C-Forum

This is all very helpful! Thanks for the feedback.

I agree with the others.

I now use my Vertige for self supported multi day whitewater runs and I've done the same in a Rival.

... these...unless you plan to carry a lot of gear or paddle a lot of flatwater. The Impulse is definitely more boat than this paddler would want. The Rival is quick and responsive. The Vertige is stable and forgiving. The Vertige would be an easier design to jump in and have fun as a new paddler. ...

Hi all- I'm looking for a performance comparison for these three boats: Esquif Vertige v. Dagger Rival v. Dagger Impulse. The boat would be for a 5'8"/150 lb person. Any experience and opinions appreciated. We picked up a used Vertige this Spring. My experience so far is ...

The Rival would be the most performance orientated, followed by the Vertige with the Impulse a distant third.

Hi all- I'm looking for a performance comparison for these three boats: Esquif Vertige v. Dagger Rival v. Dagger Impulse. The boat would be for a 5'8"/150 lb person. Any experience and opinions appreciated.

... never found a need to adjust a saddle...back or forth in the boat... based on my height. That said, if I was going to place a seat in a Rival, I'd check Mike Yee's website...on how he recommends measuring for the Rival. If it's not available on his site, try emailing him. He knows his ...

i've done an early spring cold temperatures 3 nights on class II/III river in a Rival and I found it surprisingly fast. I think even with the extra gear weight it's a much better ride than the XL you mentioned. I also know someone close to your weight who have done ...

The Shaman paddles fairly similar to the rival and is wuite fast as well. If you truly are only packing 50lbs gear I think both would be fine

You could go up to 15' and get a Millbrook ME. I've done overnights on the San Juan and the Dolores (Slickrock) with a similar Mad River Synergy, and even with water, the boat's maneuverability was only mildly compromised. Allow for the possibility of repairs and put together a kit for them. Practic...

... and Hemlock Shaman). Also at least the Defiant seems to have lower volume ends. So as a compromise I started looking at the higher volume ended Rival even though it is shorter than my initial specs in hopes volume in the buoyant ends might offset the shorter length. It is very light and about ...

... tripping. I paddle a 13' Dagger Genesis and the boat doesn't feel that much different with or without the gear. My guess is you could do in it a Rival, but would probably prefer something bigger. The caveat: I've never paddled a Rival, only seen them. So I only know half of what I'm talking about ...

My question is whether or not the Rival has enough volume for a self support load. I'm short but weigh 200#'s and will potentially have a gear load in the 50# range (occasionally higher with water). I'll use the boat on Class 2-3 rivers for ...

Thanks for the tip. Yes, I have used a variation of that in-water technique to determine saddle position to provide proper trim for asymmetrical hulls. What I have usually done is to float the empty hull in the water and place wide tape strips parallel to and just above the water line, then get in t...

My advice based on just doing this for my Howler. Presume the gunwale in the middle, by where it says Dagger, should be level. Launch the boat and bring a bubble level with you. Put the bubble level on the gunwale and shift your weight back and forth until the bubble shows level. Then, test paddle t...