Hi!
Does anyone have any advice for a new boat that will do river running plus have the ability to surf river and sea waves?
I have paddled lots of grade 3 rivers and some grade 4's. I want something that has enough volume to not have the stern catch, but with a decent flat bottomed hull and good rails! I am 6ft 2\" and 200lb ish

You should look at the RX (perscription) 6.9 or the EZG 60 both would suit your needs well. Make sure you demo before you buy.

The RX is a sweet boat. You might also try the LL Cross River, Jackson Fun Series, or Draggo Rossi Fish. Take care

I have a pyranha recoil and there is just not enough hype on it! I have not paddled it, as it is still in the wrapping and i am trying to sell it, however I have the seven-o and the recoil is the same boat with modifications that will excell it in these catagories. the boat is superb. I bought my seven o as my first boat, which steepened my learning curve but has made me very confident on the water. I have paddled the seven o on the big waters of the ottawa, where i surfed bus eater and garberater with a charm. I had many beautiful surfs on habitat 67 in montreal. On the same trip, with the appilation mountain club, we stopped and surfed the Route 3 wave on the black in NY. I had the best surfs out of everyone on that wave, and it was not because of my skill... my boat just wanted to stay on the wave.
I also like to paddle creeks. I have not gotten a creek boat yet, so i take the seven o wherever I can. i have paddled class 4 rivers without a problem, and like to take the boat on class 3 creeks. I have also paddled one class 4 creek, but had to portage around 1 14 foot waterfall. All of the other, very technical lines, my boat went down like butter.
There is just not enough hype on the recoil. I wish i did not have to sell it, but i cannot afford to keep it.

Here are a few links with reviews that I have found:
www.rivergypsies.com/recoil.html
and
www.greatoutdoorprovision.com/FUDforum2/...761f457642053ef08605

You may have to copy then past them into your window.

If you are interested, i am selling mine for very cheap...

test a fluid spice as well. i was amazed when i saw what scott reinders and the fluid team did with the spice.
www.fluidkayaks.co.za/Whitewater.htm

scottyr has a blog as well, i think [mail address protected from spambots with javascript] , not sure though.

Hey. I Know the perfect boat for you.
The fluid medium. I am 6 ft 4 and was wanting to be able to rip it up but also creek with it, and it is great at both! if u need details for getting one i can give them 2 u.

check out the Chronic. it's a good river/play boat for someone your size, and is supposed to be sick in the ocean.

Hey Buddy,

I am not sponsored at the moment by any company. Liquid logic lent me a boat to use while I don't have a boat manufacture on board. (thanks Shane) I might even paddle it at the worlds. It lets me be very Candid about what actually works and what dosen't. There is alot I can't say, I won't bash anyone. But if you ask I will answer as best I can.

I don't do this as often as I should. Answer this. Tell me what you paddle now, what you paddled in the past. what class of river you paddle, how big the ocean waves you surf as well as anything that you may find realative to what you want to learn in the future. Keep in mind you are going to be limited to the pool for the winter. I will review what you avhe to say and give you a full personal report. Please include weight (real) leg length.

Billy Harris

ps this is open to anyone with the same question I will do my best to help.

BillyHarris wrote:

Hey Buddy,

I am not sponsored at the moment by any company. Liquid logic lent me a boat to use while I don't have a boat manufacture on board. (thanks Shane) I might even paddle it at the worlds. It lets me be very Candid about what actually works and what dosen't. There is alot I can't say, I won't bash anyone. But if you ask I will answer as best I can.

I don't do this as often as I should. Answer this. Tell me what you paddle now, what you paddled in the past. what class of river you paddle, how big the ocean waves you surf as well as anything that you may find realative to what you want to learn in the future. Keep in mind you are going to be limited to the pool for the winter. I will review what you avhe to say and give you a full personal report. Please include weight (real) leg length.

Billy Harris

ps this is open to anyone with the same question I will do my best to help.

