Newer Vekoma Boomerangs

Are they smooth ? I was just looking at some pics of Flashback @SFNE, and those seats sure look comfortable. And they look vert padded too. Are they ?

Having ridden a number of boomerangs I would say that SFNE's is one of the most uncomfortable I've ridden.  First what looks like padding is hard black rubber, but that feature is the same for most Booms.  Secondly like most booms there is headbanging a-plenty.

But there is one major difference.  Flashback is the only model with two large rubber washers [they look like hockey pucks] screwed into the front of the seat.  They are supposedly there to prevent people from slipping under the OSTRs and out of the seats but none of the other models have it. What happens is that they end up being in your crotch...ouch!

The only Boomerang I've ridden that I would gladly re-ride is Lake Compounce's Zoomerang.  It is the best run and best maintained Boom, IMHO.

My opinion on them is that:

There are 4 types of Vekoma sitdown looping trains:

The 1997 to 1999 bunch are the most primitive and are basically a new version of the Arrow ones. They got the rounded fronts and the generic color is "bright red". Unfortunately, the harnesses are quite hard, as are the headrests. My least favorite sitdown trains ( they were an horror on Goudurix and Boomerang at Great Escape is too tame ).

The 1999 and later still got the rounded front, but... they got a few differences. They can be a mixed of three colors! For example, Cobra at SFB, which is a standard Boomerang new for 2001, got red and blue trains, with yellow harnesses and car backs! They also got a bar dividing the riders and a strange handle on the back of the seats. They track fairly good and the harnesses are little softer than the previous version... The headrest goes around your head, but its so hard its dont add anything.

To my knowledge, 2 Vekoma coasters got the infamous "leg dividers" on their trains. They are Superman the Ride ( LSM coaster ) at SFH and Flashback at SFNE. They make the ride pure hell for large riders... ( a friend went on STR and had his right leg squashed between the car and divider! ). Titanfan, if you buy a Vekoma Boomerang or LSM coaster, DONT take this option!

Last and not least... the custom looping trains. 2 coasters got them right now and a 3rd one will open in march. These are the true cadillacs of looping coasters trains. They all have a custom chassis ( for Space Mountain at DLP, a faded green and gold moon rocket. For RnRC at MGM studios, a nice stretch limo! ). Opening in march is the new RnRC, at Walt Disney Studios, at DLP resort. The trains in that case are purple giant boom box! The front car even got a CD in it... They also have the most confortable harnesses and headrests, that actually protect your head when the train shakes, instead of punishing you!!

If I were you, I'd go with the custom trains, but... They go for an easy 1.5 millions each, for a six car trains!

I enjoy SFEG's 1999 Boomerang. The trains aren't too comfortable but it's still smooth as glass.
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GO CU! Big 12 Champs!

While I haven't ridden either of the Boomerangs with the leg dividers, I've found relatively little correspondence between the vintage of a boomerang and the quality of the ride.

On SLCs I have found the ones with the softer side pads to be more comfortable, though the pads can get to be a bit smelly.  Examples of the soft pads are at SFKK and SFA.

Absimilliard said:

Opening in march is the new RnRC, at Walt Disney Studios, at DLP resort.

Do you have any more info on this?

While I have only been on three Boomerangs the best one has to be at Wild Adventures in Valdosta Georgia. It is the smoothest Vekoma I have ever been on. Also there SLC Is the smoothest one I have been on either.
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Joey Ciborek FLCC Member
www.FloridaCoasterClub.com
"WE RIDE ALL YEAR!"

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mamba said:
"Do you have any more info on this?
"

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There is a lot of good information here:
http://www.rcdb.com/installationdetail1444.htm
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GO CU! Big 12 Champs!

Yes. Its a clone of RnRC at WDW and Superman the Ride at SFH. The theming and story will be different however. You will be filming a music video with Aerosmith!

The trains will be metallised purple, with the front car having on its front, a boombox! Complete with CD!

Each trains will have its own music and the ride light effects will react differently to each train.

The new Walt Disney Studios park will have RnRC, an all new special effects show on Armageddon, a huge Stunt Show and more!

I also find SLC's headrests to be much softer than Boomerangs. But, the downside is that I'm not tall enough for my head to reach them. And yes, I agree w/ Jim Fisher, they stink in the summer! Flashback is very uncomfortable. I haven't ridden any other boomerangs and I didn't know if all of the trains were that deep. The first time I rode it I think I stepped down at least a foot from the step on the train.  I agree with all who said that the leg divider is PAINFUL!!!
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Six Flags New England loses its "floor" for 2002!!!
Visit www.geocities.com/sfneguy for info. about SFNE!!!

Actually it depends on which SLC.  Some have the soft pads and some have rock hard pads.

I've only been on one Boomerang and the was the Sidewinder at HP. I found it not as rough as I was expecting. I've also heard from other people that is is one of the smoothest boomerangs. The trains don't fit any of the descriptions provided by Absimilliard. They looked like an old Arrow looping train with a handle on the headrest.
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The only boomerang I'll still ride is Knott's. That one's still a lot of fun. And it's one of the older models.
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September 11th, 2001. We will never forget. Peace!

You are talking about the old Arrow multielement trains. Before 1996, Vekoma putted Arrow trains on their sitdown rollercoasters. That's why Goudurix, both Ninja at SFSTL and SFOG, corkscrew coasters, 4 inversions coasters and Boomerang have or had Arrow trains on opening. Regarding Sidewinder, Vekoma may have rebuilded the old train, if its does have the handle you say.

I find SFDL's Boomerang: Coast to Coaster to be smooth (not beemer smooth, but not slc rough)  There's a tad bit of head baning on the cobra roll, but never enough, imo to make the ride un enjoyable.  (btw, i believe that that ride was built in 98 or 97...could be wrong though.
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"you give me the most gorgeous sleep that i've ever had and when it's really bad i guess it's not that bad" Underneath it all- no doubt

Atlantis104, I have to agree with you about Wild Adventures' Vekomas.  They are wonderfully smooth, well-maintained.  Of course, as the topic header says: they ARE newer,  whereas the SFNE version is a relocated older ride, but by no means the only one.  Why don't all parks use the soft fluffy padding instead of the "firm" rubber that bangs and hurts on most OTSRs?
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PoTP acolyte - remove fear to reply
Son of Drop Zone - PKI CoasterCamp I Champions!!!

*** This post was edited by rollergator on 1/5/2002. ***