Bliss-Stick boat specifications

WakaWai is the new East Coast Distributor for Bliss-Stick Designs starting in 2009!

Here is a helpful list of the specs needed for the paddler to find the correct boat for them. The specs will include length, width, weight of the boat, volume and the upper end of the paddlers weight recommendations. The overall length determines the boats waterline. Longer boats are faster and shorter boats are more maneuverable. The width of the boat determines stability and affects overall volume and performance. The weight is the finished weight of the boat that Bliss-Stick determines. The volume, displayed in gallons, helps indicate what the boat is used for and what weight range it will fit. The paddler weight range relates to the optimum performance range. Bliss-Stick has a good idea of what size paddler will most enjoy a certain model. This does not mean you won't enjoy a boat whose range does not match your size; but it does mean a model may perform differently if you are out of this range. He we go:

Mistic=N/A Coming soon! They are just now coming out of the ovens!

SCUD= L=6'8" W=26" WT=35lbs VOL=66gal PAD WT=all

MAC= L=8' W=26" WT=45lbs VOL=74gal PAD WT=220lbs

Super RAD 180= L=6' W=26" WT=32.5lbs VOL=48gal PAD WT=180lbs

RAD 175= L=5'11" W=25.5" WT=32lbs VOL=42gal PAD WT=160lbs

RAD 185= L=6'2" W=26" WT=33lbs VOL=51gal PAD WT=200lbs

RAD 195= L=6'7" W=27" WT=34lbs VOL=56gal PAD WT=230lbs

Huka= L=7'7" W=26" WT=40lbs VOL=68gal PAD WT=225lbs

Flipstick= L=6'6" W=26" WT=34lbs VOL=50gal PAD WT=200

Retro outfitting is available!

I have had several inquiries about retro-outfitting for the Huka and Flip-Stick. It is possible! The kit includes the backband, thighbraces with ratchets, hip pads and webbing guides. We sell the kits direct to customers for $90 USD plus shipping $20 USD = $110 total. You and I both know that having new outfitting is like having a new boat. Take a look!

The new Bliss-Stick outfitting

When it comes to kayak outfitting, Bliss-Stick has always considered the thigh braces to be the single most important component when it comes to comfort, control, and security. Every season there are new attempts to crack the ultimate yet to them they always fall short. It's remained a challenge to come up with a system that truly meets and delivers to the needs of the discerning boater.



We've never seen a system that offers such comfort and support. They are effortless to adjust (I kid you not), and are the most robust and maintenance free thigh brace you could have. The days of paddlers battling on the river bank trying to fine tune positioning, and stripping out inserts etc, are well and truly over. The only fear we have is that it's just too easy to lock yourself in more than you might want to; so the braces come complete with a warning to remind you of the danger.

Here is one of our team test boats with the new system installed. It's all been smiles and even our biggest critics have had to admit that this is truly the best thigh brace they have ever tried. It not only looks very smart, but is a complete solution right down to having the ratchet straps nicely guided out of harms way.

While sitting in the boat you can rotate the thigh cup to suit your individual bracing requirements by simply loosening a single screw. The cup wraps a full 180 degrees around your thigh, offering both inner and outer support.





(Courtesy of Bliss-Stick)

Update on the Mistic...

In case you're wondering, the lads have still been going hard on this creation. We had hoped to have it cast by Christmas, but we're just going to miss out. Very close though. That damn SCUD has been stealing all the action. Still we're convinced there will always remain some faithful long boaters out there. This project has been going on for exactly a year now - so one thing you will have to admit, this is one very well thought out creek boat. I wouldn't like to try and guess how many hours have been spent, standing, looking and contemplating this boat!



Here she is to date. Regardless of the hours spent contemplating, we're well aware that in the end, it's all going to come down to how it paddles. It won't be long now till our questions are answered. We're excited and optimistic, she looks sooo sweet. No doubt she will be fast, and possess some fantastic handling ability; we're just gunning for pure perfection and as always endeavouring to take hull design to a new level.




