
State/Country of NSW,
Australia
no knee/
brace, rudder
What did you least like stiff,
about
Seatthigh
too narrow,
restricted access to
manufacture
system
this boat?
foot plate, seat uncomfortable, pedals
State/Country of NSW, Australia
stiff,construction,
no knee/ thigh
Anything that a beginner
Light weight
seatbrace, rudder
manufacture
system
should be aware of in
alteration may
be required, not a bad
RRP $2250
construction,
seat
consideringAnything
this boat?that a beginner
multisport Light
racer weight
and surf
for advanced
should be aware of in beginner to
alteration
may be required,
expert, somewhat
tippy not a bad
considering this boat?
multisport racer and surf for advanced
What type of paddler do you
Intermediate, good in whitewater,
beginner to expert, somewhat tippy
think this craft would be most
endurance events, designed for
youpaddles
Intermediate,
goodstorage,
in whitewater,
suitable for?What type of paddler do
epic
with bulkhead
think this craft would be
most flat/
endurance
handles
rough events, designed for
suitable for?
epic paddles with bulkhead storage,
If you had a choice of 6 boats
4 Yes, 2 Maybe,
8 No
handles
flat/ rough
you’d like to own would this
If youtop
had
4 Yes, 2 Maybe, 8 No
boat be in your
6?a choice of 6 boats
you’d like to own would this
boat be in your top 6?
RRP $2250
Contact Roger Aspinall
Contact Roger Aspinall
Email info@blue-earth.biz
Email info@blue-earth.biz
Website www.blue-earth.biz
Ideal Weight N/A
Website www.blue-earth.biz
Features & OptionsIdeal
Bulkheads,
(O), adjustable seat
Weight Hatches
N/A
(options denoted by O) and foot plate, high standard of finish,
Features & Options Bulkheads, Hatches (O), adjustable seat
Rate the looks
6.7
locally manufactured, custom colour
(options denoted by O) and foot plate, high standard of finish,
(ignoring colour) on a scale of
options (O),locally
trailing
rudder
(O),
Choice
of
Rate
the
looks
manufactured, custom colour1 to 10, 10 being drop dead
seats (O), weight
from
(O)rudder (O), Choice of
(ignoring colour) on a scale of
options
(O),15kg
trailing
seats (O), weight from 15kg (O)
6.7
gorgeous and 1 fugly.
1 to 10, 10 being drop dead
gorgeous and 1 fugly.
Multisport boats tested
Time
Bandit
Ruahine
Firebolt
The Flash
Cobra
Viper
Finn
Multisport
Summary of scores
on a 5 point scale
1. Primary stability
3
3
4
3
4
2. Secondary stability
4
3
3
3
4
3
5
2
4
4
3
4
5
3
4
3
4
3
5
1
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
5
4
4
3
3
4
3
3
3
10. How much did you have to adjust your natural
paddling technique in this boat?
5
4
5
3
4
11. How wet did you get?
5
5
4
5
5
3. How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)?
4. How comfortable is the seat?
5. How supportive is the seat position?
6. How did the boat affect your body position?
7. Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective?
8. Is the steering effective?
9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input?
(in order of fastest
to slowest)
* Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.
The Flash
Photography: Andrew Connolly
multisport
Hydrostatic Measurements
The Flash
Length (LOA)
Length(WL)
Beam (max)
Beam (WL)
Length/beam ratio
Water plane coefficient (Cw)
Water plane area (m2)
Draft 84kg (mean)
Weight (Kg)
Material (kevlar/plastic)
Cockpit size LxWxH (mm) Multisport
5490mm
5380mm
542mm 436mm 11.3
0.59
1.54m2 125mm 17.4kg Glass 800x384x340 Refer to section 8 for definition of these measurements and a general explanation of how Hydrostatic Measurements were taken and what it means.
