Suggestions welcomed for OC-1 for class II-III

[Btaylor]

I'm looking to add to my 4 boat garage, thats where I store them, but they all get used regularly on easter rivers, W. PA rivers mostly. I've been paddling rivers up to class II for 44 years, I'm 59, 5'10 225 # and advanced at those water skill levels, and intermediate on class III. I was active past 10 yrs in scouting and brought my paddling interest with me, culminated their eagle scout final trip after several years of instruction on flat water, to a week trip with outfitter on the Madawaska ON, CN. It was a"hoot", I learned new skills, and the boys not only learned, but 3 of them are buds for life and continue their love of the river in both canoe and 2 as well w kayaks. My son Kyle being one of them, the 12 mi. river trip, thru 8 differerent types of rapids for us all in open tandem boats was priceless. It spawned this interst to go back their 1x a yr min. and run our local rivers at higher spring flows. Any suggestions on boat choice. I've beat the internet, checked blogs, watched 50 or more ww videos, and I'm leaning in the direction of an esquiff Raven, or probe 13. I like the outrage x, but appears rocker is more than I need at 6". My plan is to outfit boats w pedestal seat, thigh , maybe dble thigh straps, but use 48" flaot bags. My thought there is I will not be rolling, and look to run up to class III on purpose, you never know 100% though unless you get out and scout, so I'll be doing that as well. I want to be able to lite camp 1-2 days w this boat as well, and be able to paddle flat water on stretches between rapids w/o it killin me. Any thoughts, I'm open to buying new, our local outfitters push the Mohawk line, although I have a Mohawk Nova 16, and Solo 14, I want to get the best boat for my purpose, I'm not into brand, i'm looking for quality of fit and finish, and application for my intended use as primary. Thanks...folks for your suggestions please. My style on river, enjoy reading the water, picking my line, challenging myself to stay with it, but also to react to the unexpected, safely and as under control as possible. I love catching eddies, waiting for my grp, typically my family and firends, ferrying in challenging conditions even a little surfing occaisionally. just to give you some back ground of what I'm looking to do w my boat. Suggestions welcomed!!! Happy paddling...

[Steve S]

The Raven would be a good choice except for your requirement that you be able to carry gear for a 2-day river trip. I think with your body weight and the gear, the Raven, at 11'3", may not handle that well.

A 13-foot boat will meet your requirements better. The Probe 13 would be a good choice. In the Esquif line, you might consider a Vertige (12'10").

The Outrage X is a high performance boat for larger paddlers. With a width of 25.5", it is much narrower than the other boats already mentioned. It gains performance by giving up some stability. I'm not sure that's what you want when you are carrying camping gear.

If you stumbled across a good, used, low-priced Dagger Impulse or Mohawk XL 13, you might consider them.

Bottom Line, the Probe 13 will probably be your best choice for what you want to use the boat for.