Description
The Zet Raptor creekboat / creek boat
about the most bombproof creekboat in existence
Three people came together to design the new Zet Raptor creekboat – an extreme kayaker, an international slalom paddler and a plastics expert. Each has had their influence in creating a kayak the creekboating community have been waiting a long time for.
These are some of the unique features of the Zet Raptor
Displacement hull with just enough edge
Planing/semi-planing hulls are a complete waste of time on creekboats and hard edges tend to get in the way on slides. The Zet Raptor creek boat has a displacement hull that is stable and easy to roll but has just enough edge to help you carve into tight eddies
Fast hull with a nice amount of rocker
A lot of the faster creekboats are great downhill but don’t turn fast enough. The Raptor achieves both which is why it has been winning so many European creekboat races this summer. Take Note: Next time you’re with a bunch of mates going down something narrow, if you’re in a Raptor, make sure you’re at the front.
Variable hull thickness – Zelezny Technology – Zet Kayaks
The Raptor is the only white water kayak ever to have variable thickness plastic. Basically it is thicker in the hull and sides, to take impacts, and thinner on the front and rear decks. The result is you get the strongest kayak for the least weight. The Raptor weights 19kg but is as strong as one weighing 24kg.
303L volume but it feels like about 250L when you sit in it
The Raptor has a lot of volume which is great for keeping you afloat in big, white water but some of that volume has been shifted to the rear. This makes her stable on bouncy water but she can feel a little different to other kayaks at first. The seats are set fully to the rear at the factory, give it a paddle in this position before you move it.
No holes drilled around the cockpit
Why do kayak manufacturers insist on drilling holes around cockpits? Don’t they realise all those nuts and bolts eventually work loose and start leaking and that it’s a real pain in the a**e tightening them up the whole time? The Zet Raptor has no holes drilled around the cockpit.
Front and rear buoyancy retention pillars
Serious creekers will love the fact that the front and rear buoyancy blocks are retained by a plastic pillar. So they cannot move out of position. The front also gives you somewhere to stick your drink.
Robust seating
We’re aware that some other manufacturers’ outfitting looks better than ours. But our seat is made from a solid moulded closed cell foam which has the following advantages: It does not have a spongy pad on top – so it’s not like sitting in a puddle. It doesn’t fall apart. And it keeps your bum warm when you’re paddling.
No DVT risk
Do you ever get sore legs after a day’s paddling? If you do it is a symptom of restricted blood flow caused by pressure from hard plastic seats (even with padding). The potential health risk is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). The Raptor’s foam seat does not restrict bloowflow to the legs. Paddlers who typically get these leg pains in other boats do not get them in Raptors.
The Zet Raptor Creekboat in numbers
Length: 255cm, (8ft 5in)
Width: 68cm, (2ft, 3in)
Volume: 303litres, (80 gallons)
Cockpit Size: 91cm x 51cm, (3ft x 1ft 8in)
Paddler weight: 65 – 120kg, (10st – 19st)
Weight of boat: 19kg, (42 lbs)
Strong points: 5 (2 on the bow, 3 on the stern)
FREE SET OF PEAK AIRBAGS WITH EVERY ZET KAYAK.
John –
Cracking boat, great price
The raptor has been on the UK paddling scene for quite a few years now and has certainly stood the test of time in terms of popularity and endurance. I’m absolutely delighted to finally have one of my own. For the asking price I think anyone would be hard pressed indeed to find a better alternative. Thanks Northeast Kayaks and Paddles who were happy to answer any queries with courteous, professional and fast customer service.
Sean –
Great all round boat
The zet raptor is a amazing boat for all aspects of white water kayaking it works well in big water and also is the lower grades it has the volume that you need for big creaking and also the sharp edges and hull for some nice surfing on waves and holes, designed by slalom paddlers so it’s really responsive breaking in and out of eddies and the round hull makes it a dream to roll, also the plastic is so tough you’ll not be afraid of it cracking!!! Inside it has the foam seat which looks quite basic but means it’s just as simple as jumping in and cranking the ratchets and your good to go!, if you buy any zet you’ll not be disappointed!