I'm looking for a good boat to guide with, one that's fast, maneuverable, and can carry people/gear. Right now I've a Jackson 2006 4Fun, and I'm 5'8\" and 170 lbs.

I had a chance to look at the Habitat, and I really liked the 74, as compared to the 80 and Whatever size Mamba I got in. Any tips?

Check out the Mega Rocker at your size you could carry a whole other person and their kayak in that boat!

DragoRossi Critical Mass

Two versions

ELITE version with a sealed stern bulkhead and a rear hatch, many attachment points
and a bow ring/bulkhead instead of pillar to make more room for your feet, and make removing the footbrace easier so you can stuff some light gear in the bow too.

PERFORMA version with a more standard kayak setup with foam pillars that starts with a retail price under 800 and goes up as you add the extras that you want.

I am 5' 8\" and 165lbs and the Critical Mass is big,but handles very well for me.

Look at the bigger volume river runners such as the ones mentioned allready and also look at the burn from pyranha. At the end of the day whatever u feel comfortable paddlin and using for rrescues is all you need and very personal

good luck in finding ur dreran boat!

You don't say where or what you are guiding on, and your profile is blank, but judging from your response and the replies, I'd guess whitewater. Assuming as a guide, which I was long ago, you need to carry group safety/rescue/survival gear, plus the kitchen sink for your clients, I'd seriously look at a larger volume creeker than you normally would paddle so you have the capability to carry what you need and still be in the game if it gets big. I always carried an 80' 0.75 inch throw rope and a spare paddle in addition to the ammo boxes and duct tape. That all adds up. Your job as the guide is not to show off but to be everything to the group, even if that means paddling a barge to accomodate them safely. Creek boats may not be flashy at playboating, but they can still do most ot the moves. 15 to 25 pounds of extra gear can make a difference when things get tight or BIG. As a guide you take folks there and get them back safely, while trying to show them a good time, so playboating is not necessarily your main goal.

I used to guide with a Lettman MkIV, then a Hollowform Riverchaser, then a Savege Skreem, and of late on lakes, a Perception Carolina. Have led trips over 47' waterfalls and up to 285fpm gradient

have fun with your job, but do it safely

Eric

don\"t know wath your exactly looking for, because there's a big difference between a 4fun and a habitas 74

for guiding class III-IV you might want a big rivier runner like the riot thunder or if you need more volume the riot magnum at 72 gallons is an excellent creeker and with it's volume and handle on the stern let's you carry people easselly and safelly

I use a big diesel (75 gallon) for ww guiding (up to class 4).. It's a bit big for just me at 5\"10 and 160 pounds, but it takes all the stuff (lunch, first aid, split paddle, throw bags, swift kit etc) easy and yet is manouverable. Big easy grips on the back, to carry people on. Fast enough to get somewhere when needed, i'm happy with it. For up to class 4 i'd look for a diesel or a simulair boat (big burn, thunder?)