C-Forum

I just bought and paddled an Esquif Pocket Canyon. Did the John Day in good water (3600 cfs) which has some Class III. I paddled it solo and it is a fine boat. Very maneuverable and surprisingly fast. It would be slower tandem but still maneuverable. I didn't like the seats, but that is my only grip...

Thanks, Carol, wish I had your skills with the camera. We put on June 17 at 3600 cfs. Different river. Weather was sunny, but cool the second day. Took off 6/19 at noon or so. We kept looking for Clarno rapids but never really identified it. Had a number of good Class III's the first day. I'm sure o...

Nice photos! and trip report. Different river than at 3600 where we actually had some Class III to deal with. We never did identify Clarno, but there were several rapids of the same difficulty on the first day. Rest of the river was very fast water that allowed us to complete the lower trip in 2.5 d...

Thanks, guys, you give a fat old man a hope of finding something to paddle again.
Bill

Has anyone paddled this boat? Looks like a candidate for conversion as an expedition boat to me, an old, fat boater who likes things like Cascades and Blackwaters.
Appreciate the input.
Bill

Phil, I do not engage in baiting and apologize for creating that impression. I was merely addressing you personally. Most of your points are correct and well taken. I was merely trying to point out that this is a newer concept than most composite designs I have seen. Whether it solves all of the pro...

Lean in the offside direction. Keep the paddle on the onside. You'll carve. When you want to stop, stop leaning and shift your weight either to the center or the onside.
Bill

Well, philcanoe, I'd say the science has improved with this design. A three dimensional object has stronger structural properties than a two dimensional one because stress is distributed more evenly, all other factors being equal. This boat is essentially taking a U-shape and converting it to an O-s...

Narrowing the gunwales won't affect the width at the water line at all.
It should make it easier to paddle, but how it affects water coming in, etc. is up in the air.
Try it.
Bill

There was a guy back in the 70's who paddled with Coastal Canoeists in Virginia. I think his name was Teddy Wilcox. He developed a unique way of running big rapids. He'd position his big Grumman at the top of rapid, place his paddle in the floor, grab the gunwales, and put his head down. He rarely s...

Chill, guys, the advice you give someone on a river trip, a long one where a few bad days could lead to a few bad weeks, is different than the "ideal", or theoretical, advice one might give. Jim is a very experienced boater. He sized up the situation and gave advice that works. Might not conform to ...

Cadster is right. This is one way to move the boat on a big river. If the wave is too steep, though, you'll back ender.
Bill

Sorry for the confusing description. You recovery the blade with the power side toward the boat. As for the post above, you can paddle big water with onside strokes and braces only. A pretty defensive way to boat, though, and you have to pay close attention to which way the boat faces so you can bra...

Way to go, Gabe! Knew the roll would come along. On big water the secret is anticipating so you can keep your strong side where you want it. However, you are exactly correct that the offside must be used as a POWER stroke. A lot of people have a weaker offside stroke than onside. It shouldn't be. To...

Did the Lower Box, the easier one, some years ago with good water. It's a run that a competent class III-IV open boater can handle, but it doest have a few spots you'll want to scout. The Upper Box is a different matter.
Bill