My Background:
My name is Chris Ohta and I currently live in Wenatchee, WA with my wonderful wife and 2 dogs. I have been paddling since 2002 and was an ACA certified Whitewater Instructor and raft guide for 7 years in Leavenworth, WA. My local runs are the Tumwater Canyon, Icicle Creek, Little Wenatchee, Nason and the Wenatchee Play Run. We don't have many real low volume "Butt Busters" out here and many of our "creeks" might be considered rivers to people from other regions. Bigger boulder gardens, consistent gradient and some big drops would be a good description of many of our runs but not too much pool-drop in our immediate area.
Let me start by saying that I have paddled the Jefe and the Jefe Grande for a number of years now and I have paddle primarily displacement hull creek boats. The Jefe Grande had been the best creek boat for me and will continue to be one of my favorite creek boats, but the new Liquidlogic Stomper has now become my favorite creek boat.
Why?
1. Speed/Maneuverability
The Stomper feels like the fastest under 9' boat I have paddled. I love the feeling of it's speed when crossing eddy lines, holding a gliding draw into boofs, and when making ferries. I feel like it's about a couple strokes faster than the regular Jefe I was paddling before I got the Stomper, and maybe a stroke faster than the Jefe Grande. I am going the same distance on fewer strokes and I feel like can get up to speed faster than in the Jefe series. It is also one of the most maneuverable boats that I have ever paddled. It turns on a dime while holding a line relatively well.
2. Secondary Stability/Edge
For me, the Stomper seems to have way more secondary stability than the Jefe series did. I feel like I can take off and land from boofs at a more severe angle and feel stable. This makes eddy boofs more fun as I can land on more of an edge, and then feel like I am instantly carving into the eddy. It feels great to be carving hard and really snapping into and out of eddies. I had to actually keep reminding myself that I had an edge that I could engage when making ferries and cross current moves. The edge and secondary stability also give me more confidence when battling out of holes. The ability to move more easily to the edge of a hole is awesome, and I actually can't wait to surf the Stomper on some big green waves on the Wenactchee this next year.
3. Boofalicious
Just like the Jefe series, the Stomper loves to boof. So boofalicious!!! Initially I was concerned that the edges might be a little grabby when getting a little dry on some boofs but I have been pleasantly surprised. The best thing about the edges on the Stomper is that I don't notice them until I want to. The Stomper also accelerates away from drops and holes like no other boat. I thought the Jefe Grande was good at this but the Stomper takes it to a new level. It's like landing a MX kayak with a little built in "braaaap-braaap".
4. Rear Access/Larger Cockpit
This is one of those things that has been overlooked until now. Don't think this is just for overnight and expedition boaters. If you carry anything in the back of your boat it makes it more accessible, especially if you have to get it fast, and it allows for stowing your gear with less chafing on your dry bags. I carry my breakdown paddle, pin kit and first aid kit in the back of my boat every time I paddle so I love how easy the access is now. Great design for instructors that have to carry extra gear/food, safety boaters, video/photo boaters and anyone that just likes to carry some extra gear. The larger cockpit is a great feature too. Note: It is an XL cockpit not a L like the Jefe series. This allows for more storage in front of the paddler but I found that it also just feels better getting in and out. I am only 5'7" and 175lbs but I even like the larger cockpit for easy of entry and exit, especially in little eddies.
Conclusion:
The Stomper 90 is my new favorite creek boat!!! It is perfect for the way I paddle and the rivers/creeks in our area. This boat inspires confidence and I find that it makes everything I want to do easier which is exactly what I want in my creek boat. You should get out and demo one and you will see that the Stomper is a sick new addition to the Liquidlogic arsenal. My hat is off to the folks at Liquidlogic Kayaks and thank you for making another incredible boat.
Stay tuned for some action shots as they are on the way...
Just like the Jefe series, the Stomper loves to boof. So boofalicious!!! Initially I was concerned that the edges might be a little grabby when getting a little dry on some boofs but I have been pleasantly surprised. The best thing about the edges on the Stomper is that I don't notice them until I want to. The Stomper also accelerates away from drops and holes like no other boat. I thought the Jefe Grande was good at this but the Stomper takes it to a new level. It's like landing a MX kayak with a little built in "braaaap-braaap".
4. Rear Access/Larger Cockpit
This is one of those things that has been overlooked until now. Don't think this is just for overnight and expedition boaters. If you carry anything in the back of your boat it makes it more accessible, especially if you have to get it fast, and it allows for stowing your gear with less chafing on your dry bags. I carry my breakdown paddle, pin kit and first aid kit in the back of my boat every time I paddle so I love how easy the access is now. Great design for instructors that have to carry extra gear/food, safety boaters, video/photo boaters and anyone that just likes to carry some extra gear. The larger cockpit is a great feature too. Note: It is an XL cockpit not a L like the Jefe series. This allows for more storage in front of the paddler but I found that it also just feels better getting in and out. I am only 5'7" and 175lbs but I even like the larger cockpit for easy of entry and exit, especially in little eddies.
Conclusion:
The Stomper 90 is my new favorite creek boat!!! It is perfect for the way I paddle and the rivers/creeks in our area. This boat inspires confidence and I find that it makes everything I want to do easier which is exactly what I want in my creek boat. You should get out and demo one and you will see that the Stomper is a sick new addition to the Liquidlogic arsenal. My hat is off to the folks at Liquidlogic Kayaks and thank you for making another incredible boat.
Stay tuned for some action shots as they are on the way...
Sent a message on Facebook, but did you ever consider the 80?
ReplyDeleteNo not really. I paddled the Jefe and the Jefe Grande for a number of years. I loved the Grande so I wanted the bigger boat. I raised the seat and have outfitted the Stomper 90 it is near perfect for me now.
ReplyDeleteWhat did you use to raise your seat? I'm considering raising mine slightly.
ReplyDeleteI used the 3/4 pre-cut pad from Outdoor Play. You could easily take the time to measure and cut a piece of 3/4 inch to 1 inch foam to fit. I was told from a friend at Liquidlogic that the rivets should work with up to 3/4 inch foam. The only rivets that were affected by the foam I used were the two in the middle of the seat, and I just drilled the holes through the foam a little small so that the rivets got good bite just from the foam. Hope this helps!!!
ReplyDeleteJust be gentle when popping the rivets out so you can use them again. If by chance they break, you should be able to get more at an auto parts store.
ReplyDeleteOh, and you only need to remove to front rivets and the middle two
ReplyDeleteJust picked up my 90 and I'm excited to get it on the water. I'm pretty much the exact same size as you, do you find you have any problems with the width of the boat? Also where do you have the seat at?
ReplyDeleteI raised the seat 3/4 inches. You can carefully pull out the plastic rivets and glue or stick on a closed cell foam pad then put the rivets back in. You just need to drill holes for the center 2 rivets in the foam. You could just poke holes with an ice pick or something like that.
ReplyDeleteI meant where do you have the seat in terms of forward/back. Did you leave it in the center?
ReplyDeleteI paddled it with the seat pretty much center but not exactly positive. I move the seat forward of center and then started moving it back until the trim was approx. 2" more bow than stern from the side view (with breakdown, pin kit and first aid). I found that it like me in that spot and paddled the best for me. Hope that helps!!
ReplyDelete