First off I'm a newbie. Been at it for 1 year. My boat = Diesel 75. I'm 5'11'' 190 #. Water paddled = All of upper New River in WV and part of the lower. I have a roll ...not slick by any means, but a roll. Ist off I LOVE MY DIESEL ! However for down river over nighters, as far as packing space is concerned it's lacking. The other day I took a Habitat demo down some ClassII (this is all I had near home). I really liked the boat. Very stable and easier to roll than my Diesel. OK.....Like most of you yaker's out there, you can never have enough boats. Well I'm trying to justify the purchase of this one. It has the high volume Im after, I like the way it paddles and I would not be duplicating what I already have...a great all around river runner. What concerns me is that the Habitat is touted as a \"Full On Creeker\". But does this mean it would be totally unsuitable for basic Class III and up river running? Will I ever do any steep creeking ? I hope to sometime in the future. I would sure have the boat for this.
The owner of the shop told me the river can push you around a bit more in this boat than others and that carving into eddy's is a bit different. He also raved as to the boats secondary stability, speed, safety and of course volume. As Ive read numerous times...He also said......this is the boat you wanna be in when yer in the sh... Anyway.....Any and all info and opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks !

Well, what the shop owner said is true. The Diesel is not a full on creeker but a very capable boat in any case. The Habitat is a full on, hard core creek boat.

My opinion: Seeing as though you have a good boat that will be fine for running hard rivers (for now), maybe think about getting a playboat of some sort. I find the playing really helps you in so many ways in other areas of your boating. Your roll will become instinctive and super fast, this would make you a safer paddler. You'll build more powerful muscles with the constant playing and what not. Your awareness of the boat in the water, how it reacts to the water and what the water can do to you and your strokes will improve too.

BUT, on the other hand, if you have no interest what so ever in playing then go for the Habitat. Very cool boat, I had a look at both sizes at our local shop on Friday. The paddling style will be a little different but you'll get used to it pretty quickly.

If you are still having problems with packing stuff in, then maybe your gear is not small enough. Just getting a really small sleeping bag can already make a big difference. I have no idea how cold it is where you camp though. In SA, it's usually not cold in summer. Remember you can pack a small dry bag in front of the bulkhead on many boats too. Put like a stove or some food, or something heavy but low in volume up front.

Buying more boats is a problem I can relate to too. Just ordered number 4 on Saturday... Bank account taking some more strain

Good luck and have fun!

AT,
Thanks so much for the reply ! Your advice REALLY makes sense. Id never really looked at the EXTRA benefits which you mentioned concerning a play boat. I had thought of trying this type of boat in the future. (but the distant future) considering I was so new to the game. But ...again your logic really does make sense. Sounds like a play boat would open up yet another source of all out fun on the water. But just as important (if not more), it sounds like one perfect training tool. Plus.....doesn't every yaker need a river runner, creeker and a play boat ? I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this. At present I only have the Diesel. A river guide once asked me....How many Kayaks does a kayaker need ? His answer.....One More.
What do you think of this.....I go ahead and pick up the Habitat 80. ( I really do like this boat ). Then start reading up and getting educated on the current offerings of play boats. I have a Mad River Canoe thats just been in the way for the last 3 years. Since this kayak thing bit me , I doubt it will ever again see little if any use. I'm sure it will sell easy. I got this feelin....A different breed 3rd Kayak is in my near future.
Do you have any suggestions as to a particular Model, brand size etc. ? Ive got a Eric Jackson DVD and in it he states that a (River Running Playboat ) is best. I take him to mean that a full bore play only boat, isn't the best choice for a newbie river runner. I would probably be more of a...... stop a while and play then continue on down river type, as compared to many who seek out particular spots for extended play sessions.
My head is clearing now. Now if my Wife will just let me live.
Hey....Thanks again for your help!

Forgot to mention it will also make you VERY aware of your edges. Something useful in running rivers. You won't be sorry with the Habitat. Go for it.

I see your dimensions are pretty similar to me, a touch shorter and a fraction heavier. There is always a big debate between a pure playboat and a river running playboat. It usually opens a small can of worms here and also what boat is hot and whats not. There are so many excellent boats out there, the choice can be tough. Seeing as though you already have a Wave Sport and assuming you are fully satified with their products, I'd say, go for the EZG60 as a river running playboat. I've had mine for about 6 months and love it! My review is on the front page at the moment, I think.

As a pure playboat I'm not sure. Sure some other people would give their input. The Project is a good boat without a doubt. I've had my ZG54 for more than 2 years and still enjoy it. Very good on a wave.

I would say, that every one needs at leats two boats. Two is really the way to go if you can afford it. Three is also a good idea. I feel for students! And then the garage starts getting packed with other toys, bicycles, motorbike, windsurfers... ahh, the list goes on. You only live once, so live it right... I'm sure Chris has a large collection of boats, and also Denzil.

AdrianTregoning wrote:

Buying more boats is a problem I can relate to too. Just ordered number 4 on Saturday... Bank account taking some more strain

Good luck and have fun!

Lol im down to 5 at the minute! IF you want a boat which is good for overnighters paddles grade 1-3, maybe a bit of 4 later on, why not look at an open canoe such as the mad river range. Seriously you could carry as much gear as you want a couple of crates of beer ( not that i condone drinkin on a river ) a dry bag witha tarp sleeping bag etc and a bbq if you desire! (doh just realised you have one so no excuse great fun!)

Oh and if you get cramp you can stand up and stretch. the habitat is a bigger boat but your diesel is allready well suited for what you are doing right now it is a nice boat with enough space for a tarp decent small sleeping bag thermarest down 1 side, and compact stove such as msr windpro pots food water on the other.

On the river runny playboat side try something that feels comfortable for you I liked the CR125 im 75kgs over the EZG as it had more volume and was comfier, the ezg was more playful and easy to throw around on the flat, makes the strong eddy lines a fun place to be! It was too similar to my playboat but not quite as playful and not much easier down river. The CR was great down river very balanced stil played well on the waves and holes and I could get decent river shoes inside like teva Gammas so portages were better, safer and more pleasent than if i was crammed in with just socks for cushioning

Hope this isnt too long winded and helps

Chris

Hey Guy's,
Thanks for all the feedback. What the heck would we do without the net?
The idea of an open canoe, specifically the Mad River Rage, did indeed inter my mind (and dreams). Saw a 65+ year woman paddling one with ease last year through Silo Rapid on The New River. She had a smile on her face a mile wide. However, during the last year Ive become a dyed in the wool kayak nut. This may change as the whitewater bug bites harder, but right now I want to master (best I can), the kayak. Sold my Mad River Explorer yesterday as a matter of fact. Poor boat just hung around unused for much too long.
I did purchase the Habitat 80 last week and have used it twice thus far. Both times on Class II and a bit of III. I can honestly say I feel it will fit the bill exactly, for what I will be using it for this year. Then if I progress fast enough ....a full blown creek boat next year.
My personnel findings:
I (think) my Habitat is a bit faster than the Diesel. It has MUCH more room in the stern. It is VERY VERY comfortable. It seemed very responsive, though not as much as my Diesel. What really surprised me was the ease of rolling. Better than the Diesel. Probably the displacement hull and higher volume. The secondary stability was also much higher than the Diesel. The long and short of it is....I'm VERY happy with the boat. I'd say I'll use this one for many a year to come! Thanks again for all the input !