For those that don't know me, I was a slalom C-1er for many years back in the late 80's/early 90s. I've kinda grown away from C-boating, even though I still have the same Dagger Zealot slalom C-1 I bought from Chris and Trevor Soileau (River Elf Boats).
Two summers ago I suffered the classic disgrace of a C-boater who basically hasn't paddled C-1 in years—I went to a slalom race in Bend, Oregon (with zero training beforehand). I haven't lost the technique, but conditioning is another story, LOL. I made it down the course fine (and mostly clean) on a couple of practice runs. Then on my first race run, I cleaned the first 8 gates, then came screaming into an offside upstream and flipped. Tried rolling up and couldn't, and only after bailing did I realize I'd severely dislocated my shoulder. (Ouch.) That was a first for me! (It really sucked, LOL.) I still don't know how it happened, but I was extended way out on my offside and went over that way—and something just got torqued badly the wrong way.
ANYWAY...I'm fully recovered from that incident and been doing a lot of long-distance flatwater paddling in a 17-foot sea kayak. Now finally (to the point of my post), I'm missing C-boating and want to get back into it regularly. While my old slalom boat is still in great shape, it's too small for me. I'm very fit but heavy at 5'11" and 220lbs. (I've actually always been too heavy for slalom C-1's designed originally for 170lb paddlers.) And I kinda need a shoe horn to get into my slalom boat these days (and it's not very comfortable).
Chris and Trevor (River Elf), I know about your Storm Chaser XL C-1, and seriously thinking of getting one. I'm sure it would fit me really well and be fun to paddle! My only concern (which maybe you can address?) is length and speed. I'm still addicted to slalom-style paddling (meaning lots of hull speed and glide), and I've never been an Xtreme creek boater and don't have much desire to do that. My favorite whitewater paddling has always been on class 2-3 rivers (and I don't mind paddling in the ocean or on big open, windy flatwater like the Columbia River). I'm open to being sold on the Storm Chaser though!
Other than the Storm Chaser, is there anyone left in the U.S. these days making composite boats (and more specifically, still has molds for older slalom C-1's)? I've had this dream for years that may be unattainable unless I decide to make a mold myself—which is to have a classic long slalom boat design (like the Zealot or Fanatic), except scaled up in every dimension to fit a 220lb paddler like the original boats fit 170lb paddlers. (Like I said, it's probably a pipe dream, LOL.)
Of course there are always overseas companies like Vajda and Galasport...but I'm pretty sure they only specialize in little boats designed to float scrawny little Olympic paddlers with toothpick legs who weigh 160lbs, LOL.
Finally, the other thing I've been seriously considering (but the cost is kinda scary) is an outrigger C-1. I've paddled them and yes—nothing like whitewater C-boating—but holy sh*t those boats are FAST. And incredibly fun to paddle on big open water. I don't even know if outrigger C-boating exists back East...but out here in the West, it's a pretty big deal and there are many who paddle them.
So all just the musings of someone who is still deeply connected to C-boating and wants to do more!
Scott
. Nice to have you back with us!