About myself

I've been running rivers for many years, only watching from the eddy wishing I could have a boat that was up to cartwheeling and more, so when the opportunity came round to buy a play boat I did extensive research. I wanted a boat that played well but could also get me down a good grade 4 without being eaten alive.

About the test environment

The Turbo has been put to test on many of my local rivers, the Leven, Kent, Crake, Roeburn, Duddon, Rawthey, Sprint and Clough. Generally quite a wide selection over a 2 year period. I recon that's a reasonable test period!

Review

On first purchasing the Turbo 52 my initial thoughts were 'if it paddles anywhere near as good as it looks it'll be amazing!'. Unfortunately it didn't to begin with. This is not a boat you can just slip into and paddle like a demon. It took me a good 5 - 6 river days to get the measure of its edges and balance. River running was tough to start with but get this boat on a wave or in a hole and WOW! it's magic!

Outfitting is good with all the usual ratchets for the back support , foot rest and knee pads. I tend not to use the knee pads, favouring to push them as loose at they will go - this is a small boat and I think I must be on the height limit because it's ain't half tight on me.

Conclusion

In conclusion I love my turbo 52. Do not expect it to love you for a good few paddles though.

About myself

Having been paddling with club kitt for just over a year, i had decided i needed a boat, and a friend of mine was trying to sell his. Now being a simular size, and having paddled the turbo at a pool session, wearing only boardshots, i believed i could manage the boat.... oh my mistake...

At the time i could not roll sucessfully, after failing to roll the club I4 several times

About the test environment

The river teifi has some flatwater sections, with a selection of grade 2/3 rapids dotted along the way. This changes with water level, as there are two infamous areas, grade 3/4 and 4/5+ respectivly. It requires 2 days to complete in full.

Review

Boat was, as predicted, very edgy, which really improved my skills paddling in just a few days, but due to my height and weight, made the tail drag badly, and i had to constantly paddle to stay upright. The couch i was with firmly believed that once i learned to roll, i should get a boat more suited to my size.

The boat itself wasnt bad, but it seems that the club had already giving it a reputation before i brought it as a skippy little number, famed for being slightly unforgiving.

However, it was the most fun i have had on the water with the exception of some recent rivers, so if your slightl shorter then 6 foot 1, and weigh alot less, the feel free to try out the
boat!

Conclusion

Damn good fun, but not recommended for someone who can actually fit in the boat, and who is not a newbie.