C-Forum

I learnt to paddle c1 in a converted QK Bandit - 24.8 inches wide (but probably quite a lot less in the water as it has a really round hull and I'm too light for it.) I loved it, but everyone else I knew hated it (they were all buttboaters.) For a beginner, probably a really bad choice. For a confid...

Looking at buying a Dagger Aftershock so need some advice! Would this be a good boat for someone my size (5'7", 135lb)? I've never open-boated before but want to get into it. I usually paddle a c1 dagger gradient or bliss-stick rad185. Let me know what you think.
Anna.

Where are the anchor points for those straps? I tried outfitting my allstar a while ago but found the plastic too soft to attach straps to the seat anchor points (the whole boat just flexed too much if I put any weight on them.)

In our club, the theory was for the guys to bring along their girlfriends. Apart from that, once we had a couple of girls who were serious about paddling (NOT socialising) more followed. It's harder for girls to break into a group that's mostly guys than if there's already girls involved. Unfortunat...

Hi, does anyone know how a Dagger CFS goes as a c1? I'm looking to do mostly steep creeking and weigh 147 lb. At the moment I have a Wavesport Stubby that I plan to convert as my creekboat, but a really good deal's come up for a CFS. Should I buy it and sell the Stubby (can't have both, already have...

A slightly too small boat won't give you a lot of extra throw-around-ability, just extra twitchiness. I paddled a RAD 185 c1 for quite a while, this was 2 whole boat sizes too big for me, but I was still able to flatwater clean cartwheel it. They were pretty low angle cartwheels, but this boat is on...

If you've got the money, go for one of the 2010 Jackson star series - I use the All-Star but I'm quite a bit lighter than you (147lb.) It's an awesome boat, way faster than what you'd expect for the length and super smooth. I almost had it cartwheeling in the pool before I converted it - this is kne...

I have a converted Bandit which is a similar design to the Dancer. Really good to learn to roll in because it's so round, I found it quite stable for me - I'm 145 lb. and took the boat on up to grade 3 water (could have done higher if it weren't for structural defects in the hull.) However, this is ...

I use the NRS Kicker shoes - have a thick enough sole for tough portages etc, but still fit in everything, even my too-small slalom boat. They're really low-cut around the ankle, so easy to lay your feet flat. Watch out for cheap Walmart etc. shoes, I managed to lose 2 pairs downriver on one trip - ...

I can handroll my C1 RAD 185 with handpaddles fairly reliably - but my latest boat is a Jackson All-Star C1 that I can handroll, without handpaddles and without my straps/bulkhead/anything. I originally learnt to handroll a buttboat, but use the same technique - however my handroll is still variable...

Hi, I'm looking at getting a creekboat to convert to c1. Anyone know what a Wavesport Stubby would be like? I'm 65kg (that's 143lb)
Thanks

I'm 65 kg (that's 143 lb) so proabably too light for the SCUD by the sound of that.
Gwyn, I'd love to try the boat, but am in the South Island so probably not possible.
I've also just been offered a Wavesport Stubby - anyone know what this would be like? It looks like it would make a good c1.
Thanks

I'm looking at getting a creeker to convert to c1. I have the choice of a Bliss-Stick SCUD, MAC or Mystic. Has anyone converted any of these boats? Any suggestions on what I should get?
Thanks

Pretty hard to have a playboat with your weight too far forward and still be able to get a deck on, if it's a conversion. It's a lot easier to be too far back by mistake, but really the only way to get it right is trial and error (hopefully not too much error!)

You have to try it on the water to check if the boat is balanced, otherwise you might find you're paddling down a rapid on your tail, in which case you may soon be swimming down said rapid. (Better to have you weight too far forward than too far back, a tail-happy playboat will be super-tippy and ha...