Submitted: 12-11-2003 by RM
While this boat is a step up from our Aquaterra Keowee, it does have some major drawbacks. First, the boat "weather vanes" to the wind. Second, since the boat is a high volume boat it does not handle the chop. Going into the wind is fine. But all other paths result in the boat sitting on top of the waves. Leaving the boat to pick its own direction. I cannot imagine what a day on one of the big lakes would be like. An ocean day trip would be even more frustrating.I use the boat several times per week on a large reservoir. It is fine for relatively calm flat water. It also works well on calm rivers. The boat has adequate storage for day trips. It is also very stable (at a cost [see paragraph II]). The Blackwater is very forgiving. It does not take long to learn the characteristics of the boat which allows the paddler to be able to control the boat (in the right water) without the drop skeg in relatively short order. Overall I give the boat a 6.5. |