Westside

Boatman

4.7(87)
Distance Driver
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The Boatman is a Westside distance driver rated 11/5/0/2: a fast driver with good glide, no high-speed turn and a moderate fade. Westside says faster arms can hold it straight for distance before a very overstable finish, while slower arms still get an overstable finish plus extra glide. Players looking for a driver that turns over easily should choose something more understable. Westside describes it as predictable, with a long glide and little fade. Players on Disc Golf Course Review describe it as long and straight with a reliable fade, and popular for forehand throws. One player reported that a newer VIP Boatman was very overstable and domey but became less overstable with use. The PDGA approved the Boatman (Tuonelan Lautturi in Finnish) on 21 March 2011 (11-12) and a VIP Air version on 24 March 2014 (14-24). Westside named it after the boatman of Tuonela from the Kalevala, and the stamp art is by Arto Hoffrén (2010). Try Discs lists it in VIP, VIP Air, VIP Glimmer and Tournament, among other runs, as of October 2026. On our comparison table its nearest matches are the MVP Zenith and the Viking Discs Valhalla.

The Boatman is a Westside distance driver rated 11/5/0/2: a fast driver with good glide, no high-speed turn and a moderate fade. Westside says faster arms can hold it straight for distance before a very overstable finish, while slower arms still get an overstable finish plus extra glide. Players looking for a driver that turns over easily should choose something more understable.

Westside describes it as predictable, with a long glide and little fade. Players on Disc Golf Course Review describe it as long and straight with a reliable fade, and popular for forehand throws. One player reported that a newer VIP Boatman was very overstable and domey but became less overstable with use.

The PDGA approved the Boatman (Tuonelan Lautturi in Finnish) on 21 March 2011 (11-12) and a VIP Air version on 24 March 2014 (14-24). Westside named it after the boatman of Tuonela from the Kalevala, and the stamp art is by Arto Hoffrén (2010). Try Discs lists it in VIP, VIP Air, VIP Glimmer and Tournament, among other runs, as of October 2026. On our comparison table its nearest matches are the MVP Zenith and the Viking Discs Valhalla.

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Flight

Source: Westside

Arm speed

NoviceIntermediatePro
SpeedHow hard the disc must be thrown to fly as designed. Putters are 1 to 3, the fastest drivers 14 and up.
11
GlideHow long the disc stays in the air. More glide means more distance from the same throw.
5
TurnHow much it drifts right early in flight (right-handed backhand). More negative, more drift.
0
FadeHow hard it hooks left as it slows down (right-handed backhand). Higher, stronger hook.
2
StabilityTurn plus fade. Negative drifts right and is easier for beginners. Positive finishes left.Turn + Fade
2

Dimensions

Source: PDGA
DiameterHow wide the disc is, edge to edge. Almost every disc is 21 to 22 cm.
21.4 cm
HeightHow tall the disc is lying flat. Putters are usually the tallest.
1.9 cm
Rim DepthHow deep the rim is underneath, where your fingers grip. Putters have the deepest rims.
1.3 cm
Rim ThicknessHow wide the rim is. Wider rims make faster discs that need a stronger throw.
2.2 cm
Rim Inside DiameterThe width of the flat middle, inside the rim. Bigger usually means a slower, easier disc.
17 cm
Rim Depth/Diameter RatioRim depth as a share of the disc's width. Higher means a deeper rim for its size.
6.1%
Rim ConfigurationA PDGA score for the shape of the edge. Low is sharp, like a driver. High is rounded, like a putter.
29.5
BeadA small ridge under the edge of the rim, mostly on putters. It changes how the disc feels in hand.
No

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4.787 reviews from 4 stores

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From 4 stores

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