Words by Adam Goshorn - Photos by Ouzal Hinz
I was pretty excited when I heard Pyranha was going to make
a second generation of the 9R series. The
original 9R Large fit me well and complemented my Machno nicely for times when
I wanted more speed. I also always have
a some amount of anxiety surrounding a update of an existing boat that I like. I worry the new design might not suit me as
well and being at the top of (or sometimes over) the weight range on most boats,
sizing is always one of my biggest (pun intended) concerns (#bigguyproblems). I always wonder if the new design be big enough
for all day comfort and will it float me high enough in the water for me to
take advantage of all the intended benefits of the design.
When the stats of the 9R II Large were finally released, my
fears were eased and my excitement spiked.
Despite being the same volume (90 gallons) as the first generation, the new
large is around ¾ of an inch narrower and 6 inches longer! Just reading the stats got me excited. One drawback of the original 9R Large was
that because of the design choice to keep the overall length to under nine feet
(to keep it in the short-boat class when racing), it simply wasn’t as fast or
nimble as the smaller version. I was
really pleased to hear that this time around the design would not be restricted
to the arbitrary nine-foot mark. The
added length would certainly help add speed and just as importantly it allowed
for a slight narrowing of the overall width, which enhances both speed and agility.
Boat Stats: Pyranha
9R II Large
Length: 9’5”
Width: 26”
Volume: 90 gal
Weight: 51 lbs
Optimum Paddler Weight: 165-275 lbs
When reading a review of a boat (or any other gear), it is important
to have some background on the reviewer to be able to take their assessment in
context and see their opinion for what it is.
As for me, I started paddling canoes with my dad in the 1980s and moved
from canoes to kayaks in 2000. I’ve been
paddling 100-150 days a year ever since with perhaps 20% of that time spent
playboating and the other 80% spent running creeks and rivers. As a big guy (6’1” tall and 265 lbs), I’ve made
it a point to try most of the larger kayaks that have come out over the
years. I enjoy trying different boats
and comparing the various design features… after all, every choice in design is
somewhat of a tradeoff and I find it interesting to experience the differences.
At the time of this writing, I’ve had about a dozen days in
the 9R II Large. A couple great days on Johnnies
Creek, a steep (300 FPM), low-volume creek consisting of a mix of bedrock slides
and boulder rapids. I’ve also gotten ten days on another local favorite, Little River Canyon, at levels ranging from 400-1300
CFS. The character of Little River
Canyon varies greatly depending on the water level. At lower levels it consists of technical, boulder-choked
rapids that require precise maneuvering.
At higher levels, the character shifts to that of pushy river running on
steep rapids with some serious holes.
The variety of levels over the past month have provided a great
opportunity to test the 9R II Large in a lot of different situations.
One of the first noticeable things when looking at and
paddling the 9R II is the dramatic, up-turned bow. The bow rocker continues almost all the way to
where the deck of the boat meets the nose.
When sitting neutral in the water, the uppermost extent of the bow
rocker is at least as high as the front of the cockpit rim, maybe even higher. On the water this results in a ton of bow
lift and a boat that wants to go over everything in its path. When coming off pour-over features and ledges,
it changes downward momentum into forward momentum extremely efficiently…
sending the paddler satisfyingly skimming across the backwash.
Despite the overall width being narrower than the original
9R Large, the widest part of the 9R II Large stays wider for longer towards the
stern of the boat. This strategically
placed width and volume really helps keep the boat more level when coming out
of holes and landing drops. Instead of a
big wheelie, where the bow shoots skyward and lots of momentum is lost, the downward
momentum become forward momentum without slowing down as much. The updated large also has a little bit more pronounced
chine edge in the center of the boat which can be engaged with a slight lean to
whip into an eddy or hold a line when charging through turbulent water.
The Large Machno’s greater overall load capacity is
something to consider for paddlers over the recommended weight range for the 9R
II Large, those planning to carry enough gear that would put them over the recommended
range, or just those wanting the biggest, most forgiving boat for heavier
paddlers. The Machno’s higher volume and
rounder edges do make it even more forgiving, but it is certainly not as high performance. The tradeoff is that being narrower and having
a slight edge keeps the 9R II from getting pushed around as easily in higher volume
situations and in those scenarios, it seems to hold a line a little better than
the Machno.
Below is some video from my first week paddling the 9R II
Large. I tried to pick out clips that
show the way the hull reacts in a variety of circumstances. Since that first week, I’ve moved the seat
forward and am feeling even more dialed-in, a change I’d definitely recommend for
anyone at the higher end of the weight range.
With my weight slightly more forward, it was easier to control the bow
and seemed to really add precision to my boat placement.
The 9R II is an impressive design and combined with the dimensions
of 9R II Large, Pyranha has created perhaps the fastest and most nimble boat
that has ever been available for bigger paddlers. Faster acceleration, faster outright speed, quicker
turning… what’s not to like? Despite all
its high-performance characteristics, overall it is also very forgiving, a feature
to be appreciated by beginners and experts alike. A few quick strokes bring it up to speed, it boofs
over anything, and moves around the river with the handling of a sports
car. I love everything about it and look
forward to zipping around my favorite runs in it for years to come!
Until Next Time…
Adam Goshorn
| kayak session |
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