Gear Review: Pyranha 9R II Whitewater Kayak
Value Rating: 10
Durability Rating: 10
Overall Rating: 10
Location of Test: White Salmon River
Duration of Test: 2 days
Product Name: 9R2 Large
Product Brand: Pyranha
Best Use: Creeking, Race, Big Water, Overnighters
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The Full Review:
The Pyranha 9RII Large has finally arrived in the United States. I got a chance to take it out for a lap on the Orletta section of the white salmon river last week and I was pleasantly surprised. The first thing to note about this boat is that it is 9ft 5inches long. That means before even getting in the boat we know it’s going to carry speed and track better than many of the creekers under 9ft. The next thing to note is that this boat is 90 gallons. After paddling the dagger phantom for a while at 89 gallons this wasn’t much of an adjustment for me. Lastly, after looking at the hull before I put on, I was amazingly surprised to see the OG 9R edge on this new boat!! Some folks were slightly bummed that the edges have been slightly softened in the 9RII medium, so it looks like they made up for it in the large.
On the water this boat was fast! I felt like I was able to cruise through rapids without anything throwing me off line. I engaged the edges and was zipping back and forth across the river. I was able to get comfortable really quickly didn’t find any quirks to note. I really like the edge on this boat and how well it stays on a line. I would say at 185lbs I am towards the bottom of the weight limit though. I think because of that it was harder for me to control the bow because I hadn’t engaged the full waterline. Overall this is an awesome large creeker that could excel in both tight creeker, big water, and has ample room for overnighters. Try one out!
The Good:
Fast
Comfortable
Tracks Well
Sweet Bow Rocker
Awesome Edges
The Full Review:
The Pyranha 9RII Large has finally arrived in the United States. I got a chance to take it out for a lap on the Orletta section of the white salmon river last week and I was pleasantly surprised. The first thing to note about this boat is that it is 9ft 5inches long. That means before even getting in the boat we know it’s going to carry speed and track better than many of the creekers under 9ft. The next thing to note is that this boat is 90 gallons. After paddling the dagger phantom for a while at 89 gallons this wasn’t much of an adjustment for me. Lastly, after looking at the hull before I put on, I was amazingly surprised to see the OG 9R edge on this new boat!! Some folks were slightly bummed that the edges have been slightly softened in the 9RII medium, so it looks like they made up for it in the large.
On the water this boat was fast! I felt like I was able to cruise through rapids without anything throwing me off line. I engaged the edges and was zipping back and forth across the river. I was able to get comfortable really quickly didn’t find any quirks to note. I really like the edge on this boat and how well it stays on a line. I would say at 185lbs I am towards the bottom of the weight limit though. I think because of that it was harder for me to control the bow because I hadn’t engaged the full waterline. Overall this is an awesome large creeker that could excel in both tight creeker, big water, and has ample room for overnighters. Try one out!
The Good:
Fast
Comfortable
Tracks Well
Sweet Bow Rocker
Awesome Edges