C-Forum

... small wing on the right; I'm a righty and paddle stern but it never bothered me). Asking $650

-Roock Schmidt? Wildwater C1 - I think it is a Bala or Bala Mezzana, but could be a No Name. FAR more stable than my old Ace III that's for sure! Wayners old boat as I recall correctly. A few very ...

Height, weight and balance will be big issues. In my opinion (as one of the best mediocre c-1's I know :)) all of the modern designs based on the Bala are narrow, tippy and have a high bow deck, which sounds like it would be challenging in the ocean. The Tiptop, made over here by Dagger and Valley ...

I admit... my used Ace III was by far the most difficult for me... even the Oxygen (and Maven) are easier.

That said, some of the problem may have been the flexing hull. I have a Bala (also a WildWater boat) that is far less terrifying.

C1: This can be split into catagories -
Overall: It's got to be a WildWater boat; I've only used an Ace II, though I'd like to try a No-Name and Bala Playboat: The Crazy 88 is hands down the fastest "modern" playboat convertion I've paddled, for a 6'3" boat it has exceptional downriver speed ...

C1 - Bala (WildWater). very very fast boat. Much more stable than my old Ace III (which was also fast, but on average slow as it didn't like to be upright particularly).

... lengthwise. .

C1
Yes I agree that the C1 is the Roockschmidt from the end of the '70s. If I remember corectly John Butler used one at the Bala worlds. By the way Davey didn't you use an Ace II at Bourg in 86 or was it 87?

Are these good boats? Do they stand up today?
Well I think that, if ...

... look like what Apple Line used for boats they made around 1981. Any idea where it came from? Any labels inside the boat? It might have been used at Bala Wales Worlds in 1981. Apple Line made a lot of boats for the US Team that year.

The cockpit configuration is interesting. The spacing is quite ...

... haste, though if you want the support of one, a foam block and two hinged flaps (see pic below) is a much safer compromise.

http://www.cjbolton.plus.com/misc/ace2.jpg

Edit: the Ace II was designed around the time of the Bala World's ('81) which fits with the idea of an early-mid 80's build date.

... but that didn't work. Usually I can do it alphabetically at least:

Ace III Wildwater (sold)
Acrobat (Master)
Acrobat (Standard)
Amoeba
Atom
Bala (by Roocke Schmidt)
Blackwater
Cascade (#1, sold to buy Atom)
Cascade (#2, when I started "collecting")
Cascade (#3, or rather, #1 which I bought ...

John... here's what I read on page 329 (via the 3rd link)

Cholinergic Urticaria

For two weeks after Bala, Jon did practically no physical exercise. When he started up again back home, he was shocked at the outcome: he broke into hives and had an allergic reaction. This happened every time he ...

... as well.

I can bring along any of the following if someone has an interest in testing it out:
Acrobat (master cut)
Acrobat (standard cut)
Atom
Bala (WildWater boat... you'd have to ask really nice as it is BIG)
Blackwater
Cascade
Centaur
Czech ("modified")
Descender (C1)
Edge
Fanatic II
Groove ...

... museum".... Total appears to be 32, unless I find another one hiding out on the rack;)

C1
Acrobat (master cut)
Acrobat (standard cut)
Atom
Bala Wildwater (I KNEW I'd miss one)
Blackwater
Cascade
Centaur
Czech
Descender
Edge
Fanatic II
Groove
Groove (plastic Riot prototype)
Gyra Max
Hahn ...

... hour and twenty minutes...).

Perhaps I'll do a little timed test around the island tomorrow if I can find the time...hahn vs fanatic:).

I'm actually really looking forward to spending some quality time in the Bala this summer...training and swimming out of it:). After that I should be good to go....

the issue with the Bala is the layup...if I swim, the boat may be destroyed beyond repair. Now I don't usually swim...but at the forecast level, and in a boat I'm not used to, I'm much more likely too. If it was actually, say, STABLE, then I wouldn't think twice about it. BUT, as it's a WildWater boat ...

While I haven't paddled Hudson, nor any of the boats on your short list, I'd say go with the Bala, it'll be the fastest. Since you don't have the time in it that you want, I'd probably lean towards the Fanatic II. If it's uncomfortable, just paddle faster