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5.33 cobra viper
Name Cobra Viper
Type Multisport
SPEED
Length (metres) 5.18
Name Cobra Viper
Beam (cm) 46.0
Type Multisport
Question
Time
hh:mm:ss
Distance paddled
in 1 hour (km)
K1 Nelo (benchmark)
1:00:00
12.63
Time Bandit (fastest in class)
1:02:42
12.09
Cobra Viper
Length (metres) 5.18
Weight as tested 24.3kg
Beam (cm) 46.0
Summary of
Subjective 1:06:23
Comments
11.42
Are there any design
Easy to adjust
pedals,
Summary
of robust, good
Question
Subjective
elements or
features you
rudder system
Comments
particularly liked?
Manufacturer/distributor notes The Viper is designed as
as tested 24.3kg
Are
there
any
design
to in
adjust
pedals,
robust,
good
including purpose for whichWeight
boat an
entry level alternative to
Do you have any
Poor seatEasy
- digs
at rear
centre,
pedal
elements
or features you
rudderget
system
suggestions
for improving
system, cables
in the way, leg
was designed multisport/adventure training
position awkward, lighter
Manufacturer/distributor
Viper is kayaks
designed as anything?particularly liked?
andnotes
racingThe
composite
including purpose for which
boat
an
entry
level
alternative
to
Do
you
have
any
Poor seatboat
- digswith
in atdurability
rear centre, pedal
it has good stability and speed
What did you most like
Glide, wildwater
for improving
system,
cablesand
get bulky
in the boat
way, leg
was designed
multisport/adventure
training
about this suggestions
boat?
and speed,
for heavy
with price advantage
and
anything?
position awkward, lighter
and racing composite kayaks
quite responsive,
boat life, speed,
durability of plastic
it has good stability and speed
What did you most likesecondary
Glide,
wildwater
with
stability,
snug boat
fit, the
factdurability
Construction method/material Cotene linear
about this boat?
for heavy
withpolyethylene
price advantage and
it’s plasticand
andspeed,
will bounce
offand
riverbulky boat
quite
responsive, boat life, speed,
rocks, easy
to manoeuvre
durability of plastic
secondary stability, snug fit, the fact
State/Country
of manufacture
NZ
What did you least like
Heavy, vulnerable
to wind,
Construction
method/material
Cotene linear polyethylene
it’s plastic and
will bounce off river
about this boat?
uncomfortable
seat,topedals,
footbar/
rocks, easy
manoeuvre
steering , foam in between legs felt
RRP
$1500
State/Country of
manufacture
NZ
What did you least likeintimidating
Heavy, vulnerable to wind,
about this boat?
uncomfortable seat, pedals, footbar/
Anything that a beginner
For inland
wildwater
not
steering
, foam
in ocean
between legs felt
$1500
Contact GrantRRP
Hughes
should be aware of in
touring, initially
tippy, secondary
intimidating
considering this boat?
stability is good, bomb proof,
Anything that a beginner
For inland wildwater not ocean
get in, may
betippy,
too tippy
Contact Grant Hughes
Email info@cobrakayaks.com.au
should be aware of in harder totouring,
initially
secondary
butis great
considering this boat?for beginners
stability
good,secondary
bomb proof,
stability harder to get in, may be too tippy
Email info@cobrakayaks.com.au
Website www.cobrakayaks.com.au
for beginners
buthopper
great secondary
What type of paddler do
Intermediate,
river/ rock
with
stability
Ideal Weight N/A
you think this craft would be speed, down
river racer, suited to a
Website www.cobrakayaks.com.aumost suitable for?
down river
racer with river/
an aversion
to with
What type of paddler do
Intermediate,
rock hopper
Features & Options Adjustable Footrests
repairing
damaged
kayaks
Ideal Weight N/A
you think this craft would
be speed,
down
river racer, suited to a
(options denoted by O) Springback rudder
suitable
down river
racer with an aversion to
If you hadmost
a choice
of 6for?
