got demo one of these (probably the same boat tbh) monday and have never had more fun in a kayak. Coming from a medium firecracker and a large ripper 2 it felt like it fell right in the middle of them, but surfed way better. I really liked how well the tail loaded, but never felt grabby like the ripper 2 does at times. Its so loose on a wave and really confidence inspiring when you make a fucky-wucky that I only ever found myself rolling when surfing in flipper. I did find it interesting that you thought the ripper 2 was more playful, as I found the machete to be WAY easier to get the tail down on than the large ripper 2 Im going to end up buying one in the next few weeks, but am a little apprehensive about the durability of the plastics as it seems like I see a lot of broken lettmann boats in comparison to how many there are on the water. That being said, the amount of fun I had with it far outweighs my concerns on durability, so time will tell in that regard!
Yes it’s a really good river running half slice and when I said ripper 2 more playful I’m compared it to the ripper 2 medium not the large is definitely closer to the medium then the Larger one I agree the ripper 2 L is not a playful at the machete but the ripper 2 M smokes it in a stern play but the machete is a really good option for a all rounder half slice
Thank you for all videos, very good, a question, which do you prefer between the Machette 65and cush? I have 72 kg, will be my first slice boat, or another slice boat? Thank you
Last summer I had a quick demo in the 65 at around 65kg. And I found it very playful on the stern and easy to get down. While surfing I found that the boat really wanted to turn and spin around which is not a bad thing but i found that remarkable. And like you said its something different and nothing like I have ever paddled before. I did really like it but I would rather use it to play on my local runs, I wouldn't be so quick to use it for steep creecking or high volume, as I would do it faster in a Rewind or another halfslice.
Hey Wade, how well does it wave spin? Looked pretty loose in your clip, but that triheadral hull doesn't have that flat flat plaining surface and stepped chine I would normally be looking for wave performance.
@@WadeHarrison Thanks for that, yeah in general it looks like it's got more bob than glide, but all that stern rocker what you gonna do? It's not easy getting boats down here in New Zealand at the moment, 6-9 month wait and the selection is getting pretty thin. Was hoping for a Spade Joker, but we aren't getting any this spring, so it's either this, or a ripper 2 (or a sweet ride if I can work out some mad expensive direct import air freight deal with Shane). The dagger importer us a 🍆 so rewinds off the menu.
interesting, i have the 65 and it is verrrry playful I'm around (75kg) and it loves to talee. would have to agree that its like nothing else though, would 1000% recommend one to anyone thinking about buying one :)
@@anthonymunoz6242 I'm just 6'0 and I fit quite nicely, there is a decent amount of room left to adjust so I would say you would probably fit in it too, but when I demo'd the two sizes before buying the 85 felt much bigger so I would say yes you would fit in it but demo both sizes before buying as they as quite different. :)
What's up man! Is that the 65? I have the 85 and love it. It's playful enough and also comfy and it probably has higher new braces. I too really like the pivot point. I wish it had more of a step down chine but I think the edges are pretty forgiving the way they are. As always great video! If you come out to CO again you can try my 85.
This is the 85 my buddy Matt just picked up the 65 I have not paddled it yet but sit in it and feels good and im with you on the edge is little to high out the water i also would like to see it dropped slightly
I finally got to try a Ripper 2 medium, the Goat, and the Exo Slalom S. I've yet to try the Machete, but will try to do so this weekend. I'm 65kg, and I still found the Ripper 2 easy to zip around in and to tailie, even though I'm at the bottom of its weight. The Exo Slalom S wasn't that tail playful, but by god is it fast and it really carries its speed as well! It rode over holes crazily well. Goat, hated it. I just couldn't get on with it at all. Sooo, my question is, you compare the Machete to the Goat a lot, but how would you say it fits in next to the Ripper 2? I keep hearing from people that the Machete doesn't really like front surfing, so that's putting me off a little. Really tough choosing a half slice that does it all at my weight.
