Vajda Raptor

Anyone tried the vajda raptor plastic surfski? Is it being sold in the states? Im looking for another plastic type SOT for my local rivers. I've seen the V7 but seems to wide for what I want. Wish they would of made it a little narrower. I prefer 20" or narrower width. Which plastic ski would give the best speed between the V7, Raptor, and cobra surfski? I would put the PRS Fury in the mix but can't get it in the states as of now. I'm assuming the Raptor or cobra ski would give better speed potential do to the 20" Width. I had a ocean kayak sprinter but it was in the 50 lb weight range looking for one with a little less weight. I think the newer plastic skis are around 45 lb range.

I didn't know Vajda had a plastic ski. Theirs is thermoformed, so (if they got it right) will likely be stiffer and lighter than rotomolded skis.

I found some images and specs here:

www.kajaknord.de/epages/64052669.sf/en_G...ski/Vajda_Raptor_Ski

Has thigh straps, yes! And a "real" hatch cover (looks like Kajak Sport, which are good covers).

But the hull looks a bit sea kayak-ish in the front, so it may not be as fast as it could be if it had a classic surfski shape. And no over stern rudder, it looks like, unfortunately.

I have pushed on the hull of a v7 and seen some pics of the boat sawed into pieces, which they apparently do periodically in the factory in south africa for quality control. Anyway, the "rotomolded" hull is like no other rotomolded boat I have seen. The hull appears to be at least more than a cm thick. It is two shells of solid plastic with a rigid lightweight polyethlene foam in between them. So it is sandwhich construction, just like modern composite skis. I dont know if this is an epic eclusive technology or if other rotomold manufacturers do it as well, but i have certainly never seen another plastic boat that rigid. I wouldnt lump the v7 in with other rotomolded kayaks as far as weight and rigidity.

Interesting info on the V7 hull being 1cm or thicker. I have not seen that kind of construction. Have seen Valley's and P&H 3-layer sandwich, which also has foam-like core sandwiched between two layers of smooth solid plastic, but these are only perhaps 3-4mm thick at best. Yes, more rigid than similarly sized single layer kayaks, but not lighter. I have not seen the V7 in the flesh, so can't judge it, but have seen plenty of thermoformed kayaks - some good, some not so good in terms of construction quality and rigidity, so it depends a lot on the particular manufacturer's technology and the material quality. Good to have more choices

If only the v7 had a 20" width or less I would be all over it for my local river races where shallow water and obstacles are a problem. Almost looks wide as my pungo at the seat area. I'm sure it is marketed to people just getting into surfski type boats that's why they made it so wide.

The V7 is 21.25" wide. The Epic V8 is 22" wide. There is more to speed than just width numbers but considering that the V8 is the most popular ski made, Epic was probably wise to make their first plastic kayak as similar as possible to the V8.

Hoping that now that Epic knows its on a winner with the V7 they turn their attention to a V10 style plastic for more advanced paddlers wanting something quicker for surf and whitewater paddling.

Surfski dude - Think now makes a "river layup" with extra kevlar. Go get yourself a think uno max river layup. Huki will make you a ski with as much kevlar and S glass as you want. The S1-z should have speed a plenty. Or get a Finn Molokai plastic ski. V7 is not designed to win unlimited class races.

I will check those out zachhandler. Thanks

Checked the Finn Molokai, I can't find a distributor in the states. Spirit doesn't sell the PRS or Fury here either anymore. Guess I will wait. The Think River layup I'm sure will handle what you can throw at it but I don't want to spend $3200 on a Rock Basher.

Vadja have released a fitness and recreational range made of Styrolight.
If you are interested in the models you can download the full catalogue, which includes the Raptor, here:

www.fitnesslifestyle.com.au/fitnesspaddl...ia/introduction.html