Liquid Logic Freeride 57 Review

Looking for a good playboat that can get you down a pretty serious river, surf and throw loops as well? If so, you should definitely demo a  Liquid Logic Freeride. Here is my take on the 57 model.

To give some perspective, let me first give you some specs. I'm 6'1" and around 175lbs with size 11 feet. Because of this, I opted to go with the Freeride 57. The 57 has of course, 57 gallons of volume and is 6'6" in length. Liquid Logic also makes a 67, which is 6'9" and 67 gallons. 

The outfitting is the same Bad-Ass Outfitting Liquid Logic uses on pretty much all their boats, like in their Stomper creek boats (check out my review on the Stomper here). That is to say it's still awesome. To give a brief runover, the outfitting is a soft, well-padded kinda mesh weave that even extends over the lip of the cockpit rim on both sides. This really helps when shouldering the boat and I have not noticed any abnormal leakage where it comes into contact with a spray skirt. There are hip pads, which you can add foam to or take away from to get the right fit. For the foot area, I used a medium Jackson Happy Feet. Some people may want to go with a foam block, it's all personal preference. After you sit down in the cockpit, adjust the backband with the ratches on either side and you are good to go. The only thing I would change about the whole setup is the thigh pads. Liquid Logic could really stand to take some cues from other companies in that respect and put adjustable ones on there. The Bliss Stick Tuna I wrote a review on had some and it was great to get a good feeling of control over the yak. (see my review on the Tuna here) 

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In the water, the Freeride performed well. I was able to get a good fit in the boat and trim out well, which made me feel very comfortable in the rapids, unlike my coworker, Mike(see his take on it here). Honestly it kinda feels, and looks like, they married the design of the Liquid Logic Biscuit and a Jackson Fun. This is to say it feels a little bit like a stretched out Biscuit. That extra length gives you a little better speed, stability and control while charging down some fairly stout rivers.  Also, the sliceyness of it allows you to throw cartwheels and wavewheels on your way down the run. In addition, you can stop and play along the way, surfing and even throwing loops.  This is really how the majority of people spend their time and the Freeride is aiming to be one of those do-it-all(mostly) boats.  Run up to Class IV rivers and play the crap out of it all along the way. 

I ultimately ended up selling my Freeride 57 and purchasing a Jackson Superstar. Why you might ask? Well, despited the fact that the Freeride seemed like a great boat for me based on my style and what I normally run,  it was hampered by my geographical location. The Freeride is more of a medium to high volume river runner. It's made to run the river and get some play in along the way on glassy waves, etc. Well, in Tennessee we don't have much of that. The rivers and creeks are shallow and our playspots are more holes than waves.  While the Freeride is faster and can catch even the tiniest wave,  for a shallow hole/small wave the Jackson playboats just work a bit better.  Shorter, higher volume for their length and less edge makes the Superstar (and Rockstar or All Star) more fun for those type of features. 

So, what's my conclusion about this River-running playboat from Liquid Logic? if you run a lot of medium to high volume rivers full of catch-on-the-fly glassy waves, etc the Freeride is an excellent consideration.  It will take a spot in your quiver of boats and quite possibly cause a few of the others to get a little dusty. 

For more info check out the specs at http://liquidlogickayaks.com/freeride_57.cfm and the video below.

Photo Credits: Mary Brace