Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

I was wanting to know if anyone has any experience with the Dagger RPM kayak? I have an opportunity to buy one and would like a little feedback from anyone. I am not that big into whitewater, just the nice relaxing floats along calm rivers and creeks, also possibly as a transporter into a duck hole or too. Thanks again for any info, it is much appreciated.

jrsmith7126 wrote:I was wanting to know if anyone has any experience with the Dagger RPM kayak? I have an opportunity to buy one and would like a little feedback from anyone. I am not that big into whitewater, just the nice relaxing floats along calm rivers and creeks, also possibly as a transporter into a duck hole or too. Thanks again for any info, it is much appreciated.

RPM = Real Paddling Machine. Great boat for learning to roll, down-river training, the Grand Canyon (BIG standing wave surfing). Not a good playboat by Today's standards but will front surf, ender, and squirt like a champ if you know what you're doing and the feature is big enough. Definitely not a creek boat... An RPM is a great boat to have in the quiver, and would definitely do what you just described with ease (maybe even hook you on whitewater). The only thing you mentioned that I wouldn't like is toting a shot-gun around in my boat, I prefer a .45 behind the seat myself :-p... Not sure if a shotgun would fit etc...

What he said! (Arzach that is)

Good review. Second every word.

Not sure how much shopping you've done but the RPM price should be a good value and you can probably resell it when you're ready to change boats. (Or just keep in your boat quiver)

I loved my RPM, its a great entry ww boat, but with it's smaller cockpit size I think pulling out and firing a shotgun may be pretty akward in it.

jrsmith7126 wrote:I am not that big into whitewater, just the nice relaxing floats along calm rivers and creeks, also possibly as a transporter into a duck hole or too.

Back in the Day, I paddled an RPM and loved it. It is a great whitewater play boat, even though designs of recent years are even better.

But let me be clear by saying, for what you say you want, this is the WRONG boat!

If your use is calm rivers and creeks, and sometimes paddling flat water to get to a duck hole, then you need something that is marketed as a "touring" or "recreational" boat, not a "whitewater" boat like the RPM. Another marketing term of interest - "fishing canoe" or "fishing kayak". That term is often used for boats that are a bit wider or more stable, at the expense of speed. But it makes it less likely you'll turn it over, which is really good if you have hundreds of dollars of fishing gear, camera gear, or other valuables on board.

In contrast, the RPM will have a relatively smaller cockpit, is too short to be good for paddling the long pools found on easier rivers, and has limited weight capacity. You'd not be able to sit in it wearing waders or muck boots, not enough foot room. And no place for a long gun, which is bad if you're going to the duck hole to duck hunt.

Thank you guys so much for the input, I truely appreciate more than you know. That being said there is a RPM in the Ft. Smith craigslist under sporting for $225 if anyone is interested not sure if its a gooddeal or not but im on a budget and it was in my range. Told me he would take $200 but I believe I will pass just for safety reasons and experience for now. Again thank you everyone.

What is your price range? I've got a 12 ft Heritage Redfish SOT (sit-on-top) that I'm getting ready to part with that should be a good choice for your use. I was planning on asking $400. It is even duckweed green in color.

I had a RPM and it is the best boat for learning to roll. It has a very small cockpit and scrunches your toes up in the front. You need a boat with a skeg (rudder). I now paddle a Liquid Logic XP9. It has a drop down skeg (with a handle to lower it down or up) on a spring that bounces back up into the boat when you hit a rock. It has lots and lots of room for storage. The XP9 is affordable and gives you the option of paddling easy whitewater in the future. It has the bad a** outfitting (best whitewater seat out there). It seems to roll just as easy as the RPM, and the main disadvantage is that it is relatively heavy. It also isn't as tipppy as an RPM. The XP10 is for big paddlers and has tons of room. Try one at whitewater school. The outfitters will have one there.