| pros: | I'm a 5'10", 135lb playboater so the Booster is not aimed at me but I liked what Riot has done with the foot brace system and the seat is completely rigid (some people had issues with the seat sliding on older model Riot boats). I like the little divots to rest your paddle on and the recessed cockpit rim saves your skirt a lot of wear (but that's true of all Riot boats). I was able to get a few flatwater ends but at 135lb it took a lot of effort and isn't what this boat is for anyway. It was loose on a wave and spins very well but it pearled as much as my Dom44. Yeah, I paddle a Riot Dominatrix 44 and before that a Riot Trickster, and before that a Riot Slice, and before that a Savage Maniac. I have no brand loyalty though, Riot just made the shortest, sliciest boats that suited my style of paddling for a few years running. If was to sell/lose my Dom today, I would get a WaveSport Ace 4.7 tomorrow. If I were to *start* paddling today, I do think the Booster is about the best choice of all the *new* boats out this year. It surfs well and that's your bread and butter move once you learn to roll, eddy turn, and ferry. The boat has enough speed to get a beginner from A to B and enough performance to get anyone well into their second or third season. It's not a dedicated playboat as I've said unless you are at least 150lb. I am going to the Zambezi this fall and the Booster is a boat I would consider taking if I can get one cheap (really cheap). It's comfortable and the quality of construction of the model I tested was *excellent*. The backband was also quite ingenious, with a rigid support that prevents it from sliding down. The 'final frontier' of boat design is outfitting and Riot has done an extremely good job with the Booster. The price is also a plus, being lower that any other manufacturer except for Necky. |
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