Hey guys and gals, this is my first post but i've been looking around for a while, everyone here seems to be really helpful and knowledgable so i was hoping someone could help me.

Me:
6'1
235-240
11.5 shoe size
Used to kayak, mostly class IIs and IIIs but haven't done it 10 years or so.

What I'm looking for is something that I can paddle around Raleigh, NC, the problem is that around here there is a lot of flat water and only some class IIs and a couple of IIIs are and the USNWC is 3 hours away, so i need a boat that does a little of everything. Now there aren't too many places around here that even sell boats and one of the places has a used Liquid Logic Remix79 that they are dealing on. I'm not set on that boat, just wanted to see what you guys thought about it (and what you think of it working for my uses) and if you had any other suggestions on boats I should look at, because I know nothing. Thanks so much in advance, can't wait to start hitting the water again.

Chris

hybrid: Remix XP9, XP10, Pyranha Master TG. WW: Jackson Kayak Super Fun, Fluid Spice L, Pyranha Ammo. Also, what is your hip size, not waist size? Almost all kayaks have a 19" wide coaming, but the JK Superfun is 21 3/4" wide. Also, the JK Thigh braces are much wider than any other boat that i've seen. Go to the USNWC and go to the whitewater sampler class. www.usnwc.org/Kayak-Instruction.html

i'm not quite sure what my hip size is, i'll work on finding that out, thanks for the other suggestions

You're about my size then. I always told people I'm not big, but since I started kayaking I learned that kayaks seem to be made for really small people. I haven't really been looking for a riverrunner myself, so I can't give you much advice on that. I can tell you that the jackson superfun (especially the 2007 model) is by far the most enormous semi-playboat out there, it really floats. Would be quite a choice for riverrunning with an occasional play. If occasional isn't good enough, have a look into the fluid flirt L, but given the task description you put up you're probably not looking for that.

The large Fluid Spice is very big...

www.fluidkayaks.co.za/Whitewater_L-Spice.htm

I've got the medium and really enjoy it. It is more river running orientated than play. But of course, it can still cartwheel, loop, and given a fast wave, blunt. Might be worth looking at it.

thanks guys for the advice! The Fluid boats seem a little harder to find here in NC but it looks like we do have one dealer that i'll go check out. It seems that the Jackson Super Fun might be easier to find, but hopefully I can try them both out before making a decision.

Wakawai in Asheville and Appomattox river co in VA are the closest listed Fluid dealers. There is a Great Outdoor Provision in Cameron Village that may be worth going to. Also, the great outdoor that is near me lets you demo boats for free, so you don't spend money trying a boat you don't like.

I just bought a WS Fuse 56 from Appomatox River Co. in Farmville VA. They have a HUGE selection of boats. I went in with a list of about 10 boats I wanted to look at and they had them all but 1. It'd be about a 2.5 hour drive to get there for you, but you'd probably be able to sit in any boat you wanted to.

get TWO BOATS! one for the whitewater and one for the flatwater! you'll probably switch to more whitewater anyways:laugh:

btw: you'd like the JK superfun

2 boats in an ideal world would be great, but since i'm just getting back into the sport, i think i'll stick to one. I'm going to demo the Superfun soon, if it works out (like everyone seems to think it will) than we have a winner. Thanks so much for the advice everyone!

just keep this in mind: you can paddle a WW boat on a lake safely, but you can't paddle a rec/touring boat on WW safely. Therefore, go ahead and get a WW boat first. Also, WS is going to make the new diesels faster for next year and change the volume distribution, so if you don't mind paying full price, you may want to wait until next spring to look at some of the new boats. Some are coming out in October, but the majority of the new boats will be in '09.

Chris,

We are about the same stats

Getting back into the sport??? here would be my list

For all round river running and then creeking:
JK Super Hero
JK Mega Rocker/Rocker (creeker)
Pyranha Ammo
Pyranha Burn L (creeker)
Fluid Solo L (Creeker)
Bliss Stick Mystic (Creeker)

For Great river running / learn to play (id push you this way...and good in the ocean)
JK Super Fun
WS Fuse 56
Fluid Spice L
Fluid Flirt L (more Playful)
Bliss Stick RAD 195 (more playful)

What are you looking to do

I just got back into paddling last year and I wish I picked up a Super Fun... Now I paddle a Wavesport Project 62 and a Pyranha Burn L

Id say demo demo demo and drop me an email if you ever come out to WNC, or hit up the USNWC

GBRmedic (at) hotmail (dot) com

The Pyranha Inazone is good for all rounder. you just need to take the footplate out.

hope this helps

I've been paddling the jackson fun for a while noe. Its a really nice kayak!