It's great that someone is making new forays into the open boat world, and especially that they're doing such a good job of it. Bell is still a small, tightly-run company, which has been great for being able to work with them without too much running around and burocracy. I've had only good workings with Bell (unlike the other person who bought a Mohawk and reviewed it here).
As for the boat, it's handled just like I'd hoped. I was suprised at how light it was, being used to older and bigger boats that had, I believe, thicker Royalex. It makes for a quick, bouyant feeling, and so far hasn't shown signs of wearing badly, which I was a bit concerned about since it seemed so light. I did put a good dent in the side when I tied it down really tightly on its side on a roof rack; the dent half came out but not all the way. Their Mike Yee outfitting is really comfortable, and again, light, with the nylon loops instead of metal D-rings. I do know of one person who had their seat pop out on its first use -- on a non-whitewater river too, which could have been bad, but it's easy to fix anyway.
As for handling, I've found the boat to lean really well, and while it doesn't quite carve turns, it feels crisper than, say, an Ovation. It also spins on a dime while still being very manageable on longer flatwater sections. The vetts, meant to deflect water from the bow, seem to work decently. Obviously they don't do much on larger drops or big water, but I have seen them work pretty well for just keeping the boat drier generally while paddling moderate water. It rolls smoothly, surfs nicely, leans very well without getting edgy, and makes a great all around boat. Good company, good boat. I'm looking forward to trying out the Nexus, their tandem boat, which is due out in the fall.
As for the boat, it's handled just like I'd hoped. I was suprised at how light it was, being used to older and bigger boats that had, I believe, thicker Royalex. It makes for a quick, bouyant feeling, and so far hasn't shown signs of wearing badly, which I was a bit concerned about since it seemed so light. I did put a good dent in the side when I tied it down really tightly on its side on a roof rack; the dent half came out but not all the way. Their Mike Yee outfitting is really comfortable, and again, light, with the nylon loops instead of metal D-rings. I do know of one person who had their seat pop out on its first use -- on a non-whitewater river too, which could have been bad, but it's easy to fix anyway.
As for handling, I've found the boat to lean really well, and while it doesn't quite carve turns, it feels crisper than, say, an Ovation. It also spins on a dime while still being very manageable on longer flatwater sections. The vetts, meant to deflect water from the bow, seem to work decently. Obviously they don't do much on larger drops or big water, but I have seen them work pretty well for just keeping the boat drier generally while paddling moderate water. It rolls smoothly, surfs nicely, leans very well without getting edgy, and makes a great all around boat. Good company, good boat. I'm looking forward to trying out the Nexus, their tandem boat, which is due out in the fall.
0
Comments