well... Posted by: bowler1 on Oct-24-12 8:16 PM (EST)
To respond to a previous question, I have a Diesel 75 (older model that is no longer offered now that they have gone to teh 80 for their bigger boat). The Diesel 75 fits me nicely. I think that with the Fuse I will have to make a choice to trade off fit vs. volume. The 56 will fit me well, but I think the volume will be too low. That leaves the 64 which is big, but I think the volume will suite me better, albeit not an ideal volume either. Although I have not been able to paddle either, I think that the 56 may just be too slicey for me for river running and surfing. A more experienced play boater would probably be fine with it, but I am used to paddling and surfing a sea kayak where volume is not an issue. I think that I may have to make due with a roomy fit in order to get the volume I may need. My thinking is this....and feel free to disagree with me....but at about 193 out of the shower, if you add paddling gear I will be close to 200 with all my gear. If I need to wear a dry suit it will be about 205 I would guess. Add some water on your gear and in your boat and I will be at 210. I think that may just be pushing the limit for this boat. I wish the sizes overlapped a little so that a person like me would not end up with a lousy solution either way you go. Someone right at my weight is either going to end up in a boat that is too low volume or too high volume. I invite disagreement with my thoughts, but I think that is probably what I will need to do. I just feel that the lower volume boat will be slicey and squirrelly and that the bow may really pearl when surfing. But on the other hand...two of the guys I have recently paddle with weigh the same as I do and paddle jackson 4Funs and don't have problems with it (and I think it has the same weight limit) Matt