B O A T i N s i D e r
Biscuit ‘n’ gravy.
Photo scott MacgRegoR
tricks For treats
LIQUIDLOGIC’S BISCUIT REWARDS PLAYBOATERS WHO WON’T LIE DOWN AND ROLL OVER
IT MAY NOT BE PURELY CHANCE that Liquidlog- like butter in a hot frying pan, but Benedict cautions, Playing with the Biscuit around the Ottawa,
ic’s highly anticipated, latest playboat is this year’s “The problem with adding a ton of spin surface is we’d say it’s best suited to ambitious intermediate
only fresh freestyle design. Chalk it up to clever that you can start to make the boat boxy feeling paddlers looking to amp up their game—espe-
marketing, a keen sense of timing, a fresh remix [because it gets too wide] or twitchy [because de- cially their aerial tricks—on smaller and mid-size
of winning ingredients, or all three, but this time signers can’t use much flare on a super-wide hull, waves. Get it on anything bigger like Bus Eater
Liquidlogic has pulled from their ovens a sweet and flare is what typically provides secondary sta- and it takes time to learn how to harness the flighty
playboat—the Biscuit. bility]—that’s where the bumper comes in.” Biscuit. It responds best when paddled aggres-
While other boat companies rest on one, two The bumper is likely the first thing you’ll notice sively—let out too much leash and you’ll be hang-
and three-year-old freestyle hits, pinching devel- about the Biscuit—it’s quite unique. A modest ing on for dear life.
opment pennies and waiting out this year’s eco- bulge that wraps all the way around the trim, little If Benedict’s design sword wasn’t at its sharpest
nomic slowdown, Liquidlogic has seized a perfect boat’s waterline, Benedict says the bumper allows with the Ronin, his latest creation is cutting edge.
comeback opportunity. With a string of forgettable for a synergy of two disparate traits: a super loose If that is not enough, one look at the plush Liq-
designs stretching back six years—culminating hull and a forgiving ride. While the generous plan- uidlogic Bad Ass wall-to-wall carpet outfitting and
most recently in the coolly received Ronin—the ing surface maximizes looseness, the bumper’s fully foamed foot box—or Cone of Comfort—and
Biscuit needed to make a big splash. extra width creates space for a second chine to you’ll be convinced that it’s finally time to trade up
Borrowing hull design and rocker profile ele- temper the transition between hard carving edge your six-year-old Space Cadet. —VM
ments from Liquidlogic’s much loved and not and sidewall, producing a more forgiving ride.
forgotten 2003 Space Cadet series, the Biscuit Above the bumper, the sidewalls squeeze back
embodies all the best attributes of these classic together so the paddler’s legs are in a more up-
boats while adding cleaner edges and armchair right and comfortable position.
comfort. Designer Shane Benedict says the key Like the Space Cadet, the Biscuit flies above
liQuiDlOGiC BisCuit
features of the Biscuits are a larger spin surface, a wave with the same alacrity it shows for spin- LENGTH .................................5’11”/6’1”/6’3”
the distinctive “bumper” (more on that in a mo- ning down the face. As eagerly airborne as the
WIDTH ...................................... 24”/25”/ 26”
ment) and slicier, broadened ends. Frisbee dog it was named after (yes, Benedict
VOLUME ............................45/55/65 US Gal
While Benedict’s previous freestyle designs re- named the boat after his hyper-energetic mutt),
lied on a spin disc—a very distinct planing surface the Biscuit jumps huge and lands on its feet. The
WEIGHT ................................... 30/32/34 lbs
on which the hull spins—the Biscuit’s planing area boat’s lazy acceleration on edge is not really an
PADDLER .... 100–160/140–200/180–240 lbs
is larger and less defined. A larger planing surface issue as it can be thrown from pretty much any-
PRICE ......................$1,049 US/$1,149 Cdn
means the hull slips and spins down a wave face where without carving. liquidlogickayaks.com
6 Rapid summer/fall 2009
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