Now that is a hell of an offer!

One of the worlds greatest freestyle (and other discipline) paddlers, currently with no forced company bias due to sponsorship offering to review you needs and make personal recommendations!

I kind of wish I needed a new boat now so I could ask for a recommendation ;P

Denzil

was the boat that was lent to you one of the ronins? if it was im looking at getting one and it would be awesome to have your take on it.

Well the boat that was lent to me was a bfoot 56. I did get the chance to try out the Ronin on garb and at the smaller play spots. My intitial feeling was \"no I don't like it\". Much like the boats of the past it took some time getting used to. I found it pearled moved like a rocket. Now to most people that sounds good and bad at the same time. For me, I was pressing my heels and bouncing like I wood a kickrockerd boat. This is a different animal. Great for small spots, bow pearls a bit youll get used to it.

So my overall take on the boat was not for me but good for most smaller spots. Please note that right now my boat of choice after this afternoons Bus eater session is now the SPACE CADET.

My recomendation, use one first befroe you buy. You will know for sure after an honest session. Shane builds, to quote a friend, \"the chronic\".

Good luck

My recomendation on boats to check out. Dagger Agent. I paddled that as well.

Good for smaller spots? Huh, thats not what i would have expected. thanks for the info.

So... I am paddling a Riot Turbo 47 and it's great (as a playboat) on ocean surf, river surf and i use to paddle this boat in class III or even IV... Try it first.
I just Love it...
See you.

morpheus1971 wrote:

Hi!
Does anyone have any advice for a new boat that will do river running plus have the ability to surf river and sea waves?
I have paddled lots of grade 3 rivers and some grade 4's. I want something that has enough volume to not have the stern catch, but with a decent flat bottomed hull and good rails! I am 6ft 2\" and 200lb ish

The boat is too big for me (165 lbs) but I think that ifyou are looking for something that has a good surfing hull, great rails to hole a carve, then you must at least consider the DR Thruster. Corran has been pushing planing hulls and carving for sooooooooo long you've got to admit that he's figured at least a few things out by now.

yeah, for pure surfing corran probably has it figured out the best.

Pick me, pick me! How could I pass up on an offer like that?
Ok, I'm 5 foot 1 (standing on my tip toes), and weigh 54 kgs. I have a 2 Fun at present, and a Diesel 65 (padded to the hilt).

I paddle grade 3-4, and play a lot in the ocean (up to 6 foot when we get it here - but 6 foot Australian style). I suck at playboating - seriously - I can flat spin, and that's about it.

I like big water with low consequences (eg Nile, Zam...), much better than creeking. I tend to travel to water, as opposed to paddling much at home (Australia), except in the surf.

I am thinking about selling my 2 Fun for a smaller play boat. I think the overlap between my Diesel and my 2 Fun is a little too big - and that if I had a smaller play boat, it would be better for playing, but still have my diesel for when I get scared.

What do you think about a pocket rocket or a trigger (or any other ideas)?

steff

stefflooi,

Love that avatar!

Good idea to keep the Diesel and just get something smaller for play.
What would you say if I were to suggest the Squashtail? It has a great surfing heritage and I've paddled it down lots of class III/IV stuff. When I get a little nervous I too have a larger boat to paddle that is like your Diesel (Gangster).

Yay. New boats are fun.

Hi Scott,
Aren't I a little small for a squashtail? Never paddled one, they look cool, but at 54kgs, I wonder if I'd be a little small for it. Other problem is that there is no dragerossi importer for Australia.

thanks though.

steff

YOu'd have to be about 45Kg before you were \"too light\" for the boat.
It's actually a pretty small boat.
I'm about 75Kg and it took me a while to get used to how small it is. It's built to Corran's size which is about 68Kg and was meant to be super super \"squashed\" for him. Most of the volume is in the center.

We don't have an importer here in the U.S. either. doing everything factory direct.