I heard that the drain plug is German engineered and physics has chosen its location. It leaves the perfect amount of water in the cockpit for optimal stern play😉
I have that on my list to make I have a slightly different approach then most because I paddle a wide variety of kayaks so I will put something together soon
Great boat I love the design. Shitty outfitting though, really lets it down. Knee braces are very very average and the seat has to much movement , and both pillars are quite loose.
I got one of these a few weeks ago. I’m finding it very capable and stable for a half-slice. It likes big water too. This is yesterday’s run in i: th-cam.com/video/AjX22cHNCQI/w-d-xo.html
![The Wall Song ร้องข้ามกำแพง | EP.215 | พาเวล นเรศ - พูห์ กฤติน | 17 ต.ค. 67 [1/5]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IUzrjuf60P4/mqdefault.jpg)
@Wade - The amount of giggles you have in lettmann boats is amazing. I sure this is the biggest selling point.
It was preforming very well to my paddling i love it when get to paddle something very different
Yeah buddy! So stoked for this to finally line up!
Yeah buddy I think these are different from what else is offered so should do well…
Gotta have one of those...Have not seen a boat perform like that in 45 years of boating........where its at!.....no gimmicks
yeah, I know this river very well, but this boat seemed to do extremely good here
Great on water review!! Damn.. you are such a BEAST on the water.. I always enjoy watching you out there.. & that back loop?! What?! 😝
Definitely got a Surprise I got a couple back loops in this one..
got demo one of these (probably the same boat tbh) monday and have never had more fun in a kayak. Coming from a medium firecracker and a large ripper 2 it felt like it fell right in the middle of them, but surfed way better. I really liked how well the tail loaded, but never felt grabby like the ripper 2 does at times. Its so loose on a wave and really confidence inspiring when you make a fucky-wucky that I only ever found myself rolling when surfing in flipper. I did find it interesting that you thought the ripper 2 was more playful, as I found the machete to be WAY easier to get the tail down on than the large ripper 2
Im going to end up buying one in the next few weeks, but am a little apprehensive about the durability of the plastics as it seems like I see a lot of broken lettmann boats in comparison to how many there are on the water. That being said, the amount of fun I had with it far outweighs my concerns on durability, so time will tell in that regard!
Yes it’s a really good river running half slice and when I said ripper 2 more playful I’m compared it to the ripper 2 medium not the large is definitely closer to the medium then the Larger one I agree the ripper 2 L is not a playful at the machete but the ripper 2 M smokes it in a stern play but the machete is a really good option for a all rounder half slice
Any different thoughts after paddling it a bit more now? I got one the other day and love it. Stern is definitely playful
I still like it a lot
Thank you for all videos, very good, a question, which do you prefer between the Machette 65and cush? I have 72 kg, will be my first slice boat, or another slice boat? Thank you
I have never paddled the Kush they have not made it over usa yet but look good
Last summer I had a quick demo in the 65 at around 65kg. And I found it very playful on the stern and easy to get down. While surfing I found that the boat really wanted to turn and spin around which is not a bad thing but i found that remarkable. And like you said its something different and nothing like I have ever paddled before. I did really like it but I would rather use it to play on my local runs, I wouldn't be so quick to use it for steep creecking or high volume, as I would do it faster in a Rewind or another halfslice.
I feel in the 85 I would take it down stouter runs but nothing crazy and thanks for the feedback
@@WadeHarrison yea but I'm way too light for the 85. It does look a lot bigger.
@@kamielkayak4088 it will be more of a true river running boat at lower weight
Hey Wade, how well does it wave spin? Looked pretty loose in your clip, but that triheadral hull doesn't have that flat flat plaining surface and stepped chine I would normally be looking for wave performance.
Very good spins but not so much surfing because of that rocker
@@WadeHarrison Thanks for that, yeah in general it looks like it's got more bob than glide, but all that stern rocker what you gonna do? It's not easy getting boats down here in New Zealand at the moment, 6-9 month wait and the selection is getting pretty thin. Was hoping for a Spade Joker, but we aren't getting any this spring, so it's either this, or a ripper 2 (or a sweet ride if I can work out some mad expensive direct import air freight deal with Shane). The dagger importer us a 🍆 so rewinds off the menu.
