Hi there,

Let me (re)introduce myself. I am a 24 year old student (last year, time to start making some money to blow on kayaks) from the Netherlands. This is the sixth year I'm paddling, and I am finally getting arround to that all important next step, a big boat of my own. My small boat is a Fluid Flirt L and I love the crap out of it, so I'm not spending any money on a more modern loop machine until it lost at least half its plastic in one river or another, which leaves me with the feeling I might survive if I spend some cash on a nice creeker.

As the title already indicated I'm not exactly pocket sized, at something like 1.95m or 6'6" long and a weight of probably around 120kg / 260 lbs including all my gear. The only big boat I have any real experience with is the wavesport D75 (diesel). It's a great boat for getting just that bit (or shitload) of extra confidence and stability needed for larger runs, but as with any good drug, just that bit more tends to become just not enough. I have also paddled a Fluid Big Bang for about 20 meters, with in between the first and the last ten meters a seven meter drop. It's probably more or less the ultimate boat for that particular endeavour, but whenever you're not dropping down a waterfall it kind of feels really big. Unfortunately I did not manage to fit myself in the Solo Expedition. Does anybody happen to know if that boat is different from a normal Large Solo? (Perhaps the seat was just too much in front to account for extra weight in the back, but it still sort of disappointed me for being so small.)

By this time you're probably thinking: "What are you looking for in a creeker?" Well, I'm looking for a boat that more or less does everything. It is to be a good choice for both big river running and (beginning) creeking. I am not looking for any kind of "playfull creeker" or another kind of in between model made with skipping the biggest runs in mind. I'd like lots of volume, enough speed and manouverability and preferably all that in a forgiving package. I probably would not mind a bit of rail, as it does help one get where one wants to go, but I'm definately aiming for a more extreme machine than the D75 I'm used to.

So, to get to the point, do you have any tips on boats I could take a look at (and demo, and buy, and be awesome in, but let's not get ahead of ourselves here)?

I noticed the official volume of the Solo L is a lot smaller than that of the competition. But then again the sizes of my Flirt also seem to exceed their official values. Their new Bazooka line looks good too. I'm also genuinly impressed by the Liquid Logic Stomper 80 a friend of mine bought, would the 90 or the Jefe Grande be a good boat? And how about the ZED raptor, is the plastic really better than in the old Zelezny's? And does it perform for heavier paddlers? Or should I just get myself a nice and shiny Jackson?

Any general tips perhaps, what should I overall be looking for in terms of say hull shape (rocker, rail, stern size) and overall dimensions?

Ah, the fun of a good old quest for the best. Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance. I you are on a similar quest of your own, feel free to abuse this topic for asking questions too.

I'm not as tall as you, but just as heavy. I paddle the Large Burn and it handles my weight just fine. I think if I were going to be packing any gear for overnighter, I would upgrade to the Everest.
The Burn is a strong creeker that gives you alot of flexibility in choosing rivers. It will go anywhere. For your size, I would recommend you demo both the Burn L and Everest.
The everest is a little longer and has more volume.
As everyone will tell you, Demo before you buy. Try different mfg.s as they each paddle differently.
Don't be affraid to buy a used boat. There are many good deals on creek boats if you look long enough.
Good Luck.

weirdoinventor wrote: Unfortunately I did not manage to fit myself in the Solo Expedition. Does anybody happen to know if that boat is different from a normal Large Solo? (Perhaps the seat was just too much in front to account for extra weight in the back, but it still sort of disappointed me for being so small.)

The Solo Expedition is the same as the normal large Solo. Just obviously with the hatch and it'll be heavier

I've paddled the large Solo since April 2007. I've also got the Big Bang now. As you know I'm sponsored (biased? ). I'm 6' and 89kg with no clothes or gear. The large Solo is 245cm, the Big Bang 270cm. The new Bazooka large will be 260cm, so perhaps that's a boat to look into. I'm not sure what the volume on the large Bazooka will be. Bobby Miller wrote something on it here:
www.fluid-junction.com/blog/index.php/po...-Solo-To-The-Bazooka

I've not paddled the Bazooka yet so can't comment but it does look very cool

There are loads of other boats/brands to choose from. Try out as many as you can Even if I wasn't sponsored I'd still go with Fluid for the quality alone..

Hi, some input for you,

I am 195, 92 kg, so with gear that will be just below 100 kg.
So weight was not the biggest problem, only long legs and feet. Always an issue to get them stuffed in the boat.
I did my time in a Burn M, which will not fit you, I expect. It cracked twice in 2 years without a very obvious reason so I got fed up with Pyranha plastic. So decided to take something cheaper, an Eskimo Salto. In between I got new Five Ten creeker shoes (pretty big stuff) but still it fit the Salto but no room left. So that's also not an option for you.
With the Salto I also managed to get a hole in the bow so really got fed up with that plastic too and decided to get a new creeker.
German Kanu magazine published their creekertest beginning 2011 and I selected 2 to test:
Prijon pure XL and Zet Raptor.
The Zet raptor was too small for my legs and feet so that left the prijon pure XL. At Bloem als checked the Jackson super Hero, but also, too tight.
First paddle strokes on flat water showed no flaws, the boat was spacious, tons of room for myself, my feet and all kind of luggage. On top of that, the prijon is known for its very solid plastic, so hopefully no cracks in the hull anymore.
But after 4 days of steep Creeking on Sesia tributaries and 3 additional winterdays of paddling in the German Eifel I found out that the boat is too big for me. With < 100 kg the boat is not deep enough in the water to benefit properly from its hull shape.
Last weekend, during the last winter trip in the Eifel, I switched for some hours with a Burn L owner and the good feeling was back.
So decision is made, boat is for sale and I expect to but back an Burn M or L, not sure which but I will have to accept the weaker plastic.

Summary for you: I expect the kanu creeker testers did their job properly and the prijon pure XL is a good creeker for the large to very large paddler. I just happen to be too light You could give it a try, the boat is in Lent, near Nijmegen. Look at kanoforum.nl for the for-sale-offer.

Other alternative: Burn L, only weaker plastic, Burn Shiva, no personal experience but good reviews.


cu, Menno

ps. Burn Shiva is of course Pyranha Shiva M of L. But these are heavy boats (24 kg)

Alternative: Pyranha Everest, with 20 kg less heavy

cu, Menno

Thanks for the replies guys, all three of you gave me some very good information on my options. My quest has ended a bit quicker than I would have thought. Yes, I bought Menno\'s boat. But as I said, thanks for the tips. [/thread]

Cool stuff! I hope you have many happy days in it