Ok Guys I have to go for a day or so. I will reply to your questions so hold on for a couple days. As for the nice comments and all the emails I have recived Thanks. As or the padding questions, \"I'll Be Back\"... he he

Be back in a day or so.
BIlly Harris

Hey Steffloo,

Ok, I am not too fimilliar with the small boat issues you are having however I think that I can lead you in the right direction. The Pocket rocket is fantastic on big waves however it is not going to hook up on an ocean wave very well. You need rails for that and they just aint there. I think that a boat to try and may be at hand for you to test first is the Old Chronic (it may be too much volume). It plays well, surfs like a champ and you may find throwing it around not too big a problem. There are several at Penrith WW stadium, talk to the staff there to try one out. They were given them at a very very good price and the only stipulation was to be kind to anyone wanting to try them out. SO. Get your little but down there and try one out. The other boat I feel would be good for you to try and cheap to get is the NZ Rad series boats. They tend to be very tricky on the rear end for landings however they hook up well in surf and you will find the small one a good fit for you. I have not much knowledge about the Trigger. So your own with that decision. Just make sure that when you paddle a new boat it makes you happy to spend the money.

Billy Harris

ps when you are at penrith there will be some small Riot boats to test out too.

I'm about your size. The pocket rocket is a little bit of a strange boat. It's great in some places and not so great in others. If your not a playboater then a hardcore playboat may not be much use for you. I would also tend to say that the trigger is a terrible boat in my experience and is not worth having. I 've paddled the trigger on big pushy water to class IV+ technical creeks. Just cross that one off your list. You say that you find that there is a large overlap between your 2Fun and Diesel. I would tend to disagree. So could you explain?
In addition, what do you expect from your new full on playboat?

I paddle a Project45, i think it is the best playboat that I have ever paddled; however, I would not recomend it to someone who can only flatspin it. The bow of high performance playboats dives into the water easily,(uncontrollably for inexperienced playboaters) to facilitate tricks.

yeah, the trigger is not the best boat, id stayu away. i havent paddled it on class four plus creeks but after going of a couple of minor drops in it it seems kind of confused, like it wants to do several things at once and ends up not doing anything well.

Hi Billy

I would like your honest opinion on Corrans DR playboats,The squashtail,Fish and the Thruster.

Allot of people seemed scared of them, they see hard rails and they turn the other way, and buy a Tupaware box with grab loops and a drain plug.
When in reality they are friendly boats.

So i would appreciate your expert review.
In the Uk they have'nt taken off,maybe this is due to our lack of big waves i don't know.
Are they very popular over in the States?

Thanks, Dodsy.

Hi all,
Thanks for the awesome replies. You've certainly given me some food for thought. Billy, I'll be in Penrith in early February for SWRT on my way home from NZ. I'll certainly give a chronic a try. I've paddled a RAD 175, but I still think it's too big for me. The reason I was thinking a pocket rocket is that I tried a friend's on the Nile, and it seemed like a boat that would push me. That being said if I'm going to struggle in the surf, it's probalby not quite right for me.

Nathan, what I mean is that my 2Fun is a river/play boat and my diesel is a river/creek boat. I would prefer a small play boat that I can refine my skills playboating on play runs, and for anything more scary, take my diesel. At present, there's a huge grey area (the class 3-4 river run), that has a huge overlap. If I have a smaller play boat, I will be much less tempted to take my playboat, and take my diesel instead. I also feel like my 2fun is a little too big to throw around in flatwater (yes, I know, get stronger, get better technique blah blah ), I think a more 'pure' playboat as opposed to a hybrid would be better for my playboating. The last problem I have with the 2 Fun is a funny one - it's WAY too easy to roll. It teaches me bad habits in my roll cause I don't need to think about rolling it.

