I bought this boat to try to get one of those boats that you can do just about anythng with, and I have been very impressed. Before even paddling it, I have to say it is one of the most comfortable boats I have sat in (although to their credit, I did get the connect 30 outfitting, which is uber-plush). My review will break into two parts to discuss its playboating and riverunning attributes.

Playboat: As a playboat, this boat plays surprisingly well. I thought when I bought a boat like this that I would give up some of my play-ability. Pyranha cleverly added the majority of the length on the boat off of the tail, rather than up front, so it throws down for cartwheels and loops exactly like a regular boat. You do however need pretty decent technique, as the softer edges on the boat require some precision to work with for the best effect. The only place where it isn't as usable as a spub boat is when you try to get the added length of the tail around in small features, which requires some better technique and careful placement. The boat is also heads and tails above spudboats for surfing due to its added length, but spins can require more effort due to the added tail length, again easily solvable with proper technique. The similarity between the rails on the Recoil and the 420 also account for the looseness of both boats. This boats feels like it is playing on a pillow everytime I stop to play.

River-running: As a riverunner, this boat is surprisingly fast. It is able to attain through features spudboats never could, and the bow is designed with enough of a point to it to allow it to cut through water rather than plow through, so it maintains its speed and tracks very well. It is the first playboat-esque boat I have paddled that can pull off a boof and keep going, as the added speed maintains the momentum of the boat off the boof. This is handy for clearing those bad features when going down river. The stern also has a fair amount of volume in it, as compared to most playboats which have slicey tails. While this makes it more challenging to do some play moves, it makes it a great deal more predictable for downriver use. I even made it a point to lean outside in eddyturns to try and trip up the tail, and the boat brushed that off. A very good quality for technical whitewater. It handles extremely well, and is very fast for its length. Because of its playboat hull and rails, a good lean goes a long way.

I would say however that this boat would be less safe for creeking than say a riverunner or creekboat due to its lack of volume and pointed front end. This will likely make it go deep off of drops, as well as make pitons harder. The shape is also one that would be more likely to hangup on rocks than a more dedicated river runner or creeker.

Overall the boat met every expectation I had for it, and is an excellent addition to my fleet. My goal was to have a boat I could take almost anywhere. This boat has allowed me to head out the door in the morning with no idea of what I was running, and still have the right boat for the job (Save the hardcore creeks, I still use my creeker for all that fun).