I want to learn to play boat. I have been paddling for many years but am primarily a river runner up to class IV. I love to front surf on small and big waves. I punch holes but don’t go into to stay. I have a WS diesel 75. I am 6'1\" about 215 lb. Pop-ups, enders, stern squirts, are the extent of my play skills. I want to learn to back surf, spin, cartwheel and loop. I have some park and play access ( I live near the Potomac). Can someone recommend a boat? Pure play? Hybrid?

Should I go for a Project type boat right from the start or is there a rational for getting an EZG type boat?

Any boat recommendations for new play boater??

I\"m always a fan of getting a park and play boat if you already have a boat like the diesel. For example, you're not really going to run the Great Falls in a play boat (although people do), and when the gorge gets really big there's really nothing but playspots anyway. You'll have way more fun at Center Chute and Maryland Chute in a park and play boat.

Still, I have to recognize that iit was only a few years ago that park and play boats were about the size of the so-called \"river runners\". But, with these river runners, you still don't get alot of speed out of them since they hover around 7' anyway. You'd probably just get back into the Diesel when things get too high, or you are doing a nice river run anyway.

You might want to demo some booats. Easiest way to answer some of your questions. I know that Jeff McIntyre has an entire fleet of DragoRossi boats in Cabin John.

Good luck. New boats are fun.

go for the project tpe boat from the start, the learning curve will be quicker, and you wont be frustrated by the shortcomings a riverrunning playboat. the only reason one would get a river runner is if they want to be able to surf, maybe throw some carthweels and loops, and still stay on line without to much trouble. If your a class IV boater, than you should get used to the feel of a playboat in bigger water pretty quick, after that it wont matter so much. If you really wanna get a rivverunning playboat than the 07 fun sereis looks like the way to go, altho i cant really back this up othere than the videos are more impressive than anything else ive seen in a riverrunner, but that could be just good publicity.

Take a look at the river your going to be paddling and what boats the paddlers are using. If your river requires you to paddle the river and make some moves that may be a challange then do what you can to pic up a EZG. If you are a park and play jumping into a high end boat will be rough at first but you will get used to it. Remember your base for freestyle will come from river running skills like edging balance etc so run some rivers it will improve your playboating skills.
Billy Harris

MFCX5,

The First thing you are going to find is comfort. You run with comfy gear so keep yourself open to the idea that you are going to be squeezin into a playboat. You might try out the Hybrid at first. It will run well, and challange your skill set running. It will also open you up to the surf and play. If you wanted to learn how to throw down in flat water or carwheel, you can do it in a hybrid but you will find it tough to get the size right. Try out a few before you buy. I won't recomend picking up a high end playboat just yet. See if you like the Hybrid first.

I won't tell you to try any one boat but attend a few pool sessions this winter and see and try what is being paddled by others.
PS good luck,

Billy

An EZG is a fantastic boat. It will be much easier for you to learn most of the vertical moves, and it will loop if you get one that's big enough. I'd wait for the full-on playboat until you get to where you're surfing huge waves and holes and are ready to pull off the bigger moves (i.e. pan-ams, air screws, space godzillas, mcnasties, etc). Keep the EZG for half a season and learn with it, then sell it and buy a sportier model (you won't have any problem selling it).

if you do end up getting an EZG then you should look at the 60. It has the volume that you need. I paddle the 50 and I am 180 lbs and it squirts me around a bit. The weight range tops out at 190 on the 50 (at least that is what they recomend). If you eventually got an overthruster put on it then you would have an amazing loop boat. It will also cartwheel much nicer than the project given the slicer ends. Another option might be the Crazy 88. It come with an overthruster and has very slicey ends already. You should be able to find one at a good price since they just replaced it with the Agent, which does not have slicey ends. If I was buying another play boat it would be the 88.