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Discover the Pyranha S6 190 and 200. Pyranha has been kind enough to lend us two boats to use for a review. After much boat swapping the final review is here, read on !

"Official" PLAYAK reviews

We start with the Pyranha S6 a new format for the boat reviews on PLAYAK.COM. We have published in the past reviews by pro paddlers and we will continue to do so. But we understand the concern that some paddlers have expressed in Playboating Magazine when reviews are written by people who get pro-deals from the manufacturer. So we introduce here the "official" PLAYAK reviews. The format is not completely decided yet but in an "official" review, the "test paddlers" will not be involved with any manufacturer. We will post their comments "as is" with very few editing and we will ask them to comment on the boat on some key aspects: look, comfort, performance on wave, performance in the hole, forgivingness.

We start with the Pyranha S6. Quite a few people had a go in the boat, especially in the 190 that we had for almost 3 months. We selected 4 sets of comment because we think they reflect well the overall perception of the boat. None of the reviewers has any kind of affiliation with Pyranha or any other boat manufacturer. Read on to discover the Pyranha S6!

The Pyranha S6

The guys at Pyranha feel the sport has moved on from the old concept of "park and play" to a more crossover style where you take your boat to a park and play site one week and the next are out on the river running it and playing. The S6 is the short boat of their "X (cross) Play" range. This is a short boat designed for the new school type moves (aerial, loops etc...). There are two sizes produced by Pyranha: 190 cm and 200 cm. We have been able to test both versions for this review although the S6 190 did not have the production outfitting. For stats and pictures of the production boats, please refer to this article for the S6 190 or the Pyranha website for the S6 200.

The reviews...

[The pictures feature Jeff Grainger (2nd tester) in the S6 190 ( orange boat) and Paul "Cheesy" Robertson, Team Pyranha in the S6 200 (blue-green-ish boat) both in Hurley on 3 gates. All pictures by Tim Sadler.]

[mail address protected from spambots with javascript] Sadler

• Boat tested: S6 190
• Height: 180cm (5'11")
• Weight: 72kg (159 lbs)
• Usual boat: Liquid Logic Session
• Location of the tests: Eddylines, HPP, Tryweryn, Hurley on 3 gates.

This has got to be the maddest little boat on the water at the moment. Yeah there are G-forces, Technos, Flipsticks and Deleriums around but the S6 has a look that is truly unique. The slick swallow tail and unique 'Power Pockets' on the front and back decks combine to make a boat that turns heads.

The 190 we tested had the old seat in it, so it was not as the production models, but it was the next best. Pyranha have arguabley one of the best backbands on the market with the Super XR system and combined with a neat little shock block (which can be removed or padded out as required). You can get a really nice fit in this small boat. Those generous guys also provide you with a complete padding out kit, so you can really tailor this boat to your requirements.

On the shoulder this is the lightest plastic boat you will carry, coming in at only 14.2kg (verified on scale). Much has been said about Pyranha plastic over the years, though in the three months this boat has been abused, the plastic is still going strong and I expect it to do so for a long while yet. At 5'11" with a 32" inseam, this boat was a bit of a squeeze for me, but I was still able to trim it up sweet. Anyone much taller will have problems getting in this smaller model.

On the wave the wide hull and large rocker mean that this surfs amazingly. It doesn't have the hull length to get the speed up for fast waves, but on a steep wave this boat explodes into action. The end result is air, air and more air. This boat is making the air blunt possible on smallish waves and it also puts them in the reach of the intermediate who want is willing to give it a go. In a hole this boat is very different to the playboats of last year. Compared to the Ego, Session, Dominatrix, Delerious designs this boat is not a cartwheeling machine. It lacks stability on its edges and with the volume around the waist it has the tendancy to 'bob' just as the original Discos did. However turn this boat to engage the front or back decks and "Good things will happen". This is a boat which is truly suited to those wanting to learn the art of looping. For those already able to loop, get this boat trimmed out right and get some massive air.

As for river-running, it was soon obvious that this boat doesn't punch holes (after all it is designed to do the opposite). Apply this to any large hole on a river and you are going to have to choose a pretty good line to get through anything sticky.

Jeff Grainger

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