1 Yes, 2 Maybe,
10 No
Features &Fibreglass
Options Seat
Adjustable Footrests
repairing damaged kayaks
boats you’d like to own
(options denoted
by O)carry
Springback
Portage
handlesrudder
front
you had
choice of 6
would thisIfboat
be ina your
Fibreglass
Seat
and back
boats you’d like to own
top 6?
Portage
carry
handles
front
Full Foam seat (O)
would this boat be in your
back plate &
Adjustableand
footrest
top 6?
Rate
the
looks
4.5
Full Foam seat (O)
footstraps
(ignoring
colour)
on a scale
Adjustable footrest plate &
the looks
of 1 to 10,Rate
10 being
drop
footstraps
(ignoring colour) on a scale
1 Yes, 2 Maybe, 10 No
4.5
dead gorgeous and 1 fugly.
of 1 to 10, 10 being drop
dead gorgeous and 1 fugly.
Multisport boats tested
Time
Bandit
Ruahine
Firebolt
The Flash
Cobra
Viper
Finn
Multisport
Summary of scores
on a 5 point scale
1. Primary stability
3
3
4
3
4
2. Secondary stability
4
3
3
3
4
3
5
2
4
4
3
4
5
3
4
3
4
3
5
1
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
5
4
4
3
3
4
3
3
3
10. How much did you have to adjust your natural
paddling technique in this boat?
5
4
5
3
4
11. How wet did you get?
5
5
4
5
5
3. How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)?
4. How comfortable is the seat?
5. How supportive is the seat position?
6. How did the boat affect your body position?
7. Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective?
8. Is the steering effective?
9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input?
(in order of fastest
to slowest)
* Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.
multisport
Photography: Andrew Connolly
Cobra Viper
Hydrostatic Measurements
Cobra Viper K1/Multisport Length (LOA) 5184mm
Length(WL) 5154mm
Beam (max) 460mm Beam (WL) 440mm Length/beam ratio 12.01 Water plane coefficient (Cw) 0.64
Water plane area (m2) 1.43m2 Draft 84kg (mean) 118mm Weight (Kg) 24.3kg Material (kevlar/plastic) Plastic Cockpit size LxWxH (mm) 752x405x350 Refer to section 8 for definition of these measurements and a general explanation of how Hydrostatic Measurements were taken and what it means.
55
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5.34 finn multisport
Time
hh:mm:ss
Distance paddled
in 1 hour (km)
K1 Nelo (benchmark)
1:00:00
12.63
Time Bandit (fastest in class)
1:02:42
12.09
Finn Multisport
1:11:22
10.62
Name Finn Multisport
Type Multisport
Beam (cm) 54.0
SPEED
Length (metres) 5.20 Name Finn Multisport
Type Multisport
Length (metres) 5.20
Weight as tested 24.4kg
Beam (cm) 54.0
Summary of
Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for
Question the fastest K1 kayak tested.Subjective
For further details on speed, refer to section 7.
Comments
Summary of
Are there anyQuestion
design
Open cockpit,
seat, drink bottle
Manufacturer/distributor notes
TheasMultisport
is just that:
Subjective
Weight
tested 24.4kg
elements or features you
holder, wave
deflector, hatch
Comments
including purpose for which boat A true Multisport Kayak.
particularly liked?
cover, back strap, handles
was designed Suitable for all conditions
Are there any design
Open cockpit, seat, drink bottle
Manufacturer/distributor notes The Multisport is just that:
Do
you
have
any
suggestions
Flatten seat holder,
- ridge in
centre
or features you
wave
deflector, hatch
flatwater
including purpose for from
which
boat Aand
trueestuary,
Multisport Kayak.for improvingelements
anything? liked?
too high, move
knee
brace
particularly
cover,
back
strap, handles
to
white
water
river
running
was designed Suitable for all conditions
back, better steering/pedal
(Avon Descent
etc…),
and and estuary,
Do you have any suggestions
Flatten seat - ridge in centre
from
flatwater
system, vibration through
for
improving
anything?
too high, move knee brace
ocean touring.
toUser
whitefriendly,
water river running
pedal on each stroke, lighter
back, better steering/pedal
fast and versatile.
