Dagger Kingpin 6.2 Review

by cynthiamchale

In August I FINALLY picked up a new boat for myself at Western Canoeing & Kayaking.  After many years of paddling and loving my Wavesport EZG 42 it was time to part with it.  I had been thinking about a new boat since August of 08, but having paddled the EZG for so long I was nervous, maybe even scared to get acquainted with a new boat.

I looked at many boats and considered quite a few different options – working in a paddling shop I had lots to choose from and tonnes of demo boats at my disposal.  Despite all this people kept suggesting the Dagger Kingpin. The final punch for the Kingpin was when I went to Mexico last winter one of our guides suggested it.  I took her suggestion to heart and decided to check it out.

Me in my Kingpin waiting in the eddy at Tamihi Micro-wave

I was looking for something a little more playful that would surf well but still be friendly. I also wanted something with a little more volume.  Initially I looked at the Kingpin 6.1 and even went so far as to borrow one for a little while to see if I liked it. I was a little close to the end of the weight range and found myself catching edges and hangn’ out with the fish a little more often than I liked. However I could tell from the way the boat handled that in the right size I would really enjoy it.

In August Western got a shipment of 6.2′s and I finally decided to bite the bullet and buy one. Boy am I ever glad I did. I don’t know why I held on to that EZG for so long! I instantly found the Kingpin to be a very friendly boat to paddle. It rolls super easily which I was very pleased with, and it’s so easy to catch a surf. It used to be that we’d go out to park and play at one of the local waves and I would find myself hangn’ out in the eddy for most of the evening.  A lot of it was just me being timid, but I also felt like I worked so hard and rarely caught the wave. I know that some of this just comes with experience, but with the Kingpin I found myself actually catching the waves when I tried, which makes trying so much more appealing.  It also feels super stable so I can hang out on the wave and work on carving and edging without feeling like if I lean too far one way or the other I will instantly end up upside down.  Ultimately it is very forgiving both on and off the wave which makes trying new things a little bit easier.

Surfing Micro-wave in the Kingpin

The Kingpin maneuvers very easily, I find myself happily snaking my way through rapids and catching surfs here and there. I also find myself much more comfortable.  For a boat that is considered a full “play boat” it’s very user-friendly. Not at all edgy, easy to roll, and did I mention that it surfs well? This has become my regular river running boat for most of the season, and as of yet I haven’t found myself wishing for a better river runner. I actually find this boat to be friendlier than the EZG ever was – even in my earlier days. I would recommend this boat to anyone looking for an entry-level play boat, or even just a boat they’re going to use for most of their paddling life. I love this boat, and only wish I had picked it up sooner. Thanks to Anna Levesque for a great recommendation, I probably wouldn’t have given it much thought otherwise.

Paddling Tamihi in the Kingpin