Reviewing a boat is always
a tricky thing because different boats fit different styles and thats
the reason so many hull shapes and forms exist. The Flying Squirrel
was shaped after the Remix and the Stomper and trys to combine the
positive aspects of these two boats. I really liked the Stomper 90 the
last years so this will be the main boat I can compare the FS too.
I paddled the Flying
Squirrel on different river types, mainly on Soca cateract at a
medium to high level (technical whitewater, class 5, 50 to70 cumecs),
and on the island of Cosica (low volume, bedrock & boldergardens,
class 3 to 5).
I`m 189cm tall (6.3in) and weigh about 86kg (190lbs). Shoe size is 46 (12US). For me this is always the first data for my boatchoice, especially regarding sizeing. As boats are getting bigger in every aspect nearly every year the FS 95 joins this trend, presenting itself very roomy and comfortable for a guy my size (still need to cut the middle foam for my heels). Its also slightly heavier than the Stomper 90, which in my opinion marks a problem for all kayak companies, especially if you plan on carrying into rivers or running hard whitewater with lots of portaging. So with a little water, safety equipment and a spare paddle these boats all come in the 25 to 30kg range which is damn heavy, even for a guy my size.
Access to the back is
okay, easy to fit a watershed and safety gear. For overnighters you
maybe have to move the seat (if it’s not all the way up front
already).
Bad Ass outfitting has
been a constant for Liquidlogic and continues to fit the FS. The side
of the seat padding has been thightend up a little and the seat mount
has been changed so that moving seats are supposed to be a problem of
the past. Adjusting everything is very easy and fast. Make sure to
tighten all screws before you take the boat for a ride.
First thing that is
important, the seat should be moved all the way to the front to make
the FS as agile as possible. I tried various seat positions (I used
to run the seat in the Stomper more backwards) but even though I’m
pretty tall (which moves the mass center to the front) I found that
the FS works best with the seat up front.
This shape was designed to
be faster as the Stomper and it definitely is. Charging straight
through holes works great and if you are on line there is not much
that will stop you from going where you want to.
Moving sideways and
turning takes a little more effort than in the Stomper. If you move
your upper body to the front it turns pretty easy but the lower edges
on the stern prevent easy steering over the back. The volume is felt
in every aspect and the boat runs on a high waterline in every
situation.
Boofing is very easy,
maybe not as playful as the Stomper, but who needs to flatland every
little drop? The FS wants to be paddled on line and exact and if you
do it will not disappoint you with doing anything uncalled for.
So, in my opinion, the
Flying Squirrel does what it is supposed to do. It is a creekboat
that is fast, stable, easy to boof, big and charging through pretty
much everything. If your more on low volume technical creeking and
smaller than me I would recommend trying the smaller version. Don’t
forget to try different seating positions.
greetz, Reiner