The hull is completely finished and now all that remains is the final truing up of the top deck and incorporating our new moulded in safety bars. They're very cool and on this boat we are incorporating an extra one on the end of the stern. The deck lines are somewhat original but very cool and not quite as wild as they were! In fact, I would have to admit they're looking very nice now. Best of all, they add some serious structure to the form. Getting this part of the boat finished seems to take forever, but in the end it's all worth it, and I think it'll be completed by the end of the week. Then it's bust out a pattern and she's off to the casters. We've proved that from there we can break records to finish the mould and get the first few out on the water. Honestly, it won't be long now. I should have a demo grade on the next container! Contact me to reserve yours today! (Update courtesy of Bliss-Stick)

Crazy U.S. Spring Double Deal!!

Bliss-Stick is doing something that is unheard of and just in time of spring creekin! If you buy a creekboat you get a playboat for half price. Creekboats are as follows: Huka, SCUDs, MAC 1, and Mistic. Playboats are as follows: RAD 175, 185, 195, and the Super Rad 180. Thats right buy a creeker and get your new playboat for next year at half price. That makes the price for the playboat $375. SCUDs should be here by March! Mistics by April. Sorry, no exceptions on this promotion. I can help you with any Bliss-Stick boat you may want. All models are $750 plus shipping to your door from Seattle. With the exception of the SCUD and the Mistic, they are $850 plus shipping. Offer good through May 2006. Email me for more details!

Here is how it works...

First and foremost, you do not have to wait for your boat to come from New Zealand. Bliss-Stick has a warehouse in Seattle. Washington. As an agent, I am given a current inventory list of the boats. This list includes colors, quantities and the grade of the boat. Meaning first quality, demo, or blem. After deciding what type of boat and color you want, I fill out a release form with your contact information and send it to Bliss-Stick. They contact you for payment, and then release the boat from the warehouse. It is shipped to your door! The price of all Bliss-Stick boats are $750 with the exception of the SCUD and Mistic. They are both $850. Shipping right now to the east coast is around $80. (picture courtesy of Bliss-Stick)

Touching Base...

Kia Ora! This blog is dedicated to whitewater kayaking, travel and using Bliss-Stick kayaks. If you are not familiar to Bliss-Sick then site back relax and catch up on a little history.

Bliss-Stick Kayaks started somewhere back in the 90's when a talented New Zealand raft guide, Richard Sage discovered that kayaking was, in fact, far more fun than rafting.

A builder of rafts, he won awards for his contribution to the design of the self-bailing raft.

During the migration to kayaking, he created 'Sally', a fully backpackable, inflatable and rigid kayak. With his mind now focused on kayaking, the next goal was to design a freestyle kayak that would match his skills against the international competition coming down to New Zealand for the Worlds in 1999. He placed 11th at this event, and so Bliss-Stick Kayaks was launched to the World.

The progression of designs started with a flurry of prototypes of the FJ1 and the Blitz, FJ being short for Fuljames, New Zealand's premier standing wave and site of the 99 World's. From here saw an evolution to the Blitz Special, the Freestyler, the LifeStyler, the Huka, the RAD and most recently the SCUD.



The company has grown fast over the last 5 years, from a very humble beginning. The success is built on innovation and intuition. The boats have always been at the cutting edge, and will continue to lead boat design into the future. .

Bliss-Stick also has a new approach to getting there boats out to paddlers that need to be paddling them. You’ll be pleased to know that we have made some huge changes to our selling and distribution network for the coming season. It’s a very refreshing and unique approach, which focuses on better value, service and availability of our fine product. This involves a network of Bliss-Stick Agents, who are totally passionate about kayaking and our company, and offer us incredible representation, both on and off the water . We have kept on-board a handful of our most faithful resident dealers, who have over the years treated us, and our customers, very well. They now can offer the same incredible value as our trusted Bliss-Stick Agents. Our business is all about “taking care of the kayakers”, so, boldly we go where no other kayaking company has ventured before. It’s an exciting time for us all.

This is where I play a role. I am an agent in Asheville, N.C. and can help you with all of you Bliss-Stick needs. I have access to some demos for the fellow paddler to try. With being in Asheville, there is access to many rivers and creeks. For more information on this amazing new program, to demo a boat, or to find out about Asheville, click here. Thanks in advance! (History courtesy of Bliss-Stick)