Boat choice is super difficult with all the choices out there today. I am hoping to share my thoughts on my favorite boat and hopefully help you make your decision with less sleepless nights.
I am 6 feet tall, 185lbs, size 11 feet, and a 32 inch inseam.
-me trying to impress my girlfriend, with no success-
For starters, THE CARTWHEEL IS NOT DEAD! Anyone that tells you, “no kayak cartwheels well anymore” is just trying to sell you a boat that sucks at it. The biscuit is very well balanced for both flat water and cartwheeling in holes. There is nothing better than kicking it old school and throwing split-wheels and cartwheels as clean as you can. That said, there is also no new move the Biscuit can not master.
Secondly, the edge profile is very unique to the Biscuit. It is incredibly loose and easy to turn yourself and maneuver in a hole. On a wave you have to initiate onto the edge a little more aggressively to get the bumper to grab and throw you airborne, but it is totally worth the effort! The extra stiffness the outer bumper adds is awesome and adds to the total smoothness of the ride, especially in larger features.
In total I would tell anyone looking for a new playboat to hop in the Biscuit. The Bad Ass Outfitting holds you in snug and the Cone of Comfort keeps your toenails right where they belong…on your toes. Especially if you are just getting into learning some tricks to impress the ladies, the Biscuit is the most forgiving model out there.
SIZING
I got my Biscuit early in the spring last year so I was able to get many great days in it. I paddle the Biscuit 55. I talked with Shane about which size would be best for me and we decided on the 55 without me ever sitting in it. Then this spring I was able to go to Eternity hole with both a 65 and 55 for a little comparative analysis. By switching between the two sizes I was able to really see the pros of each boat and I ended up deciding on the 55 again for this year.
The 55 for my weight was more balanced cartwheeling. When a boat is too big for you, (this goes for any playboat) you will begin to bob up and down as each end hits the water, this makes it much more difficult to control and I found myself flushing out more frequently. An overthruster definitely helps me experience more pop in my 55 but I don’t over-due it. Most of the time I forget to even grab an overthruster, when I do it’s just a float bag between my legs.
The 65 did have advantages when it came to moving around on the river. If you are doing a lot of downriver play and not worried about throwing it around effortlessly than going bigger might be for you. It was incredibly comfortable, (like watching football in a recliner) and ferried much easier.
Here are some pics of Fred Norquist and I in our Biscuit 55′s. And don’t forget, you can check out more Biscuit action this summer with DRIVEN. Teaser here
