Okay, I'm looking to purchase my first kayak. I am 5'11\" 170lbs. I'm looking for basically looking for something like an all around creek boat. I intend to use it primarily for running small class 1-2 rivers and work my way up. However, we live close to the New River in WV and I will be heading there primarily. I would also like to work my way into surfing and minor playing, etc. I hope to purchase a boat now that will suit my needs for at least a couple years.

Right now, these are the two that I'm looking at:

The Pyranha Attak

pittsburgh.craigslist.org/boa/369278182.html

The pyranha is a 1998 model, but the lines resemble some of the newer models. It is in my price range, but I haven't found many reviews from people who own the boat.

The Liquid Logic Lil Joe

www.kayaksandpaddles.co.uk/canoe/kayak/u...id-logic-lil-joe.htm

I've found a used lil joe (between $6-700) which is only a couple years old and appears to be in great shape, includes skirt and paddle as well. I've found several people who own a lil joe and seem very impressed. I'm inclined to go for something newer.

I think that i'm near the upper weight limit for both boats, but I don't think that will be a problem.

Let me know what you think. Any advice would be really great. Maybe I'm on the wrong path completely. There is just so much out there to choose from.

Hi

With all due respect 700. for a 9 year old boat is not a fair price. The little Joe is a river runner and it is a good boat. As far a play goes I suspect you will outgrow the perfromance of its playabilty in a short time. It will surf and spin but its not really that great of a playboat

I would keep shopping if I was in your current situation...

Either way Good Luck to you

Well, I doubt that I will be doing any real playboating for a couple of years anyway. Until I progress somewhat, I'm going to be primarily creeking/river running. Therfore, I don't think the lil joe would be a bad choice. LIke I said, I've looked at so many different options, now I don't know what to do. I agree though, 700 is too much for the boat. She said she would part with the Pyranha for 550, but I still think that is steep for an old boat. I wouldn't feel too uncomfortable paying the $600 for the lil joe because it is newer, comes with paddle and skirt.

Yes I think that is a fair deal deal for the lil joe (not a bargin by any means) and yes as I mentioned it is a good boat...

happy yakkin

Does anyone have any first hand experience with the pyranha attak kayak. I realize that it is an older model, thus the reason I haven't heard a lot about it. Would like to hear some thoughts though. I would probably be willing to pay around $400 for the attak since it does have paddle, etc. However, I'm still kinda leaning towards the lil joe.

What about the perception phat? I have found one for sale for around $400, w/o paddle.

I don't have any experience with the specific kayaks you've mentioned. But I think newer kayaks are the way to go. The shapes of kayaks have changed a lot over the years, they are more stable, easier to paddle etc. etc. But I think the major advantage is the improvement of the outfitting in the kayak.

If you have the best boat in the world but you're not comfortable in it, then it won't help you. Just one thing to look out for when buying a 2nd hand kayak I think is to make sure buckles, straps etc. aren't perished or broken, and that it is actually comfortable. I bought a 2nd hand playboat and the outfitting continually breaks, and I am continually fixing it. Even when it's fixed it's not that great, because it's an older kayak, the outfitting was never that great. I love the kayak itself, it's just I don't feel I can use the kayak to it's full potential, or paddle to my full potential because of poor, outdated outfitting.

Just something to think about.

Look for something newer. if you want to learn to playboat and surf a little maybe you should consider a used river runner... Dagger RPM, Pyranha Acro, Or something along those lines...Some of the newer designed pseudo creekers have plaining hulls that will help you with playboating a little...

What is probably easier is to look around and then post back with what you found...

Good luck

If it were going to be only between the Attak and Lil Joe, I'd say go for the Lil Joe. It's a much better boat. Would be playful for you but not too playful.

For $600 - $700 you should be able to get something newer, however, so I'd encourage you to keep looking.

Scott
www.100waves.com
DragoRossi USA importer
[mail address protected from spambots with javascript]

www.ARTandWATER.com

Here is a link to the perception phat that I found near me on Craigslist.

columbus.craigslist.org/boa/375561032.html

Looks similar to the lil joe, but it is at least three years older than the lil joe I have found. The lil joe I found is only two years old.

I'm still leaning towards the lil joe. Ideally, I would like to pick it up for less than the $600 price though.

Here is a pyranha s8 that is in my price range also.

A little more on the playful side than I was thinking.

columbus.craigslist.org/boa/373871206.html

Not bad... it isnt the easiest boat to learn in... but definately doable... if i were there... i'd jump on it

Laddie,

which one are you talking about, the perception or the pyranha?

jpeters wrote:

Does anyone have any first hand experience with the pyranha attak kayak. I realize that it is an older model, thus the reason I haven't heard a lot about it. Would like to hear some thoughts though. I would probably be willing to pay around $400 for the attak since it does have paddle, etc. However, I'm still kinda leaning towards the lil joe.

Heya,
Pyranha Attack - brings back memories... The first kayak I bought, about 8 or 9 years ago. Actually I still have it hanging outside my house. Nice little thing, absolutely radical for it's time. It is easy to handle, forgiving, will do for some play.
I wouldn't buy it today though, to many things have changed since. Attack is too muck of a compromise between round hull, forgiving shape and short length for playfulness. You will outgrow it too fast for playing (it'll hold back your leaning curve) and there are much better riverrunners (not to talk about creekers) out there - if you want to go that way.
Hope it helps.
Have fun,
I sure did with my Attack -
D

I've also found this Dagger Ultrafuge. It looks like it may be on the small side for my size. SHould be able to pick it up for a decent price though.

Check it out:

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&a...53&rd=1&rd=1

okay, first off, dont buy the attack. I've hopped in one in a pool and would not recomend it to anybody, it was good in its day, but is day was almost ten years ago. When you say that you don't think you'll be playboating for several years, is that because you don't think you'll be good enough, or that just really isn't where your interests lie? If you want to do a little surfing, i would honestly go with a full on playboat, once you front surf and realize how fun it is in a river runner, you'll be quick to realize that thats all it can do in the surf. If you think this could happen to you, go for the playboat, but if you cant really see yourself doing a whole lot of playboting, i would get creekboat or a river runner. One option that i dont know a whole lot about is the creeker/play option. Boats like the pyranha ammo, riot thunder, and the blisstick scud are all a sort of playing creeker. i dont know anything about these boats, but it sounds like they might be a possibility to.

The best all rounder ever is the PYRANHA I:4.

The only thing you cant doin it is huge creeks and front and back loops.

The best boat i have ever bought.

It is a brilliant boat to learn in.