I did find I paddle the Antix 2.0 much flatter than more displacement style boats. This however equates to much better PRIMARY STABILITY than other half slice boats, and, for boofing etc we had no issue getting the boat on edge for moves like that. The width I was worried about does make it feel a little harder and 'choppier' to put on edge than a more displacement style boat like the Rewind.You won't however be instantly transformed in to Clay Wright or Dane Jackson stern squirting all over the river. If you can't stern squirt now, this is a great boat to learn this fun skill in. This DOESNT MEAN there is no technique required. Stern Squirts are as easy as any modern kayak.Stern dip turns, flat boat turns, all happened effortlessly and very quickly. Although the Antix 2.0 didn't carry speed as far or long as the 9' half slice boats, it was fast enough and, the upside is it turns on a dime.However, once up to speed in and across the current, the boat feels really zippy, accelerates and planes through boils really well. The boat doesn't initially feel fast, flatwater speed and acceleration (for me) felt sluggish compared to say a Rewind.This stability for average Class II/III paddlers opens up a forgiving option in the half slice category. Yes Dane Jackson can paddle the Green at 200% in it, he could do that in a cardboard box I'm sure. I love the Rewind and like the Ripper, the differences in the two are noticeable, though kind of subtle, the Antix 2.0 felt like a totally different boat, and from our testing crew, we agreed almost an entirely DIFFERENT CATEGORY of boat than half slice boats to date. From the instant of putting it on the water I could feel a polarizing difference from other half slice boats that I have paddled. I went in to my first paddle in the Antix 2.0 ready to compare it to the standard 9' half slice boat options, this, as it turns out was an incorrect assumption. My old school brain wondered how this boat could possibly be fast.
The Bow and Stern Rocker was ultra noticeable, the actual water line on the boat is really short.The boat felt pretty wide around the hips, not something I am a huge fan of and was a bit of a surprise.Unlike the previous Antix, I didn't feel as though I needed to be a yoga instructor to comfortably sit in it. The main differences I noticed UPON UNWRAPPING & SITTING IN THE BOAT ON DRYLAND first time were: Even with this in mind I was pretty stoked to get it on the water. So many times new products get loads of hype, only to fall flat in the performance department. I definitely went into paddling the Antix 2.0 a little guarded. Photo: Brandon Willms testing the Stern 'squirtability' of the Antix 2.0 Medium FIRST THOUGHTS
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