1. Like many other who categorize themselves as “multi-sport” money only goes so far, and I am looking at the best all around boat compromise to do both adventure racing and some of the longer races (TX Water Safari, Watertribe Challenge races, etc).



Answer: The Vector was built with multi-sport in mind. We wanted to see if we could integrate some things to make a boat less use-specific and expand its safety and usefulness in different waters, like on rivers, for instance. I think this was achieved with things like a stern-mounted rudder option. (We just created the deck features that allow cable extensions all the way to the stern’s tip, and a “rudder pin shelf” right at the stern, for a drop-in rudder system like the Feathercraft. This way, on a potentially shallow river, you can run the kick-up rudder and not worry about it.

Comfort-wise, the Vector is as comfy as any cockpit out there, especially after Sterling modified the footwell after the first boat came out of the mold. It was originally too narrow, so he widened it by two inches, and has just finished the foot-pedal system out of aluminum plate stock that is absolutely bullet-proof – and adjustable! The seat is similar to the V10 seat, which I felt was the best fit out there (and my 5’6” wife agrees.)

Personally, I couldn’t do an ultra in a Surfski of any design. I need more leg movement over the hours than any Surfski allows, but the Vector would be the closest to working for me. I’ve done about 6 or 7 hours in a V10 without too much discomfort too, but to be competitive in an ultra I need a closed cockpit with a bulkhead-style pedal system so I can steer with an infinite number of different foot and leg positions. Heather has found the West Side Kayak’s Thunderbolt to be her favorite closed cockpit, high performance kayak for ultras.

Other bonuses for the Vector as a multi-sport boat are the two hatches (standard), deck lines and deck bungees, leash attachment point… all standard and installed during construction so fittings are sealed from the underside (read: point-loading can be accounted for and reinforced accordingly, compared to when you retro-install deck fittings and allow for expansion devices that don’t spread the load nearly as well).

Finally, for a race like the TWS where you’ve got portages, etc., the Vector would be a good choice for its construction and durability. Sterling’s coring techniques allow for a sub-30 pound finished weight (typically) but with high-durability materials like E-glass, S-glass and Svertex or Sorak core. (Stay away from Divinycell core for a multi-sport boat – you WILL be shelling out the repair bucks!)

Oh, one more thing: the Vector is not a small person’s boat. I don’t know your size, but if you’re under 5’10 or so, I think it’d be too big for you.

2. Lots of surfski products out there from Fenn to Huki to Think, etc. I have paddled one old ski and absolutely love it. Would like to move to one.



Answer: I’d look at the Vector, the Epic V10 and V10 Sport, the Think Evo, and the Huki S1-X Special. Think is also allegedly coming out with a new racing design called the Fly, that might be worth seeing before you commit to anything. They’re making NICE boats.



Go fiberglass, no matter which boat you get. You’ll pay less up front and you won’t pay for constant repairs along its lifetime. And the little bit of extra weight means nothing when you’re hauling an ultra-racer’s load of supplies.

3. The most subjective question of them all….if you could have just one boat, which one would it be and why (with respect to design, storage, stability, speed, safety in big water, etc).



Answer: Boats come and go, Ben. As much as I love some particular boats I’ve had over the years, my relationship with whatever boat I’m paddling is a very fluid one. Right now I love the Vector. Before I had it, I loved the V10 standard. I’d raced the Huki Special a few times and loved that. Whatever boat you get, figure out the features you need for ultra (like hatches, leash attachment, deck bungees, etc.), and get them built into the boat during construction. Stick with fiberglass instead of high-tech, high-dollar composites. Get a high-visibility gel coat color. Also, think comfort, stroke efficiency, safety, speed, and purpose. Where do you paddle, what type of paddling do you do (flatwater, river, ocean, tide rips?) Georgia has a bit of everything!

See you out on the water, Ben. Good luck.

Brandon and Heather