Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Hello to all;
I have been canoeing for 40 years, kayaking for 12 years, mostly class 1-2. I am a year round paddler. I have a Wilderness systems- Zephyr, and a Prijon- Yukon expedition
I have allways wanted to do some real whitewater, so i recently bought a prijon chopper, new, never been in the water yet.
I am 6' + with a 34" inseam. size 14 clown shoes. 190lbs
My questions are -
i am having trouble getting my feet into the small footbrace/bulkhead area, if i move the seat back it is very slightly better.
It seems that the whitewater boats are either really small, or really cavernous. I am on the cusp thinking this boat is too small for me, allthough the specs are in my weight range.
How far can i move the seat and still have a balanced boat ?
What are the negative aspects of this boat?
Can you actually creek with this boat as the "HYPE" i pasted below?
Any bomb proofing i need to do to it?
I bought a rear floatation bag, should i put one in front of the footbrace?
I am at lake of the ozarks, Missouri. Anyone up this way who would give rolling lessons?
Anyone who would be willing to take a newb on some first timers trips??
I do not know any whitewater paddlers here, and so wading through the gear choices, and hype, it is difficult to get things squared away, and remain a safe paddler.
Thanks for your replies, and advice. George



Hype
Chopper With the wind in your face, the 9'8" Chopper will ignite your paddling experience. Big bow, big stern and big on predictability, the Chopper delivers. Weave your way in and out of boulders on steep creeks, in big water whether loaded down or not. The Chopper features a forgiving profile for maximum stability, subtle keels for unmatched tracking, a long waterline for amazing acceleration and an even rocker for surf and play. This river hog is ready for you to collect your gear for day and especially multi-day rides. Outfitting includes an adjustable rodeo seat and backbrace, snug-fit thighbraces, bulkhead footbrace, swirl foam pads, adjustable crotch pad and the internal space to accommodate large and small paddlers alike. Molded-in grabloops prevent envy inspired theft.

I own a Chopper. Full disclosure I also own 7 or 8 more kayaks, two rafts and two canoes and lust after a Rendezvous solo canoe as well, just low on space and disposable income. My Chopper is just one of several designs I have kept.

My stats are 205 lbs weight, six feet tall

The chopper is one of the best all around river tripping kayaks I have ever owned.

I got mine to do self support multi day trips on western rivers.

I have zero problems with foot room on my boat. It may be that your seat is in the wrong position. Size 14 feet are gonna be a tight fit in most kayaks. The only kayaks I have with more foot room than my Chopper are Jackson Mega Rocker and Super Hero. I would not recommend the Mega Rocker to a beginner WW boater as it is a true creek boat and requires some attention to go straight on flat water but excels in tight creeking situations. The Super Hero tho might be a really good option for you as far as foot room and river running with the opportunity to get you into creeking in the future.

Generally I like my kayak to be just a tad bow heavy so when I lean forward I can engage the bow to carve into or out of eddies. This works well on displacement designs and may or may not work on some of the new designs.

My advice is to get on flat water. Adjust the seat so you are pretty much level in the water, then adjust your foot braces to fit. Get some boating shoes that fit close to the feet to give you a bit more space. IE like the NRS rodeo neoprene shoes.

I highly recommend air bags in front and back of creek or river running boats. Makes 'em a lot easier to recover if one takes a swim.

The Chopper plastic and outfitting is the most durable out there in my opinion. This is a "old school" design with a displacement hull. A design that I like for all around river running.

I think my Chopper rolls about as good as most others do. I will say the Jackson designs especially Fun or Hero series roll super easy. My suggestion is find some good roll instruction. First tho, make sure your chopper is outfitted properly with proper hip padding (not over tight but snug) and same with the back band.

Advertising hype is mostly hot air, no matter what the manufacturer. The Chopper tho (my personal opinion here) is one of the best all around river runners, safe construction and best plastic available to the general public.

Prijon designs last for a long time, IE they do not change every year. The plastic lasts for ever. Like most German manufactured goods, the Chopper is overbuilt, solid and gets the job done. Your Grandkids will be paddling that Chopper should you keep it in your stable.

The Chopper is one of the larger volume kayaks out there. My opinion, with your winter paddling gear on and loaded, you are perfect for the load recommendations for this boat.

Yup, you can creek in this boat. It will not turn as fast as many of the shorter new creek boat designs but it does creek. Like most displacement hulls the Chopper has good secondary stability and will heel over and carve like a snow ski.

My opinion again but the Chopper really shines doing river running and or big water runs. Took my Chopper down the Main Salmon some years ago and it worked like a champ on that type of water.

I been canoeing, kayaking and now rafting for at least the same years you have. Been through many many boats. The Chopper is one boat that I have kept in the boat shed and will continue to have it there when I need it.

chopper is a classic design. My thoughts are that you should get some instruction on rolling (do it in warm water tho) play around with the Chopper's outfitting till you get it dialed in for your body and finally just get more time in paddling the Chopper both on flat water and some of the neat runs in NW Arkansas. I recommend the Big Piney as a great run to tune up your boats outfitting and your getting comfortable in the Chopper.

Runs like Frog Bayou, Lee Creek and various sections of the Mulberry are also great runs to get comfortable with new boats.

I will be glad to give you tips and am a ACA WW Kayak instructor. But, I live in the Tulsa OK area, but do get over to Arkansas every week end I can. Lots of ACC members in your area and I recommend you watch this board and chime in for some trips. I know Richard does a lot of Buffalo River floats and that might be a great way for you to get into river running. Eric is located in your area and is a long time friend and fellow boater and I know he does quite a few trips.


Hope this helps.

The info is exactly what i need.
have most gear that i need except a good helmet.
I understand the need to roll prior to river time, crawl, walk, run...
I appreciate all advice.
Thanks, George

Chopper is a old school design, big in size and weight a bit due to the heavy duty plastic.

For durability, safe river running and a boat that nevers wears out ( I know of one Prijon that was used a ton, left outdoors finally sold and years later I saw it on a run looking about the same as it did many years ago) given just the minimum of care.

Get to know your Chopper and do the runs I mentioned and before long I bet you feel the same way about your Chopper as I do mine.

I have paddled several Prijon boats over the years. Love the boats, and the bombproof front foot brace. If you can't get as comfortable as you want, I suggest removing the foot brace and installing as solid a section of closed cell foam you can find to fill the front to create more foot room and unparalleled comfort. This also displaces water and provides flotation.
My $0.02

Bob