Pyranha Z.One Whitewater Kayak Review
Pyranha seem’s to have been pretty busy this past year designing new boats. The Karnali and the Z.one are two notable designs that should be very popular. The Z.one is a recreation of the InaZone, which was one of the first (and best) free running kayaks of all time (in my opinion). In the words of team Pyranha member Dave Fusilli “the Z.one is faster than the InaZone, its more narrow, its longer, it has a little more edge, new better outfitting of course, and bad ass colors“. Looks like a comfortable, “do it all “Grand Canyon boat to me!
The Specs:
Large-In Stock!
|
Length
cm / ft |
Width
cm / ft |
Volume
Litres / US Gal. |
External Cockpit Length
cm / ft |
External Cockpit Width
cm / ft |
Weight
kg / lbs |
Suggested optimum load weight range
(inc. paddler) |
|
|
265cm
8′ 7″ |
68cm
26 ¾” |
262.8lts /
69 Gals |
90cm / 35.4″
|
48.8cm / 19.2″
|
17.9kgs / 39.4lbs
|
75 – 115kgs
|
165 – 253lbs
|
Medium-in Stock!
|
Length
cm / ft |
Width
cm / ft |
Volume
Litres / US Gal. |
External Cockpit Length
cm / ft |
External Cockpit Width
cm / ft |
Weight
kg / lbs |
Suggested optimum load weight range
(inc. paddler) |
|
|
257cm
8′ 4″* |
65cm
25 ½”* |
210lts / 56gals
|
90cm / 35.4″
|
47.5cm / 18.7″
|
17.1kgs /
37.6lbs |
65 – 95kgs
|
143 – 209lbs
|
More information on the small is coming soon!
It's a 4-Play/InaZone/RPM river running, squirting surf machine
This thing will hold a squirt from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek!
Pros:
Dave Fusilli’s a guy that know’s kayaking, and Pyranha boats better than me (and probably you too)….So I am going to let him do the narrative:
“The Z.one is going to be a great boat for those folks who want to go fast, surf, spin, and squirt. This boat has a very loose and forgiving hull. The overall width of the boat is a bit more narrow which adds some speed, makes carving easier and most important makes the boat easier to roll. If you are the type of kayaker who misses the speed of a longer boat or who gets bummed when you can’t catch that little glassy wave, there’s a good chance that the Z.one will pleasure your person.
“I took it down the upper Gauley a few times and had a blast in the bigger holes. It was as much fun as I have had in a playboat. I then got hurt at the Gauley (not kayaking) and I found myself paddling the Z.one a lot because I couldn’t really playboat or paddle hard rivers, but it was still fun for me to paddle the Z.one on easier rivers for the simple fact that I could go fast and flat spin with ease.“
Moose Fest 08 from jared seiler on Vimeo. Check out the Z.one footage at 1:56.
Planing hull and some edge
Cons:
It’s a pretty long boat so it might be tough to learn rodeo moves like cartwheeling. On the other hand, it will probably hold a stern squirt forever.
Nice edge for carving on big glassy waves
Roomy interior
The Verdict:
The Pyranha Z.one is going to be a great boat for all types of paddlers. Beginner and intermediates will like the ease of rolling and stable hull. They can think of it as a space age Dagger RPM with a planing hull, great outfitting and cool colors. Advanced boaters can surf glassy waves, and use the Z.one as a big water boat. I think that this is going to be a super choice for The Grand Canyon, The Main Salmon, Kennebec, Ottawa, Cross Mountain Gorge, ocean surfing and any river with powerful eddy lines, large surf waves and lot’s of water. The Z.one will be fast enough to make moves, punch across strong currents and tear apart shallow, fast waves. Click here to order one today!
Related posts:
Very helpful. I’m getting one!
Neil
UK
Let us know what you think!
I only saw the z.one once in that video!
Yea, the video was a bit general. Hopefully, we will get more good content on the Z.One in the near future.
Thanks,
CKS Admin
PLease can you help re/ the Zone’s suitability for a small framed female beginner who is starting WW. I tried the small this w/e and it seemed well…er um…small in the cockpit width. I couldnt get both legs out. SHould I get the medium? I am 52kg?
I mainly want to river run with some WW, maybe surf but no tricks. I really want the One boat that can give me confidence on river trips. IS this the one?