(Avon Descent etc…), and
What did you most like about
Multi use can
do anything,
system,
vibration through
ocean
touring.
User
friendly,
Construction method/material Rotomoulded High Density
pedal
each stroke, lighter
this boat?
boat life, tough
foronwhite
Polyethylene fast and versatile.
for money,
What did you most likewater,
aboutvalueMulti
use canstable
do anything,
method/material
this boat?
State/Country Construction
of manufacture
WA, AustraliaRotomoulded High Density
Polyethylene
What did you least like about
boat life, tough for white
value for
money, stable
Seat system,water,
knee brace/
hits
this boat?
your hands when paddling,
State/Country
of
manufacture
WA,
Australia
RRP $1200
to lean knee
left, brace/ hits
What did you least likeweight,
about seemed
Seat system,
rudder vibrates,
entry,paddling,
this boat?
your difficult
hands when
RRP $1200
better steering
system
weight,
seemed to lean left,
Contact Andy Sorensen
rudder
vibrates,deck
difficult entry,
Anything that a beginner
Good boat for
beginners,
better steering system
Contact Andy Sorensen
should be aware of in
style makes it a little hard to
Email info@finnkayaks.com.au
Anything
Good boat for beginners, deck
considering this
boat? that a beginner
paddle
be aware of in
style makes it a little hard to
Email info@finnkayaks.com.auWhat type of should
paddler do you
Beginner, multisport, ocean/
considering this boat?
paddle
Website www.finnkayaks.com.au
think this craft would be most
flat water/ down river, good
What
type
of
paddler
do
you
Beginner,
multisport,
suitable
for?
all
round
boat,
someone
who ocean/
Ideal Weight N/AWebsite www.finnkayaks.com.au
think this craft would be
mostan unbreakable
flat water/ down
wants
boat river, good
Features & Options Ideal
BuiltWeight
in wave N/A
deflector
suitable for?
all round boat, someone who
If you had a choice of 6 boats
5.1
wants an unbreakable boat
(options denoted by O) Kick up or under keel rudder
Features & Options Built in wave deflector you’d like to own would this
Paddle
cutouts
in
fore
deck
If
you
had
a
choice
of
6
boats
5.1
(options denoted by O) Kick up or under keel rudder
boat be in your top 6?
you’d like to own would this
Bulkhead forePaddle
and Aft
(O) in fore deck
cutouts
boat be in your top 6?
Adjustable Footrests
Bulkhead fore and Aft (O)
Low back deck
(Easy Rolling
&
Adjustable
Footrests
Rate the looks
2 Yes, 0 Maybe, 10 No
Decreased Windage)
Low back deck (Easy Rolling
& colour)
(ignoring
scale of
Rate on
thealooks
2 Yes, 0 Maybe, 10 No
drop colour)
dead on a scale of
Decreased Windage) 1 to 10, 10 being
(ignoring
gorgeous and1 1tofugly.
10, 10 being drop dead
gorgeous and 1 fugly.
Multisport boats tested
Time
Bandit
Ruahine
Firebolt
The Flash
Cobra
Viper
Finn
Multisport
Summary of scores
on a 5 point scale
1. Primary stability
3
3
4
3
4
2. Secondary stability
4
3
3
3
4
3
5
2
4
4
3
4
5
3
4
3
4
3
5
1
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
5
4
4
3
3
4
3
3
3
10. How much did you have to adjust your natural
paddling technique in this boat?
5
4
5
3
4
11. How wet did you get?
5
5
4
5
5
3. How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)?
4. How comfortable is the seat?
5. How supportive is the seat position?
6. How did the boat affect your body position?
7. Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective?
8. Is the steering effective?
9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input?
(in order of fastest
to slowest)
* Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.
multisport
Photography: Andrew Connolly
Finn Multisport
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57
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