About myself

First off, I am tall and skinny, so it is difficult for me to find boats that fit both my hight and weight requirements. I am a green, but solid, class IV boater. I have been boating for about 4 months and this was the bargain that got me into the sport.

About the test environment

I have paddled the Y on a variety of class (III)-(IV+) creeks in the Adirondack Mts.: AuSable R. (class III wavetrains and holes. A few technical rapids requiring eddy hopping to boat scout), Otter Cr. (pool-drop class IV), Independence R. (Long! class IV+ slide with multiple doors yealding varying features from undercut sidewalls to munchy hole boofs), Saranac R. (class III slalom at the level I saw it at), Grass R. (class IV pool drop with some really fun features but too much flat water in between).

Review

With my height and weight in mind, this was an extremely comfortable boat. This is the first boat I have been in that I did not need to slide the seat back in. It has pretty basic, but comfortable outfitting that is easy to customize to all body types.
It has extremely responsive edges, which make manuverability and eddy hopping a dream. It is a little sluggish on the flat water but is a tank plowingn through holes. I had previusly borrowing an Eskimo Salto (see my review), and had a much better time with the Y. Again, much of this may have to do with the way that I fit into the boat (definately see my Salto review). I found that it was much more responsive edge to edge and was more agressive when it needed to be. It rolls extremely easily.

Conclusion

From my experience this is a very enjoyable boat and is very afordable and easy to find. Probably a good choice for somebody breaking into the sport on a dime.