Need opinions please.
I can only buy one boat right now and trying to make decision.
Rivers regularly run are:
Big Piney
Mulberry
Cossatot (not the falls yet!)
Little Missouri (when it can be caught!)
Nantahala
Rivers I want to run:
Cossatot falls
Richland
Hailstone
Ocoee (eventually)
I like to surf some and willing to learn tricks but mostly just like to be on the river having fun.
Weight 165 lbs.
Height 5’9”
I'm older than most - 46
Choosing between these two boats:
Jackson Fun:
54 gallons, 29 lbs.
I have paddled this one and it fit well. Don’t want to get sucked into every hole though.
http://www.jacksonkayak.com/kayaks/prod ... =funseries
Jackson Rocker:
80 gallons, 43 lbs.
Have not paddled this one but the volume might keep me out of trouble.
http://www.jacksonkayak.com/kayaks/prod ... ckerseries
I’m leaning toward the Fun but don’t want to totally limit myself.
Would the Machine on the Tot take me for an unwanted ride?
Would the Fun be No Fun on Richland?
What do you think?
River Runner/Playboat vs. Creek Boat
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okieboater
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- Posts: 1944
- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 9:21 pm
- Name: David L. Reid
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I cannot advise you on either of these boats. Have not paddled either.
But I had a very similar discussion some time ago a NOC instructor.
What he essentially said, " the new edged short boats give you instant feedback when you do something either good or bad, which makes for faster learning".
His theory being people learned a lot faster in the short edgy boats than the more user friendly ones.
But I had a very similar discussion some time ago a NOC instructor.
What he essentially said, " the new edged short boats give you instant feedback when you do something either good or bad, which makes for faster learning".
His theory being people learned a lot faster in the short edgy boats than the more user friendly ones.
Okieboater AKA Dave Reid
We are not sure when childhood ends and adulthood begins.
We are sure that when retirement begins, childhood restarts
We are not sure when childhood ends and adulthood begins.
We are sure that when retirement begins, childhood restarts
I have a Dagger Animas that I have been paddling a little but originally I'm an Open Boater with a Dagger Caption outfitted for tandem or solo. I think you have seen me out there on the Cossatot.
The Animas is too long for what I want and outdated. The Caption is a great boat but I want to expand my opportunities for river fun.
You're Dennis P. aren't you?
Are you coming out to Canoe School?
The Animas is too long for what I want and outdated. The Caption is a great boat but I want to expand my opportunities for river fun.
You're Dennis P. aren't you?
Are you coming out to Canoe School?
Dean,
For what you are describing I would go with the Fun or 4 Fun. It will be a much more versatile boat and a lot more "fun".
I paddle a 4 Fun and also own a Rocker. The Fun series would be a great boat on everything you list with Richland as an exception. Upper Richland is a true steep creek and requires skills and proper equipment.
Not saying that Richland can't be paddled in a Fun, especially by an experienced and skilled paddler; but it's not the ideal boat.
The Machine on the Tot can take anyone on an unwanted ride but your skills will be more valuable than your boat, unless it is a micro play boat.
You will get many more opportunities to paddle the other rivers you have listed than Richland. The Fun, especially the 2007 series, surfs, spins, goes vertical and is capable of doing many tricks. At the same time it has good primary/secondaty stability, rolls easy, punches holes fairly well and actually boofs great.
The 2007 Rocker is a great creek boat and that's it. It front surfs o.k but that is not really what creek boats are for.
Hope this helps. You are welcome to demo one of my boats if we can meet on a fairly easy run (Cadron, Rockport, Mulberry, Big Piney).
Hope this helps.
For what you are describing I would go with the Fun or 4 Fun. It will be a much more versatile boat and a lot more "fun".
I paddle a 4 Fun and also own a Rocker. The Fun series would be a great boat on everything you list with Richland as an exception. Upper Richland is a true steep creek and requires skills and proper equipment.
Not saying that Richland can't be paddled in a Fun, especially by an experienced and skilled paddler; but it's not the ideal boat.
The Machine on the Tot can take anyone on an unwanted ride but your skills will be more valuable than your boat, unless it is a micro play boat.
You will get many more opportunities to paddle the other rivers you have listed than Richland. The Fun, especially the 2007 series, surfs, spins, goes vertical and is capable of doing many tricks. At the same time it has good primary/secondaty stability, rolls easy, punches holes fairly well and actually boofs great.
The 2007 Rocker is a great creek boat and that's it. It front surfs o.k but that is not really what creek boats are for.
Hope this helps. You are welcome to demo one of my boats if we can meet on a fairly easy run (Cadron, Rockport, Mulberry, Big Piney).
Hope this helps.
Last edited by Mike B on Wed May 09, 2007 5:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Cowper
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- Name: Cowper C
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- Contact:
Based on past experience and other comments, I'd say go with the Fun or maybe even a 4Fun. The creek boat won't play and surf as well, and based on boats and rivers you mention, I don't think you'd have to paddle a creek boat to step up to the rivers you named.
On Fun vs. 4Fun, ask yourself, are you going to try doing vertical play moves, or do you just want a boat that surfs great? A Fun is not as easy to cartwheel as more radical play boats, so if that is on your agenda, you need to at least stick with the Fun and maybe consider the Star series. If you were considering a creek boat anyway, then the 4Fun will still have edges for great surface play moves, and a little more volume to aide river and creek running characteristics. The 2007 models have a bit more volume than the earlier generation, but looking at their specs, your "naked" weight is still in the ball park for either boat. If I take your "winter gear, wet" weight, you will be above the ideal river running range for the Fun, and still in the optimum river running range for the 4Fun.
On Fun vs. 4Fun, ask yourself, are you going to try doing vertical play moves, or do you just want a boat that surfs great? A Fun is not as easy to cartwheel as more radical play boats, so if that is on your agenda, you need to at least stick with the Fun and maybe consider the Star series. If you were considering a creek boat anyway, then the 4Fun will still have edges for great surface play moves, and a little more volume to aide river and creek running characteristics. The 2007 models have a bit more volume than the earlier generation, but looking at their specs, your "naked" weight is still in the ball park for either boat. If I take your "winter gear, wet" weight, you will be above the ideal river running range for the Fun, and still in the optimum river running range for the 4Fun.
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