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Looking for a Carbonology Boost LV X series Surfski. I'm keen on buying one... I would like to know its stability, speed. Is it good for novice/intermediate paddlers. Is it stable on flat and choppy conditions and
last but not least the cost .
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What layup do you have on the Boost, composite or carbon? Do you have the 9" DK rudder? Do you find it much better stability wise than the 7" rudder that comes standard on the Boost?Hi Norman.
I've had my Carbonology Sport Boost LV for a couple of years now and it is currently my favourite ski (I have 6 skis). Unfortunately this website won't allow me to update my profile so my list of skis is no longer accurate.
The Boost LV is a great downwind and general rough water ski for low Intermediate paddlers.
It's not really a beginner boat for hectic water but an ambitious novice should be able to get used to it fairly quickly in moderate conditions.
It has a great lateral stability profile in that it has reasonable primary stability but lots of secondary stability. This makes it very predictable and easy to handle in choppy, confused conditions. The low profile bow is very resistant to crosswinds which is desirable for light weight paddlers. It turns quite fast but has good directional stability although it must be said that I have an aggressive DK rudder on mine since I only use it in fairly rough water.
It won't win any flat water sprint races but it is definitely not so slow as to be frustrating when conditions are calmer than I expected.
I'm 176cm and 76kg. I'm of medium build but I'm lean. I can't stand wide flat buckets. The Boost LV is a very comfortable and confidence inspiring fit for me. YMMV of course.
Can't help you with cost. It depends what market you are looking in. As far as I can tell they are pretty thin on the ground secondhand.
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Thanks for your quick reply. I'm looking at getting the new carbon layup. I paddled a friend's hybrid with a 9" DK rudder and found the ski really nice. I paddle in Sydney Harbour which can get all sorts of different conditions. I currently have a Think Zen which is nice but I find on the runners it gets a bit corky. Probably a lot to do with my lack of technique but the Boost seems to go better in those sort of conditions being a longer boat. Sometimes a carbon layup can get more unstable for a lighter paddler like me (70kgs) but I'm led to believe the Boost in carbon shouldn't be more unstable.Hi Stefanus.
My Boost LV X is a carbon hybrid layup. I would actually prefer the added stiffness of the full carbon but I bought this one second hand.
I use a 9" 20° DK rudder for proper downwind paddling. This ski is so responsive (the Boost LV X not the original Boost LV) that the 9" rudder is overkill for most of my paddling and it sure is a weed magnet. That being the case ; I've had Don make me a 7" 30° rudder that I use for all but the roughest conditions.
The 9" rudder does add some lateral stability compared to the original rudder but it also makes the ski super sensitive to steering inputs which may or may not help depending on your circumstances.
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Interesting because that's my experience with the Zen as well. It's well regarded in my neck of the woods however, especially popular with women paddlers, some of whom are extremely proficient and fast.I didn't like the Zen at all. I couldn't get used to the kooky stability profile. That flat bottom gives the Zen a huge amount of primary stability with very little secondary stability. This simply did not work for me in any kind of side-on waves. I also found it to have poor directional stability so it was very prone to broaching. Once I was side on to the waves I had a hell of a time keeping the thing up right.
The Boost LV X is completely different. It has a more rounded bottom which I find plays well in choppy confused water. It is also much more directionally stable.
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The boost is virtually identical in length and width to the new vega arc. Would be interesting to compare the two skis.
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