CREEKER ADVICE WANTED

[sugarmtngal]

I am in the market to purchase a creek boat, I'm under 130lbs, 5'6" or so and need a boat that will take me down places like, Cossatot, Hailstone, Crooked Creek, Nantahala, Animas, etc....................yup, I'm addicted to doing more creeks and faster rivers........
I've heard the Dagger Nomad is a great one.........however, I was advised to start with a used and even older creeker......................

All feedback is welcomed.

I kayak an Eskimo Kendo I, which is 8.5' and the stern always gets pulled frequently by eddies! This past weekend I got pulled again.............

[Karla]

I love my Jackson Hero

Karla

[Boofaholic]

my wife paddles a perception java on on 3-4+ and loves it. great used creekboat for smaller paddlers.She is 120 and loves the fit.prob. can find one cheap on bt.For something more modern , and if your talking about overnighting on the animas I would go w/ the nomad 8.1, i have a friend who loves hers for up to class 5 and especially for exp. boating and you can prob. find one for cheap also if you go used.Let the hero love continue!

[Renee H]

Gretchen,

Are you looking for a full on creek boat (displacement hull)? I used to paddle a Kendo and it's a displacement hull, so switching to a planning hull took some getting used to. Anyway, for the types of creeks you are talking about running, I would consider getting a river runner/creek type boat such as a Wavesport Diesel, Little Hero, Mamba or something similar. If you don't want to make the switch to planning hull because you are used to your Kendo and how it paddles, you may want to look at the Jackson Punk Rocker (Sabrina Mellor has one and loves it)! Best bet is to try to demo a few boats. Hope this helps, Renee

[Heath]

I will have to go with Joe on the Java, I have been in one for the past 3 years. only reson I am getting a different boat is because I am on the high end of the weight range. I trully wish there was a bigger Java.

later Heath

[sugarmtngal]

Karla, Renee, Heath!
Really appreciate your feedback ........ It was also recommended that I try a Prijon Creeker 225! I wish there was a store like Victoria Secret because they can size me up with the perfect most comfortable bra!
"it's all about the fit and manuevering, eh.........?" I'll be trying out some of these boats at canoe school (if I get free time from Diane! )

Renee, thanks for educating me on the hull specs..........I 'm a still learning......

[Cowper]

As you demo and get advice from others, keep in mind that you will be at the low end of the weight range for many of the most popular / best loved boat models. While on some creeks the extra volume will be comforting, if you get on really pushy water, the boat will get pushed around by the currents and you'll be taken along for the ride whether you want to go in that direction or not. This thought is already in Renee's message above, when she suggested the Little Hero and Punk Rocker were among the models you might want to consider.

If you are not planning to run anything "extreme", and just want a boat that is safer when you are on water you don't want to run in your regular play boat, then consider getting one with the hull type (planing or displacement) that most closely approximates your regular play boat.

[sugarmtngal]

Cowper and the others! Thanks for all the expert advice; yea I'd like to go extreme, eventually.....
Going to paddle the Prijon Creeker 225 this weekend to see if that is a good one for me. See you at Canoe School if you are going!

[turboturtle]

Wurd