I've been paddling canoes and kayaks for along time, well since I was about 5. I'm 30 now:ohmy: I've done some small white water class 1-2 in the past in an old hydroform fiberglass ww circa 1978. i got together with some freinds this year and got bit by the ww bug. After a few outings in the old stinkyak I bought a used riot astro 54. We have since been running anything we can find. We have hit a few class 2 to 3 rivers and the playboat did well I find it very stable and easy to paddle. We did a III to IV last weekend and still performed great. I do not have to much interest in the playboating stuff more river running and drops. Do you guys think this boat can handle the class Iv stuff and running well enough? I was looking at some creekers and think that is more my style. Also the levels in the rivers are on the low side right now I'm worried about handling in faster water river running in a playboat. Also I think a higher volume ride would suit me more. On the larger drops I've done I felt like it was a little too deep in the water for what they were. Also I'm 5'8" 165lbs. By the way I say begginer due to seat time, I can roll well and handle the classes I have run. Just looking for some insight as to if I should get a creeker. I plan on going out to test float some this weekend if I get a chance but the store only has flat water to float them in.

In most cases, demoing on flatwater should be fine. Although you won't be able to see how it performs in pushy water, you can still test the manueverability, speed, rolling, etc. One advantage of a creeker is that it will not get caught in a hole as easily as a playboat. Also, most have displacement hulls, which you may find harder to paddle. Some boats that you might want to look at are a Bliss-Stick SCUD, Pyranha Ammo, and the Riot Sniper 65, since they have the handling of a playboat with the size/volume of a creekboat in some cases. Also, most playboats paddle fine in class IV water. What traits do you want in a boat? hull shape, outfitting, durability, manueverability, speed, boofing capabilities, etc?

looking for boofing ability maneuverability outfitting planning hull, but still have decent speed the ammo looks good so far I'll have to see what i can test ride. being able to manuver in tight spaces quickly is one trait I need in a boat. Th astro carves and turns on a dime. Thanks for the insight. i have paddled a displacment hull the ol;d kayak I have is a displacement hull, it is harder to paddle for sure, but has its advantages as well.

bliss stick scud or mystic
Jk hero
Pyranha ammo, burn
Fluid solo

I can attest to the solo and burn boofing like a champ...the displacement hulls do soften the landings but I still prefer semi displacement or plaining

Demo as much as you can... I would definately look at the mystic, burn and solo

Just out of curiosity, why do you want a new boat? If you like the way it paddles, you might as well keep it. Also, the Futalefu, Zambezi, etc. are run with playboats, so as long as you aren't going off of large drops, you should be fine. Also, even though the WS plastic is terrible, they have some of the best outfitting, and the new Diesels (60, 70, 80) are supposed to have more speed. www.endlessriveradventures.com/news?module=news&showitem=138

OK I tried a few out and purchased a Jackson hero on clearance it was a 2007 model. Wow this thing is great! fast agile and still carves well. the outfitting is so comfortable! the main thing about river running in my astro was in shallow water it sucked. I was getting hung on rocks and when I say hung I mean boat stopping in the weirdest places, like last weekend I was tryin to carve and boof off a 3 foot drop and got hung a bit on the rock I was trying to avoid and over the drop upside down I went:woohoo: . Also when I was hitting rapids my buddies noticed my furious paddle due to it being slow. all in all the Jackson does all the things I want. I took it out in class 1-2 and it was great. the real test will be this weekend at moose fest. Thanks for the input guys, gals. I do notice the stability in the Jackson has more secondary than initial but hey it is a whole different type of boat. Anyone want to buy an astro:P ?