has anyone seen or demo'd one of these bad boys yet? our local retailer hasn't been able to get them yet, but do have them on order. i'm quite jazzed about this new rig and am looking for first hand feedback.
Not yet…
Our local shop has not gotten them in either, and I am also anxious to here how they perform.
debut
they will prolly made their first appearance at the East coast fest in Charleston next weekend…hopefully. other dealers…soon.
steve
plastic first, glass later?
looking forward…
yep
you got that right.
roto then composite.
steve
looking forward to seeing one!
Paul
Mr Flatpick,
i originally didn’t want to ask, figured i’d find out when i demo one, but curiosity gets the best of me. if you are so inclined, i’m wondering where this boat fits in the WS line? what performance aspects is it supposed to address that the Tempest doesn’t already? how is it supposed to compare to that boat? what was the design intent, if you will?
da Z
The Zephyr…
In relationship to the Tempest it was designed as a more sporty, shorter, playboat for ocean, current and surf.
It’s a touch wider, somewhat shorter and much more rockered than a Tempest. Typical WS fit and outfitting with a new Kajaksport stern hatch. The Tempest will get this upgrade soon, as well.
The boat is loosely based on the old Dagger Meridian. A number of changes were made.
steve
champing at the bit now
i haven’t paddled a Meridian, but the idea of a more maneuverable boat yet than the Tempest is highly appealing.
More on Zephyr?
How would the Z be as an almost exclusively flatwater touring boat? Does the better maneuverabilty hurt speed and/or tracking?
ya think???
it’s shorter than a T so waterline length is reduced and consequently speed.
“man this boat turns well and is manouverable”
“man this boat doesn’t track very well”
There is always the skeg
“man this boat tracks well with the skeg down”
“man this boat won’t turn with the skeg down”
understand my drift?
using a Zephyr exclusively for flatwater is like buying a Hummer to take the kids to soccer.
steve
Refined Meridian
My old Kevlar Meridian has a lot going for it - quite good speed combined with 16’ length and light weight (around 39#).
My wishes for improvements are:
tu-tu
2-2, 2 too, tutu, Number 2 also.
bigger cockpit, waaaayyyyy better seat in a better position. the meridian benefits from an aft of standard seat position. this takes ripping out the seat as it was glued in. On prototyping we ripped out the old seat and replaced with a lower tempest 170 seat. made for a more secure fit and better tracking (seat moved aft)
steve
re: zephyr
Can you explain a bit on how products are introduced? I imagine that marketing materials(paper & electronic) are prepared months in advance.
When I look at the Wilderness Systems website I see no mention of the Zephyr; but I can look at the websites of several dealers and see that it is in the lineup?
When are most kayaks ordered? I would imagine that you try to get orders in sometime in the winter for the upcoming season? So how do you get a new model that is introduced mid season out to the shops and into consumers hands?
I’m just curious as to how new boats like the Zephyr or Dagger Green boat show up if they aren’t on most shops orders.
well now…
Can you explain a bit on how products are introduced? I imagine that marketing materials(paper & electronic) are prepared months in advance.
yep.
When I look at the Wilderness Systems website I see no mention of the Zephyr; but I can look at the websites of several dealers and see that it is in the lineup?
huh? we don’t have the Z on our website? typical day late and dollar short CWS SOP.
When are most kayaks ordered? I would imagine that you try to get orders in sometime in the winter for the upcoming season?
yes
So how do you get a new model that is introduced mid season out to the shops and into consumers hands?
pre-season orders placed in the winter
I’m just curious as to how new boats like the Zephyr or Dagger Green boat show up if they aren’t on most shops orders.
the models were introduced at the OR Summer Market in August. they get delivered when they get done.
steve
the new WS website
will be up any day now, with the new info and Zephyr in place.