Trickster Pics and Review

It has been a little over a week since I picked up my new Trickster from Don Hege, owner of Whitewater Destinations. I have to admit that at first I was a little worried that my 215lb frame would be too big for the Trickster. Let's just say that I was pleasantly suprised. I have found it to be at least as comfortable as a Disco and except for a little less foot room, more comfortable than my Glide. The D3 seat has been improved since it appeared in the Disco and Grind and the Bomber Gear backband is very nice. The new stickers and graphic plates look very cool (They don't show up very well in these pics but they are very nice looking when you see them in person.)

Comfort:

Like I said at least as comfortable as the Disco and a little more comfortable than the Slice/Glide. The lack of a center wall provides ton's of leg and foot room. If you haven't checked out a D3 seat, it allows you to raise/lower the seat as well as to move it forward and back with a simple twist of an allen wrench.

Performance:

The Trickster is very loose on a wave and slices through the water effortlessly for endless cartwheels. Although I haven't had it on a wave that is big enough to blunt on yet, they should come very easily. I would consider 225 to be the max weight for the Trickster as I weigh 215 and the boat's ends are right on the surface of the water much like a squirt boat. The Trickster is very easy to cartwheel/flatwheel and lies somewhere between a Disco and a Slice. At my weight (215) it is pretty retentive, especially when you start getting it dialed in. It is more flushy than the Slice/Glide but way more retentive than the Disco was for me. One thing that makes the Trickster much better than the Glide/Slice in my opinion is it's lack of hard edges. I found that in the Glide, when I started throwing ends on my right, it was very hard to get off of that edge and make the transition to my left and vice-versa. The Trixster's lack of hard edges makes this transition very easy which in turn makes the Trickster very easy to splitwheel. It alsorotates slower than the Disco when hucking ends and doesn't have the tendency to "outrun" you like the Disco sometimes does.

River Running:

I haven't had it out on the river much yet, but it's soft edges should make it an excellent river-runner/playboat for say thouse under 190 pounds and more of a Park and Play with some river running capabilities for those over 200.

All in all, I would have to say that the Trickster is quickly becoming my favorite boat on the market. It is ideal for anyone who wants the speed, river running capabilites, and predicability of the Glide/Slice but also wants the forgiving nature and ability to throw down in a mud puddle that the Disco gives you. It is much more stable and forgiving than the previous Riot designs, other than the Disco. Before you buy a new boat this season, take a long look at the Trickster. If you have any questions or live near Sw Virgina and want to try out mine, drop me an email at [email protected] or if you live near Winston Salem, NC and want to demo one or are interested in purchasing one, or a Pyrannah/BlissStick/Necky email Don Hege, owner of Whitewater Destinations, at [email protected] or call 336-764-5008