Pyranha Karnali and Molan reviews

[Lazer]

2010 Pyranha boat reviews

Here are some of my impressions regarding a couple 2010 Pyranha whitewater kayaks:

First, a little about me for relation to the reviews:

5’-11”, 175 lbs, size 11 shoe. Class IV boater that dabbles in some V, playboating consists of the standards: surfs, spins, cartwheels, loops, blunts, etc.

Creekboating Progression: New Wave Mongoose – Wavesport Descent – Pyranha Micro 240, M3(medium), Karnali(medium). Have also test paddled, Riot Sniper, Wavesport Habitat(74 and 80), Liquid Logic Jefe, Dagger Nomad 8.5, Jackson Hero, Pyranha Ammo(M) and original Burn(medium and large).

Playboating Progression: Dagger RPM - Wavesport Kinetic - Pyranha Attak, Inazone 230, Prozone 230, Sub 7(2-ball), S6(M), 420(M-L). Have test paddled many others including Dagger Ultrafuge, G-Force 6.1 – Wavesport X, Liquid Logic Session, Pop - Jackson Allstar(2nd and 3rd generation) – Bliss Stick Flip-Stick.


Pyranha Karnali

Main design purpose for river running and creeking. Does both very well. The Karnali took the softer displacement features from the M3 and the lines from the original Burn plus a reduction in rocker and a few tweeks. Bottom line is that this boat is stable, easy to roll, and has speed which you’ll really notice once it is in some current. I’ve paddled one for several months including runs on Beech Creek, Richland Creek(low to high flows), Galla Creek, Cossatot River, Norrell Spillway and the Ocoee River.

First adjustment I had to make coming from several years in the M3 is the turns, specifically eddies. The Karnali requires the use of the edge to turn. The longer waterline gives it good tracking and excellent speed, but if you try to mush it into an eddy without edge it won’t want to turn. But, put it on edge and it’ll snap in there with ease and conviction.

The next thing I noticed is the speed once it is the current, especially on a ferry. The boat will hold its line and zip across a ferry with minimal effort. The more rockered and blunt boats like the M3, Jefe, Habitat, etc. tend to want to turn faster and therefore take more effort to hold a line and get the speed needed for some moves. The Karnali is similar to the Nomad in both of these respects, but I think the Karnali is a little better in the speed department. This also is a benefit when punching through a hole. The boat carries the speed and holds its line and the reduced rocker and narrow bow allows the boat to slice through with less backender and lower chance of bow deflection which can often result in a side-surf and hole thrashing. Not to say it won’t happen in this boat if you don’t paddle hard (don’t ask me how I know…).

Although the Karnali is only 5 inches longer than the M3 (8-6’ vs 8-1) the bow visually appears much longer. I think it is an optical illusion due the deck shape being more tapered. It does seem to require a micro delay for the boof stroke, but once the timing is down, it will fly off the lip.

Outfitting and fit: The boat carries my weight and gear with plenty of volume to spare. Feels nimble on the water and doesn’t feel sluggish in the current. Fit is nice and comfy, pad up the bulkhead and adjust for your leg length, adjust the thighhooks, ratchet up the backband and your good to go. You may need to add or reduce foam on the hip pads to aid the fit. I usually add some foam on under the thighhooks for additional support under my knees.

The Pyranha seats can be moved forward or backward to adjust for your size, but it does require removal of the seat bolts to make the adjustment. Yes, other boats have quicker and easier ways to adjust seats, but with the seat boat system, it doesn’t slide on you in the middle of a rapid or critical move. The latest boats come with a threaded bottom plate instead of the lock nuts of previous boats. This makes the adjustment of the seats easy with just a screwdriver.

Although I’m happy with the Karnali, I’m hearing good things about the new 2010 Pyranha Burn . Looking forward to trying one out as well.


Pyranha Molan

Main purpose is for freestyle playboating and river playboating. I’ve only paddled it for a couple hours at Dierks with the frigid water temps limiting the time I wanted to stay upside down, but here are my first impressions.

The obvious, it looks very similar to the current 3rd generation Jackson Allstar. I’ve read posts stating that Pyranha recognized the positive aspects of the Allstar and worked to build on them. I think they have succeeded.

Like the current Allstar, the Molan is loose and fast. On a wave it is loose to allow for quick spins, but also is fast so that it will stay on the wave in a surf. Cartwheels are quick, be ready to swap ends rapidly with both boats. Didn’t work to much on blunts, but both are just aching to launch off the wave.

Air, both are made for loops and other aerial moves. Again, due to the water temps I only attempted a few. My first attempt caught too much green water resulting in a quick flip without lift. A later attempt resulted in descent lift and successful loop. The last attempt, it started to launch big but I threw forward a little too soon and stabbed the stern in the green preventing the full completion. It was enough to know that I want to get back in the 3rd hole with it when the water temps come up a tad.

Outfitting and fit: Although I need a little more time in both boats to fully compare their performance. The Molan’s outfitting, like other Pyranha boats is better in my opinion. First, it comes with a precut and marked foam foot block. Cut or shape the foot side of it for your legs/feet, peel the adhesive cover and stick it in. Nice and secure. I cut the first mark off the bulkhead and used it without the adhesive in a few minutes. I’d need to spend a little more time getting it ‘perfect’ but once in, it’s good and solid. I’m not a fan of the Happy Feet. Mainly because no matter how good the feel on your feet, The hold bag seems to move around and requires periodic adjustment.

The thighhooks easily adjust forward or back to fit and are aggressive enough to hold you in, but still allow for easy exit. Again, a little extra foam (included in the kit) can be added to the hull under the thighhook to add a little under knee support.

Backband is easily adjustable and uses the standard ratchet system on the thighhooks to adjust tension.

With the firm foot block, solid knee/thigh contact and tight backband, I was able to spin, flip, roll as one with the boat without needing to readjust to maintain contact.

The seat adjusts like the Karnali seat, see my comments above.

Bottom line, the Molan and Allstar are the boats to consider for today’s freestyle playboater. I’m looking forward to comparing them more directly to flush out the performance difference details, but initial impressions is the Molan edges out for my vote with the outfitting being the current tie-breaker.

[FarPastGone]

Great review Lance. I am really itching to get into a Molan.

Seems like, at least without testing one, you are right on that it has similar attributes to the All-Star with better outfitting (sorry Jackson fans).

It is going to take a lot to get me out of my Specialist, the main reason the new All-Star hasn't (well besides money) is because I don't feel as if I can get as tight as I want to be in the Jackson outfitting, think the Molan has a good shot though.

- Matt