Bowler Ratings

PatternStTwCr
Oily:778
Medium:9.59.59.5
Dry:765
Sport:777

Bowler ratings are from 1 to 10 in order of Stroker (ST), Tweener (TW), Cranker (CR)

General Info

Brand:
Name:Yeti
Reviewed:May 2013
Empty
Coverstock Specs
Name:NA
Type:Reactive Pearl
Box Finish:500 SiaAir / Rough Buff
Color:Red / Purple Pearl
Empty
Core Specs
Name:NA
Type:Symmetrical
RG:2.482
Diff:0.054
Int. Diff:0.000

For details on our standard test layouts, please click here.

The Yeti is the second release this month from Radical Bowling Technologies. This ball differs from the Reax by using a symmetrical core and pearlized coverstock.

The Yeti gave us the best look on our medium test pattern. We really liked the reaction we got from the Yeti. The core revs up quickly, but the cover still pushes the Yeti far enough down the lane to prevent it from burning up before it gets to the pocket. We did not touch the coverstock during our use of the Yeti on this pattern.

We also liked our reaction on the sport pattern. We like balls that rev up quickly and maintain energy at the breakpoint. While the Reax provides that reaction on heavy oil conditions, the Yeti does the same on medium patterns. We saw the shape we liked; we just had to play farther right on this pattern than we did with the Reax because of the volume of our sport pattern. After a few shots with a decent reaction at the box finish, we removed the shine with a 2000 Abralon pad.This helped give us more miss room on this pattern.

Cranker was able to play the heavy test pattern with the same line as he did on the sport pattern. Moving closer to the friction and squaring up to the lane, he still was able to get the Yeti to tip over at the back end on the heavy pattern. The other two testers needed to remove the Rough Buff with a 3000 SiaAir pad. Along with removing the shine, these testers also made a move farther right to get lined up on this pattern.

We raised our ball speeds and made a move left on the short pattern and had some success. We had to be sure and stay up the back of the ball at the release. To improve our look even more, we added a heavy layer of Factory Finish polish to the box finish of the Yeti to find an even better reaction on our short dry test pattern.

Performance Ratings

NameValueComments
Torque7.5
The Yeti pops pretty hard at the breakpoint. The polished pearl cover stores energy well.
Length14
The box finish allows the Yeti to be strong on medium patterns. Bowlers who need more length have a few options. They can either add High Gloss Polish to the Yeti or they can raise the underlying grit and reapply Rough Buff.
Back End17
This ball wants to go left when it sees friction downlane. This is one of the bigger moves we have seen from a Radical product.
Total Hook50
The Yeti offers plenty of hook for a shiny pearlized ball. We had no problem on our medium test pattern with the box finish.

Strengths

The Yeti revs up quickly but still leaves something for the back end. The pearlized coverstock at this box finish gives just enough push without skidding past the breakpoint.

Weaknesses

Only extremes of oil will keep the Yeti hiding in the bag. With the proper layouts and surface preparation, you could actually make the ball work on almost anything.

Overall Summary

Radical has really found their groove with their last three releases. These balls offered terrific reactions for all three of our testers.

The BTM Ball Testing Team

About The BTM Ball Testing Team

The BTM Ball Testing Team is led by Eric Martinez. Our team of three testers has thrown and reviewed hundreds of bowling balls for Bowling This Month. When not testing balls for BTM, Eric owns and operates University Pro Shop in San Antonio, TX and he is an avid competitive bowler. Click here to learn more about how we test and review bowling balls.