Recommendationn on a good c1 for a beginner?

[whitewaterdancer]

I have always paddled open boats. I have a Dagger Atom and I was wondering if this is a good boat to learn the art of C1. I have the Atom for sale, however I am beginning to rethink that. I have a few people interested in the Atom, but I haven't committed to a sale yet. ( I really don't want to sell it, but I need the money.) Is this a good boat for learning? I haven't had an opportunity to paddle in the recent past, so my skills are somewhat rusty. Any thoughts on a good C1 for a beginner?

[Sir Adam]

An Atom is a decent C1, but depending on your weight the learning curve may be a little steep due to the stern catching and flipping you at inopportune times... It is "higher performance" (e.g. will zip in and out of eddy's better, etc...) than the other "old school" starter C1, the Cascade. Either is better than a Slasher, Gyramax, Centaur, or Sage, though!

I'd either keep the atom or look for something in glass used and cheap. But then I do have this glass boat addiction:).

Personally I'd recommend staying with a "long" (9' or longer) C1 to learn on so you can learn to use the whole river...then if you want to play more, get a shorter boat. But that's just me....

[Larry Horne]

the atom was my first c-1 after paddling oc's for 8 years. it was a tough transition and i never really enjoyed that boat. but i did enjoy the dryness and the play factor. i never went back to open canoes.
i think the atom is ok to learn in, but one of the newer river runner/ creekers might be better for you as they feel more like an open boat. they stay on the surface of the water and aren't as grabby. i would stay away from a full on creek boat, they aren't much fun on anything but really hard water. as everyone here knows, i am a huge fan of the h-3. i bet the mamba and diesel are good as well.
you could easily sell that atom and get a used kayak for the same price.

[TomAnon]

Paddle what you got!

I have been paddling an Atom for a couple months now as I shop around looking for something new. Also, I cannot fit into my older boats anymore and I am comfortable in the Atom. I have found the Atom to be a good all around river runner. The edges can give you problems. Pay attention to them and "slide" into and out of eddies at first. The upturned bow makes for real nice surfing and ferrying. The stern can give you problems when exiting eddies or doing down stream ferries. I do not think it works all that well with a stern rudder compared to an OC1. So, it will force you to work on your forward strokes from the bow.

It is wide for a C1. As you are an OC1 paddler this probably will help.

This is a heavy boat so it really will not be easy to throw around. As Sir Adam advised, it will make you use the river features because of said weight.

[billcanoes]

I tried an Atom I think two years ago for maybe 5 min, and I hated it- It was my first c1 experience- HOWEVER, I tried an Atom last year at the Armada and loved it- I think it was just a big transition from an open canoe to a c1-

It is definately a boat- I would like to have for exploring SOME new rivers, maybe class IV- I would keep it- you just might need a little more time getting acquainted with it-Now it is a boat I woud like to find to add to my collection- though my Viper gets me through currently since I lack an Atom, though I prefer the models with ghip huggers-

Bill

[Kanukid]

If you are serious about the C1, go for a creeker!! The softer edges will be forgiving. The high volume will allow an easier transition to being emersed in the water. In a matter of time you can go for a rodeo boat, and you will have you'll have the creeker for the GNAR!!!

Drop the Atom, its a cool CBoat, but, its ancient!! Go for the new progressive designs!! Just as Esquif is to the Ocoee.