how would a dagger impulse do on richland or hailstone?

[muskrat]

i'm 6'2" 220lb, well experienced 16' paddler, but never owned a ww boat. i've paddled a few shorties here and there and fairly adept at bracing, leaning, and using fancy paddle strokes. so I got that going for me, which is nice. but how 'comfortable' would I be on those creeks?

it's 12'8 with 4" rocker

[Shep]

I think it's less a matter of the boat than time in the saddle. I sold my old XL-13 (which I think of as an "entry-level" boat) to a guy who promptly took it steep creeking. I haven't paddled the Impulse, and I don't know that much about the hull, but I think the advantage of bigger, more stable hull designs on Class IV is that it will be pretty forgiving in the boogie water and resurface well or run drier coming off of drops. Best thing to do is (always the same advice!) borrow one to paddle, and see if it does what you want it to. I expect it will be a relatively fast hull, but won't spin fast enough to catch or fit into the smaller eddies. As long as you use the speed, and scout stuff well enough that you don't need to catch any micro eddies at the last minute, it could be a great boat for something like the hailstone or richland.

Hope this helps,
Shep

[muskrat]

thanks, Shep! I don't know anybody with extra play boats to try out and I'm getting antsy to pull the trigger with spring already being here. by the description of the boat, I think I'd use this one a lot and maybe get a more responsive boat next year if I want to step it up a notch. I did, however, get into an esquif nitro (11.5', planing hull) this past weekend, that was fun... and squirly!

[Crane]

I have taken an Impulse down Richland several times... The downside is its length in tight spots, but the upside is its length in bridging Cindy's Hole...It's the paddler, not the boat. If you ought not be there... don't go!! FYI, I was never a better paddler than when I was in an Impulse... really! Crane

[Steve S]

I've run my Impulse through Cossatot Falls without a problem.

The Impulse is not for sale, but I have a Dagger Genesis that I would be willing to part with. It's actually bigger than the Impulse but is quicker handling. Contact me if you want me to send you pictures. ssheph at sbcglobal dot net.

[muskrat]

Thanks Steve, I'm about to go check out an Impulse in a bit, but I'll keep the Genesis in mind if it doesn't work out, and I got a couple friends looking for ww boats as well.

[Crane]

Both are great boats...