If you had to choose between this boat, Zet Ninja, and LL Powerslide, which is the best one for it's design and why?
They are all so different tough to say but big water I do powerslide overall half slice this one and all round creeker ninja
@@WadeHarrison okay, thanks. How about Powerslide vs large Antix 2.0? Large Rewind vs Powerslide?
Looks like more fun than the Pike
Definitely better then the pike
interesting, i have the 65 and it is verrrry playful I'm around (75kg) and it loves to talee. would have to agree that its like nothing else though, would 1000% recommend one to anyone thinking about buying one :)
Awesome thanks for feedback
I weigh the same as you (77kg), but I've got loooong legs for my height (186cm, 6'1). How much space there is in the 65?
Thanks!
@@anthonymunoz6242 I'm just 6'0 and I fit quite nicely, there is a decent amount of room left to adjust so I would say you would probably fit in it too, but when I demo'd the two sizes before buying the 85 felt much bigger so I would say yes you would fit in it but demo both sizes before buying as they as quite different. :)
@@joewhatcott7824 thanks! Unfortunately they are not available for demo in Quebec, Canada. I'll think about it. Thanks again!
What's up man! Is that the 65? I have the 85 and love it. It's playful enough and also comfy and it probably has higher new braces. I too really like the pivot point. I wish it had more of a step down chine but I think the edges are pretty forgiving the way they are. As always great video! If you come out to CO again you can try my 85.
This is the 85 my buddy Matt just picked up the 65 I have not paddled it yet but sit in it and feels good and im with you on the edge is little to high out the water i also would like to see it dropped slightly
Hey budroh 🤘
Nice to watch! Sick loops
That’s buddy
Hey Wade, what do you prefer for river running and play... the 85 or Ripper 2 Large? and why.
Ripper 2 L it’s just has the edges to carve and the bow goes up over things better
@@WadeHarrison Appreciate it mate👍
@@paddlepaddlepaddle8147 for sure buddy
I finally got to try a Ripper 2 medium, the Goat, and the Exo Slalom S. I've yet to try the Machete, but will try to do so this weekend. I'm 65kg, and I still found the Ripper 2 easy to zip around in and to tailie, even though I'm at the bottom of its weight. The Exo Slalom S wasn't that tail playful, but by god is it fast and it really carries its speed as well! It rode over holes crazily well. Goat, hated it. I just couldn't get on with it at all.
Sooo, my question is, you compare the Machete to the Goat a lot, but how would you say it fits in next to the Ripper 2? I keep hearing from people that the Machete doesn't really like front surfing, so that's putting me off a little. Really tough choosing a half slice that does it all at my weight.
True it doesn’t like surfing because the high tail rocker the rip 2 I think is a better halfslice the machete is good but not great the rip 2 is great
nice video! Can't wait to get that 65 out!
Few more days..
That drain plug is the best!!!
You and the guy at the factory that insisted on it are like the only ones in the world that like it 😂
Is that really what they said?
@@Shredchef I have no idea I was just disagreeing
Hello,
You can compare that one with steez)
Is it big difference between them?
I will see if can do that
@@WadeHarrison
I mean, what about fellings, machete good for big volume like steez?
@@Alex_onetwo-o3v oh the steeze feels way bigger then this one. I would say this 85 is a true medium size
I heard that the drain plug is German engineered and physics has chosen its location. It leaves the perfect amount of water in the cockpit for optimal stern play😉
😂 perfect sales pitch love it!
@@WadeHarrison wonder if the amount if water adjusts to paddlers weight.
do you have a how to video for flatwater stern stall?
I have that on my list to make I have a slightly different approach then most because I paddle a wide variety of kayaks so I will put something together soon
Great boat I love the design. Shitty outfitting though, really lets it down. Knee braces are very very average and the seat has to much movement , and both pillars are quite loose.
Agree they could have spent a little more time on that outfitting
I got one of these a few weeks ago. I’m finding it very capable and stable for a half-slice. It likes big water too. This is yesterday’s run in i:
th-cam.com/video/AjX22cHNCQI/w-d-xo.html
nice under tunnel tail ride! that course looks fun