Deciding whether to run a rapid or not

[Trismegistus]

BUT -- All well and good but in the real world many folks operate under a different set of guidelines where stupidity and/or ignorance become significant factors in the decision-making process. Alcohol is another big factor.

In fact -- the biggest, hairiest rapids I have ever run in my life -- and not necessarily successfully -- were run long before I even knew how to roll or knew the stern from the bow. Now that I'm older -- and supposedly more wiser -- I'm far more reluctant to push off into the froth. The more I know, the more I have come to fear.

"Don't let peer pressure push you" -- why even take on a big wave if you can't share the experience? Life is all about "push" -- had our parents not have "pushed us" we'd still be crawling around in diapers.

"Don't focus on just the consequences" -- isn't that where the alcohol comes in?

"Never be ashamed to walk a rapid" -- how in the hell can one not be taken aback by this display of inadequacy, this lack of skill? Shame is the pillar of punishment that comes from dragging your boat out of the water and packing it over rocks, trees and bluffs. Anyone who can portage without punishment or any semblance of shame is never going to take the steps necessary to face their fears.

[okieboater]

Gotta throw the flag on that last walking rapids statement!

I have been running the Cossatot since the early 70's - big levels and small levels.

Over the years I have walked the Machine a number of times. Spaced out over all those years.

Sometimes I walked it because of recovering from injury some times because it just did not feel right that day.

Never felt any shame or punishment from my group of buds. I have been lucky, blessed or both to get to boat with a wide assortment of good people who feel the same way I do about getting my paddling butt whupped. IE if for some reason you feel you are gonna get worked, then there is a 99 percent chance you will.

On the other hand, I have successfully run a lot of rapids where I had thoughts that I was not competent or skilled enough to run that day. Either a good friend or guide that knew my skill set was able to coach me and restore my confidence to the point I jumped in and made a good run.

I guess what this proves is having a good paddling bud along to coach you when you need it and understand when you got a bad feeling is as they say price less!

The people you meet and the good friends you make is a primary reason I love this sport so much and appreciate the people who I get to boat with.

[GutIt]

Sorry Freddie!

The RPM does have the edge. It is considered a “transitional chine”. I was thinking more in terms of a planning hull and it’s fully hard chined hull. As you mentioned, it is a nice design in that you have the advantage of using an edge, (if you can manage to dip the tail) but not as easy to trip the boat unintentionally.

In fact this tail is one of the reasons this boat was pretty revolutionary as an early gen. playboat. I had a similar boat during that time. An Acrobat 280 (Pyranha). My wifey poo had a Sleek! Before that I was using a Cruise Control! I remember how excited I was that there was finally some Tupperware coming out that you could actually stern squirt.

I’ll stand corrected on this one! Been a while since I have paddled one of these designs! That’s why my buddy kept his RPM for Trigger! On the top wave he would front surf that thing for days on the “glass”!

And here I thought God gave his Beloved Boaters legs so they wouldn’t HAVE to run every rapid!