I guess as I see it, I want 1 boat to have fun with, and 1 boat to keep me safe. At the moment I have 2 boats that keep me safe. That being said, I love my 2 fun. It's a great boat, great for my learning progression and I've had a stack of fun with it.

steff

Hey Dodsy,

here is the skinny, as for as prerformance I have no comment on Corrans boats. The reason is I havn't tried the boats. Thats not to say I have seen the boats paddled by very good paddlers and they look like great carving boats. But putting a good paddler in any boat and passing judgement, no matter how good or bad the boat is can be dangerously inaccurate. So I can't really say how edgy or how well they run. My apolgies. past boats, I am more that happy to give props to and abuse at will.

Corran, a man who I do respect. (Dispite my drunken ramblings on the kayaking Vid H2H0) has in the past always pushed the limits of perfromance. Always pushed the Rails on his boats as high end and cutting edge, sharp slicy. People and I belive in people in general felt (I think that Jeff at Riot felt the same way, (just a guess) that building cutting edge boats pushing the limits of boat design scares the large group of people buying boats(beginnermediates). Corran will alwasy carry with him, correct or not, stigma that he is building cutting edge becasue of his colorful and inventive past.

Popular?
I haven't seen any on the rivers over here, I do travel around in the states a bit but haven't seen any Canadians paddling them either.

Billy

Bongo Man,

Here is the skinny, The Flirt is a good boat for all that to a point. However there is somthing that you must be aware of.

If your Flirt is a sports car. Don't take your sports car OFF Roading! Over the years I have seen this go on and no matter what it always ends in a dangerous situation. 4X4's were developed for a reason. NO it may not be raining when you start your drive into Lesotho or the Drakensburg area or where ever you are going in SA. But you are going to want the 4x4 when it gets rough. The same goes for the Flirt when it gets rough. Take the Creekboat. Its designed for the dangers, the Solo. ( I like the big one) is perfect, cheap, easy to get a hold of and Super safe. Please take that when you are creeking. I know some really good people that have died making the same vehicle mistakes. (more on the 3 and 4 grade stuff than you may think)

Good luck buddy,

if you hit the website, www.kayaktheearth.com Read 'science of the southafrican Male\" I think that you will get a good laugh.

Billy Harris

My thoughts on The Ronin,

Well I had a couple goes in the LL boat, it reminded me of the very fast Rad and Project series. Marlow seemed to get along with it quite well. I felt that it was a little boxy at first, then I jumped in and decided that it was nice for looping and cosy to sit in. I had been paddling kickrockered boats till that point and found it hard to change to something so fast and it is fast. I found that the bow dove a bit, comming from what I paddled in the past but speed will do that to ya.
At the time my panites were in a bunch about what boat I was going to paddle at team trials. I really never got too much paddling in with it to make a full comment on all of its performance and nor was I focusing on it that much. I also paddled a Prototype. But give the boat a shot, make sure that you are balanced well in it before you pass judgement , please note that Its Shane. Shane always has made good product, he's kinda someone you can count on to make thoughtful gear. Dispite the lack of knee space in the 56 Bigfoot. knowone is perfect.

Billy Harris

Morpheus,

Your asking alot, river running boats, good ones that is have no rails. Without rails you can't hook up on a carve. Get off the fence, what do you do more creekboat or play boat. Can you buy two?. A big laddy like you would love the Orbit Fish FOR A PLAY BOAT. (your welcome Necky) Lots of room, great on the surf, loose like yo momma and river running..... not so much. You can but I can't really say you can. Catch my drift. 4x4's Creekers. Orbit fish sports car.

Good luck
Billy

If you are looking to improve your playboating then you shoudl defenetly get a better play boat. I would look for a boat with significant rocker in the front and back, so you don't get frustrated with not being able to flatspin. i was paddling with a guy who was in the new Fluid nemesis today and it looked very user friendly. It hasen't come out yet, but I think they will also be doing some bigt things with their outfiting!! The vision is probaly also a reallt good choice for you. It's easy to use and may be decent in the surf. ( I personaly don't care for LL boats)