Nix
If you got a Medium you would have more volume which would help with downriver paddling. The boat would have more room in the cockpit area too. The Zone is a great learning boat that surfs REALLY well. If you want to primarily paddle downriver, and have fun surfing and squirting, this is a great choice. Think of it as a really high tech Dagger RPM.
Definitely try the medium.
Looking at the zone for speed and tricks, I have a burn and a rpm max. My thought is I want more speed than the burn, it seems slow compared to the rpm.
My problem is weight for the rpm, I’m 235lb. I think I’m to heavy for this boat.
So can you point out some boats like the zone to compare pro-con of each.
At 235 I think that you could still paddle the Large Zone. How tall are you?
Other boats to look at would be the:
Liquid Logic CR250-Great flat bottomed river runner that can play with the best of them. The 250 can handle larger paddlers no problem.
Jackson SuperFun-A bit slower than the Zone, but you paddle class IV in it and play. You will fit in this boat for sure.
WaveSport Fuse 64. This boat is similar to the Fun and CR. It is a great hybrid of river runner and play boat. Again, it will be slower than the Zone, but more playful.
Those are the boats that come to mind.
I’m 6′4″ and weigh 170 pounds. I don’t think I could fit in the medium z.one without taking out the foot brace setup. (My legs are long) Do you think this would be a good option, instead of trying the large version?
You would want to be in the Large Z.One for sure. At 6′4″ You would have some really cramped feet in the Medium. If you were going to try to squeeze into the Medium, sit in one first before you order it. Taking the foot brace out is another option, and could buy you some more foot room. Trouble is, if you have big feet, they will be cramped up in the front of the boat, and that will not be very comfortable.
The Large is also about 10 gallons larger, which may be better for river running. If you are looking for something that you can squirt and throw around, you could check out the New Jackson Super Fun’s or 4 Fun’s when they come out. You will fit in them no problem, and they are slicier.
Thanks for reading,
Admin
Hi I am 5 ft 5 and (female)and 115pounds! A beginner in a club and learning fast, past my BCU 2 star in UK…..need my one and only boat. Is the Z one, the One?!
If you are a beginner and are learning quickly I think that this cold be a great boat! Once you get into surfing you will love it even more!
Thanks!! Have just tried it, the small, and was insecure about the small cockpit. I couldnt get both knees out at all. Am worried about the safety aspect in a pin, or just capsize. It did feel like a glove though when paddling and I bet it rolls like a ball! AAgh what to do?? I tried it against the Dagger XT which was much more roomy, and volumous…..but maybe like an old skoda? I feel like I would need the Zone medium for space but not for my weight. It starts at 65kg and I am 53kg.
Can anyone throw any more opinions into the pot? The width of the cockpit is cited as being reasonable but the knee rests and pads come into that width by about 15 cm. Its unbelievably comfortable, but ??safe for emergency exit?? Dont know, do you?
Cheers!
Nix
I’m looking to purchase, but I am 6′4 and 190 with a 34/35 inch waist. Wondering if you think the large would work for me? I have kayaked before. But its been a while. How easy is it to do a wet exit as some have expressed difficulty?
Thanks!
Yea, the Large would work best. If you have the boat outfitted properly (not excessively padded out), and also have good form (roll out in a ball, and not stretch your legs) a wet exit in that boat should not be a problem. Practice in a pool or flat water a few times, and then the real deal will be that much easier.
Also, you can paddle a few times with the hip pads extra loose(minus a few shims), and the foot pegs up a little farther (more towards the bow). This will give you a looser fit in the boat, and make it easier to get out. Once you get it down, get tighter in the boat.
Hello,
I’m 5′11″ 185# and use to paddle a 230 inazone. Performance wise it was a great boat but uncomfortable for any length of time. Would I be better off in a Large Z.One and if so would I note any performance handicap ? (All I want to do is front or back surf with some flat spins.)
Thanks,
Mike
Yea, you may like the Z.One better. It is a bit longer than the ina-zone’s and will be faster. It will also be more comfortable. It has newer, better outfitting, and a looser hull. The only performance handicap would be int he world of vertical moves. The Ina Zones were pretty easy to squirt and cartwheel. This is not the case for the Z.One. It is harder to squirt and cartwheel.