Yep on Sweetwater
On their own site, they list several TR boats for sale.
They’re not listed on Tiderace’s site as a dealer yet, but many kayak manufacturers are slow to update their sites.
Valley’s a good example- they update once every couple of years, whether it needs it or not. =D
first impressions
Had xplore s out for a couple of short paddles. It
seems very stable, primary and secondary. Very
maneuverable actually quite loose, would make a great
rough water play boat unloaded and also great for covering
miles on day paddles flat or in conditions. Back to
the secondary, it does lock in quite good and gives
lots of warning before she goes, but when she does
go it’s quite fast almost like a nordlv. And rolls
really fast and easy, not quite as much pop at the
end of roll as some but rolls really nice for layback
rolls and the GP I was using. Speed feels decent on
flat stuff but felt alot faster the rougher it got
as the wind picked up. The 20" beam was great for
keeping a nice close paddle stroke, cockpit needs
some more padding as it was a bit to big in stock
form. So some thicker foam for thigh braces and
probably ditch the backband and make a slanted
foam back rest/support. Need seat time in more
conditions to get a better feel of boat but so far
I’am liking it. This model is suspose to be for the
smaller with gear to sink hull down enough and give
a very stable ride, I think the larger folk who fit
into this model would like it as a day boat because
there extra weight with out gear would have boat
deeper in water and have alot more stability
especially secondary.
re: size
Great initial review, Jay. Thanks. =]
But I wonder about one thing… it’s the Xplore ‘S’, i.e. the smallest one Tiderace makes, out of four sizes. Yet the stock cockpit is a bit big for you, at your 5’9", 155 lbs?? You’re not that little.
Sounds like a small woman would need an Xplore ‘XS’ then, which TR doesn’t make.
Xplore S
The cockpit fits good but I’am used to paddling
a Tahe greenland OC and all other cockpits feel
big, so getting cockpit outfitting tight enough
will make a big difference for edging and control.
I think someone small would need a smaller fitting
cockpit or lots of foam. Seems like alot of people
who like the handling of boat are at the upper end
of weight scale and over. Probably because it fits tighter and there weight gets hull into water so
the secondary firms up.
Xcite S feedback
I’am still really interested in hearing any feedback
from any xcite s owners or seat time in boat.
How does secondary stability compare to avocet or
romany and efficency/speed when pushed? does it
plow when pushed or still efficent enough for long
day paddles or light touring on flat water days?
re: Tideraces in RM
"Wow, it’s kinda sad that TR is having a hard time gaining traction in some places.
Wonder if it’d help them at all to have some rotomold boats out there? If price is the obstacle…"
Interestingly, and to add to my original point, Tiderace now DOES have a rotomold boat on the way. =]
It’s called the Vortex, and it’s basically their Xtra playboat in plastic. Hope it sells well for them.
re: Xplore M
Awesome mini-review. =]
If I may ask, what is your height and weight? I’ve been wondering if I should be trying out the Xplore M, or the L.