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vega_flex_2020_b
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vega_flex_2020_b [2024/06/12 18:55] preavley |
vega_flex_2020_b [2025/03/23 19:50] (current) |
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| [[:surfski_tables|Main Surfski Specs Table]] | [[:surfski_tables|Main Surfski Specs Table]] | ||
| - | See [[:vega_flex_2020|Kauai Paddler Flex Review]] | + | See also: |
| - | **Van Douglas (Gorge surfskier)** \\ | + | * [[:vega_flex_2020|Kauai Paddler Flex Review]] |
| - | May 25, 2020 (facebook) | + | * [[:failed_vega_flex_footplate_bolt|Vega Flex Footplate & Fix]] |
| + | |||
| + | **Van Douglas (Gorge surfskier)** \\ May 25, 2020 (facebook) | ||
| Hey paddlers, | Hey paddlers, | ||
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| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
| - | **First glance** | + | **First glance**<WRAP indent> |
| - | + | ||
| - | <WRAP indent> | + | |
| At 20.5 feet x 18.25 inches wide (20.2 m x 46.3 cm) the Vega is a beautiful ski. It comes in around 21 lbs. This is their standard layup. The lines are a blend of seamless geometry of form and function. There are no hard angles. The bulk of the volume is distributed in front of the cockpit and tapers off to the tail. More noticeably in this ski than others I have paddled. It has lower rails than the original Vega, which I my opinion were pretty high. It also has a low hump that facilitates a good leg drive. Venting is on the back deck using a cork and tube system, similar to OC1 designs. | At 20.5 feet x 18.25 inches wide (20.2 m x 46.3 cm) the Vega is a beautiful ski. It comes in around 21 lbs. This is their standard layup. The lines are a blend of seamless geometry of form and function. There are no hard angles. The bulk of the volume is distributed in front of the cockpit and tapers off to the tail. More noticeably in this ski than others I have paddled. It has lower rails than the original Vega, which I my opinion were pretty high. It also has a low hump that facilitates a good leg drive. Venting is on the back deck using a cork and tube system, similar to OC1 designs. | ||
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| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
| - | **Drain** | + | **Drain**<WRAP indent> |
| - | + | ||
| - | <WRAP indent> | + | |
| It has a single large scupper drain that comes with a plug on a tether. I took mine out since I like a clean cockpit. The scupper also has a small piece left over from the original Vega that held the spring mechanism in the retractable drain system. I took mine out to avoid any obstructions in the drain. Overall the large scupper drain works great. On the few times I swamped the bucket it emptied quickly, comparable to other double scupper drains I have seen. | It has a single large scupper drain that comes with a plug on a tether. I took mine out since I like a clean cockpit. The scupper also has a small piece left over from the original Vega that held the spring mechanism in the retractable drain system. I took mine out to avoid any obstructions in the drain. Overall the large scupper drain works great. On the few times I swamped the bucket it emptied quickly, comparable to other double scupper drains I have seen. | ||
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| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
| - | **Footplate** | + | **Footplate**<WRAP indent> |
| - | + | ||
| - | <WRAP indent> | + | |
| The footplate system is a simple design allowing the paddler a wide range of adjustments. The footplate is locked in place using a cam lever system. Pedals are adjusted using a micro-cleat tie off system. The rudder is spring loaded and always returns to the center. This is a nice feature. Heavy leg drivers need to make sure these cam locks are tight. If you don't want to worry about it or don't adjust the footplate often simply get two 10 mm stainless nuts, replace the plastic washers with stainless flat washers and lock the footplate in place. You can remove the cam locks or use them to lock the nuts in place. For anyone that may be using a foot strap leash, where the foot strap is the anchor point, I would not recommend it. Due to the footplate design you could possibly pull the whole foot plate off in a high wind broach situation. Use the molded in leash attachment in the hump. | The footplate system is a simple design allowing the paddler a wide range of adjustments. The footplate is locked in place using a cam lever system. Pedals are adjusted using a micro-cleat tie off system. The rudder is spring loaded and always returns to the center. This is a nice feature. Heavy leg drivers need to make sure these cam locks are tight. If you don't want to worry about it or don't adjust the footplate often simply get two 10 mm stainless nuts, replace the plastic washers with stainless flat washers and lock the footplate in place. You can remove the cam locks or use them to lock the nuts in place. For anyone that may be using a foot strap leash, where the foot strap is the anchor point, I would not recommend it. Due to the footplate design you could possibly pull the whole foot plate off in a high wind broach situation. Use the molded in leash attachment in the hump. | ||
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| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
| - | **Rudder** | + | **Rudder**<WRAP indent> |
| - | + | ||
| - | <WRAP indent> | + | |
| The Vega Flex comes with an 8 inch dagger rudder. Rudders are a personal preference. For my weight and Gorge conditions I prefer a 7-1/2" 25° DK rudder on this ski. The ski is already highly responsive and this rudder helps to slow things down a bit. Plus it sheds weeds and provides a small bit of roll stability with it's wide chord. | The Vega Flex comes with an 8 inch dagger rudder. Rudders are a personal preference. For my weight and Gorge conditions I prefer a 7-1/2" 25° DK rudder on this ski. The ski is already highly responsive and this rudder helps to slow things down a bit. Plus it sheds weeds and provides a small bit of roll stability with it's wide chord. | ||
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| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
