Pyranha Z One L (and others)

[Wildwood]

Need to know pros/cons of this boat, please. Am looking for ideas of something to use as a crossover from I-II to whitewater/play boat.
Thanks.
Jan

[Cowper]

My two cents: One look at that boat, and I'm thinking it is a boat for someone who knows how to do an eskimo roll. It's got enough edge to be a really good river surfing and play boat, and low enough volume to really engage those edges when you want to. But those edges can also trip you up and have more potential for unintended upsets, than what most folks looking for a "cross-over" boat really want.

At 8'-7" it is also not a great choice for things like the middle or lower Buffalo; something with with a longer hull would be much more pleasant to help get you through those longer pools. Foot room will also be somewhat limited; great by the standards of those of us who have squeezed into a rodeo or play boat, but incredibly small compared to those who are coming from a recreational kayak background.

[Wildwood]

I'm open to ideas for other boats . . . and welcome suggestions.
Thanks.
Jan

[Cowper]

There are so many options, I can't keep up with them all.

Something with a cockpit big enough for easy entry and exit, but small enough to fit with a good sprayskirt when you want to take on some Class II with bigger waves.

Visit OOO; they have a lot to choose from.

Marlo, any comments? (What's that you're paddling?

[Wildwood]

Thanks for your help! I think I've narrowed it down to a Liquid Logic Remix XP 10, with help from Jeremy at OOO. Now to get enough experience to check it out.
Jan

[Jim Krueger]

Jan,
Just thought I'd chime in, now that you have already made the right choice. I don't read the board often, but Jim told me my name had come up, so I checked it out. I don't care for flat water, so can only review the XP10's WW traits. I do in fact paddle a Remix XP10. Great boat! It was built to be a crossover boat and it is rated as a WW boat. With the skeg down, it tracks well on flat water or in long pools and still turns fairly well. Skeg up, and it turns on a dime. It is a very stable boat. The only time I've turned over was when trying to learn side surfing; that wasn't the boat's fault, but the paddler's. It did great at WW school this year. I paddle mostly Class I-II+ though I'm trying to work my way up a little bit. Don't aspire to paddle the really big stuff or creeks, but Jeremy I'm sure told you how well it does in the really big water in the Grand Canyon. You can carry more gear than you need, or you can pack for an over-nighter.

It is a heavy boat for carrying because it is built to take the punishment. I wear a size 9 shoe and can't have my feet straight up and down on the footpegs; they have to be at an angle--heels toward the center bulkhead. The boat is thick from the ground to the cockpit combing, as well as wide. This requires knees bent and spread to reach the thigh braces or sidewalls for bracing. Jim has already added an inch of minicell foam to the braces and sidewalls and that has been very helpful, but something else is needed. I have some ideas, but haven't tried them yet. The seat is comfortable, but the back support was not where I needed it. Jim added more minicell foam under the seat cover that helped. None of these down-side issues outweigh for me the stability and handling of this boat.

There are other crossovers that address one or more comfort issues, but the boat is tippy or they have other issues of their own. The XP10 was the boat for me!

Glad to answer any questions you may have.
Marlo