C-Forum

In order acquired

* = still have

Coleman 13 ft solo
Old Town Canadienne kevlar
Mad River Courier
Dagger Encore*
Perception Torrent*
Wenonah Rendezvous kevlar
Merrimac Baboosic*
Wenonah Prospector 15 (set up solo)*
Dagger Rival*
RTM Disco*

59 (+1 more in April)

Paddlin' whitewater class II/easy class III since 1990. Still have the Encore that got me hooked. Son 32 has OC1'ed since age 8, wouldn't touch a kayak.

My biggest problem is balancing paddling with triathlons. If I had to choose, paddling wins!!

The only advantage is that it gives the most enjoyment. If you don't like it more than other modes, sore knees, bailing, etc. aside, well then, you might as well switch over. Same with telemark skiing. It's hard to win an argument on how either open boating or telemarking or an advantagous choice t...

Thanks to all. I'm still curious what year these pink boats were made. Hey Stingray, any chance of sending some photo's to my email? dan_lablanc@pepperidgefarm.com Danny: I bought mine in 1991 , great Encore pink (officially "fuschia") with wood gunwales (since re-done), blue outfitting (saddle, th...

just got one sent from Bethesda MD. to Arkansas, cost was $370 crated, and shipped. YELLOW FREIGHT.. it came on a palette wraped with plastic, and in a cardboard box. Hi, Bob!! Nice to see you're posting here too!!! In my search this summer for a new OC1 I got dealer quotes from $250 - 300 for "spe...

Bargains and "the right boat" seem to be of interest. Classics draw response. On the Arkansas Canoe Club site, an Encore ($300 outfitted) sold in 4 hours last week, but an Impulse has had no forum response since Sunday. In April I picked up an Encore, same site, outfitted for just under $400. This l...

Sounds fabulous. Any contact info? Thanks!

This message board is WAY SPECTACULAR!! Thanks to everyone for their thoughts on an Encore clone! A paddlers OC-1 is such a MAJOR part of their life that it's gotta be just right!!! I've got my wife's blessing for a summer trip to the NOC to try out boats, probably take an OC-1 clinic too. With y'al...

The many responses are very much appreciated and help sort through things and make some priorities to test paddle. Seems like the Spark and Outrage are getting a lot of recommendations, plus I've pm'ed Kaz. There's just nothing like enjoying the power and nuances of the water (eddies, peel outs, fer...

Appreciate the responses. I actually did have the Raven (seems to have had good reviews) and the Spark (wondering about my 195 - 205 pounds) high on my list. Probably I can paddle a few strokes in a Spark in May; have to figure out how to try a Raven, maybe at NOC. I've always had such wonderfully h...

"Louie" as in the recent Canoe/Kayak magazine story!!

Thanks for the quick responses. Keep em coming. It is an honor beyond fathom to have the legendary Louie, whose posts I've enjoyed so much, answer!! Congrats on the Encore, too. And I'll definitely contact Kaz at Millbrook. Good idea.

I'm researching for a new OC-1 for this summer or fall to retire my beloved 1991 pink Encore to "collector's item" status. Recommendations on potential new boats with similar performance characteristics would be greatly appreciated by this 60 year old, 200 lb. 6 footer!! I love its quick-turn, spin-...