| - | **Flatwater Speed** | + | **Flatwater Speed**<WRAP indent> |
| - | + | ||
| - | <WRAP indent> | + | |
| After paddling both this ski and my flatwater racer, a 2nd Gen Epic V10 carbon Elite, the V10 is actually faster. No surprise here. The Vega Flex has a substantial amount of rocker (much more than the V10) and is primarily designed for downwind surfing. The Vega is still very fast though in the flats compared to other comparable downwind skis. | After paddling both this ski and my flatwater racer, a 2nd Gen Epic V10 carbon Elite, the V10 is actually faster. No surprise here. The Vega Flex has a substantial amount of rocker (much more than the V10) and is primarily designed for downwind surfing. The Vega is still very fast though in the flats compared to other comparable downwind skis. | ||
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| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
| - | **Waves** | + | **Waves**<WRAP indent> |
| - | + | ||
| - | <WRAP indent> | + | |
| This is where the Flex shines. I paddle in the Gorge and Spring conditions on the Columbia often have erratic gusty wind, high water, strong currents, and messy waves, which is the perfect conditions to test a surfski. The last paddle session was at 350,000 CFS. High but typical for the Spring. | This is where the Flex shines. I paddle in the Gorge and Spring conditions on the Columbia often have erratic gusty wind, high water, strong currents, and messy waves, which is the perfect conditions to test a surfski. The last paddle session was at 350,000 CFS. High but typical for the Spring. | ||
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| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
| - | **Pearling** | + | **Pearling**<WRAP indent> |
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| - | <WRAP indent> | + | |
| I was not able to pearl this ski. If you are going to pearl, Swell and the Hatch is where you will find it since waves can be steep and close together. I looked for waves to test this on and even leaned forward in the ones I found and I could not get the nose to dive. This is due to the excellent volume distribution. The webbing in front of the cockpit helps break up the water. Wave deflectors are a personal preference and I like them in the Gorge, but so far I see no reason to use one on this ski. We’ll see on bigger runs if this still holds true. | I was not able to pearl this ski. If you are going to pearl, Swell and the Hatch is where you will find it since waves can be steep and close together. I looked for waves to test this on and even leaned forward in the ones I found and I could not get the nose to dive. This is due to the excellent volume distribution. The webbing in front of the cockpit helps break up the water. Wave deflectors are a personal preference and I like them in the Gorge, but so far I see no reason to use one on this ski. We’ll see on bigger runs if this still holds true. | ||
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| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
| - | **Stability** | + | **Stability**<WRAP indent> |
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| - | <WRAP indent> | + | |
| Initial and secondary stability were good. To me this ski does not feel “twitchy”. It doesn’t feel like it wants to lean to one side or the other. It has a low cockpit that puts you close to the water, which helps with initial stability but you really do have to pay attention to it due to its responsiveness. | Initial and secondary stability were good. To me this ski does not feel “twitchy”. It doesn’t feel like it wants to lean to one side or the other. It has a low cockpit that puts you close to the water, which helps with initial stability but you really do have to pay attention to it due to its responsiveness. | ||
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| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
| - | **Other Notes** | + | **Other Notes**<WRAP indent> |
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| - | <WRAP indent> | + | |
| I did not find turning this ski upwind to be too difficult. I did have to stay on top of it more though. I feel it didn't get pushed around in the wind chop. It also did really well in the sloppy small mash potato waves we often get here in the spring. Remounting wasn't different than other skis I have paddled. The cockpit is roomy, even with my wide hip bones and is relatively a "dry ride" compared to other skis I have paddled. The higher rails also enable more connection points on your leg increasing stability and maneuverability on a wave. The foot well is narrow. I have wide feet and although a bit snug with booties, my feet were comfortable. | I did not find turning this ski upwind to be too difficult. I did have to stay on top of it more though. I feel it didn't get pushed around in the wind chop. It also did really well in the sloppy small mash potato waves we often get here in the spring. Remounting wasn't different than other skis I have paddled. The cockpit is roomy, even with my wide hip bones and is relatively a "dry ride" compared to other skis I have paddled. The higher rails also enable more connection points on your leg increasing stability and maneuverability on a wave. The foot well is narrow. I have wide feet and although a bit snug with booties, my feet were comfortable. | ||
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| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
| - | **Recommendations / Improvements** | + | **Recommendations / Improvements**<WRAP indent> |
| - | + | ||
| - | <WRAP indent> | + | |
| Overall this ski is well designed and thought out. The only thing I would recommend would be on the footplate cam lever locking system. While it’s really easy to adjust and has a wide range of adjustability, I think an improved robust footplate locking system would be highly beneficial. | Overall this ski is well designed and thought out. The only thing I would recommend would be on the footplate cam lever locking system. While it’s really easy to adjust and has a wide range of adjustability, I think an improved robust footplate locking system would be highly beneficial. | ||
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