Paddled an Esquif Zoom!!

[Ryan Viser]

So, I got the chance to paddle Wiz's new zoom on Tuesday. Have to say I REALLY liked this boat. This thing is so small and squirrely that if you even think about leaning w. out a brace, you're gonna be in the water. We went out to Fisher's Ford and just had a blast. The manuverability in this boat is amazing, it's like a crotch rocket. It's really fun to paddle because there's not one second where you're not thinking about exactly what you're doing. If you're not on your toes the entire time then you're probably gonna end up swimming. This is probably a great boat for Wade as he weighs a lot less than I do. But for someone my size, I'm not sure the extra manueverability would be worth the sacrifice in stability. That said, I'd still like to take it down a good class III run just to see how it handles. And I'm also really excited to try out the Detonator. Sounds like it would be a Zoom w. a bit more stability, which might just end up being the perfect boat for me.

Ryan

[Zach]

Why are you swimming?
What happened to your roll?
Just kidding, if you want to swim that's fine.

[Arthur Bowie]

As you move up the Esquif model line into longer boats, you'll find noticable difference in the way they feel.

I have a 13' Blast, outfitted solo, that has the same flat bottom, hard chines, and agressive rocker as Zoom, Detonator, and Nitro. It will be in the mix to sample with some of the Mohawk ww canoes and to contrast with some gentle water canoes of similar size Saturday morning, at lake front at Rendezvous. Come by and try it...

[Ryan Viser]

Zach,

Dangerboy swimming??? What are you smoking? Hehehehe, I'm really gonna get it for that one. Arthur, wish I could make it to rendezvous but unfortunately I'm stuck working weekends right now. Thanks for the offer, I'd love to try out your Blast next time I get a chance!

Ryan

[the wiz]

danger boy doesnt even know how to swim. i, on the other hand, learned real quickly. moving from a 13 foot dagger impulse to a 9 foot zoom is going to take a little getting used to.

[Will Embry]

Squirrelly sums up the Zoom pretty well. My favorite trick is laying on the bow to stretch the knee's, ya that's fun. I find myself upside down more on shallow technical runs than deep water Class III, besides the time I went over the top of table saw, not really sure what happened there. :shock:

[Roy Staggs]

Ryan, you're welcome to try my Detonator out whenever.

[Monsoon]

Man i'd like to sit in a zoom once to see for myself if this will be my next open boat.

[Ryan Viser]

Wow, talk about diggin up an old post. It's been 5 months since anyone posted on this topic. WHERE did you guys FIND this thread, hahahahaha!!!!

[Monsoon]

just diggin' man. looking at old posts I missed from way back when.

[Ryan Viser]

Yeah, I had to do a double take when I saw it, hehehe. I know a few people on here paddle them, so there should be some good folks to talk to. I know Sammy paddles one and has run some pretty cool stuff in it, including Johnson's Squeeze on EFLB, so he'd be good to talk to as well. I hear they're great for creekin.

[RichardL]

I dissagree I saw (with my own eyes) Danger Boy swimmin past me at zig zag on thursday. And he was swimming quite well, as if he has had plenty of experience.

[Monsoon]

Yeah, I had to do a double take when I saw it, hehehe. I know a few people on here paddle them, so there should be some good folks to talk to. I know Sammy paddles one and has run some pretty cool stuff in it, including Johnson's Squeeze on EFLB, so he'd be good to talk to as well. I hear they're great for creekin.

Thanks Ryan...Ok now I know what Johnson Squeeze is. But still....Sammy?

[Roger]

Ryan, ever think about wearing a skirt so it'll fit? Try one of these or get you a yak and convert it.



Might open your horizons.

[Ryan Viser]

Hey Roger, yeah, one of those C1's is definitely on my list to get into. It will probably be the "gateway drug" to kayaking for me, hehehe.

As far as the Zig-Zag shenanigans, yeah, I'll admit I took a small swim. I was in my Viper 11 for the first time on a river and decided I should make a few ferries in the turbulent runout to get used to her. I think between the new boat and not paddling in so long, I made the mistake of leaning upstream a little bit on an onside ferry and in I went. Man that water was COOOOOOLD!!!