creeking question

[CrazyRiver]

Ok, so i have been an OCer for a while (never creeked in an open boat though). recently I started into c1-ing and really like it alot. I converted a playboat, and love river running with it and playing on a wave/hole, its great. I want to step it up and start creeking next spring (convert a creekboat), my kayak friends dont think that c1 creeking is a good idea, and i really dont know anything about c1 creeking. is it possible? is it more dangerous than k1 creeking (ie from having a higher C.O.G.)? does anyone here c1 creekboat and how hard is it to get a good line with only one blade? I really like my one blade and really dont want to use a double blade. Any help here?

[Larry Horne]

are you serious?
for one thing, kayakers don't know jackaroo about c-boating so don't even listen to them.

trust me, you can get a good line with one blade.....and when you do you'll feel twice as good about it.

the fact that you're asking worries me though....

[ezwater]

Getting out to scout, and getting back in, may be easier. My little bits of creek exploration have been in c-1. Haven't tried much creek stuff in kayak.

With advancing age, I'm getting creakier all the time.

[CrazyRiver]

the reason im asking is that there really isnt much info out there about c1 creeking and i figured that the people on this site would be my best bet as to getting first hand info about creeking as I have never done it before and want to start.

[Mike W.]

how hard is it to get a good line with only one blade?

You can only use one blade at a time, so what's the big deal? Everything besides rolling is harder in C-1 than in a 'yak. Heck, you should've seen that 'yaker at the rolling thing on the lake last week. He'd never been in a C-1 & was a little shakey in the lake. Find a boat & take it down a creek.

[c1swim]

Some friends, but seriously, of course you can run creeks in a C1 or an OC1 for that matter as your skills dictate. (sp?) You'll have more leverage and a better line of sight than your tubing friends. There are lots of great C & OC creek boats. Find one and show them how it's done.

[Larry Horne]

the reason im asking is that there really isnt much info out there about c1 creeking and i figured that the people on this site would be my best bet as to getting first hand info about creeking as I have never done it before and want to start.

you're right. there are some creekers on this site. there's bernie, jay ditty, cosmic debris, jan dettmer, and others, search their posts....but
don't over analyze the merits of the c-1... you will be a double bladed knuckle draggin yaker in no time!


in the mean-time, check out Jan's cool site. http://www.open-canoe.de/open-sucks/index.html

[philcanoe]

when creeking my friends usually like for me to look things over, because they can't see as much... on routine runs, they feel at ease because of the ability to see the bottom of drops for new trees...and on new runs I can speed things up by letting then know what the drops looks like (or just say, follow me!)... this is especially true being in an openboat with a bulkhead and no straps... I can be in and out before any body with a spray skirt ... in a c1 you'll still be faster in and out that your friends... and as previously stated - when you need that one stroke, the leverage in a c-type boat is much stronger

[mshelton]

Because of the on/off side you'll have lines that will set up for you better and some that aren't so good. Those that set up well will be no problem (cpt obvious here) making it a breeze and those that don't will just require a little more planning.

It just takes getting out and looking at the stuff you are unsure about and playing your line through your mind and what spots may require something extra...but heck, that should be creeking 101 regardless of what you paddle.

Hope you have fun with it, I know I have.

[Wendy]

Complements of Dooley. A video of some of the great SE creekers. Phil are you in this one?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=E7qSdQmyOTg& ... er&search=

[bamaboater]

that's the video I was looking to post, Wendy. sick.

sounds like Jr. needs to pack up and head South this winter, do some creeking.

[Larry Horne]

cool video..that should answer his questions!
as for the off side-one blade questions... well yeah, it's tougher. but THATS what it's all about! .... the cross bow hole surf out of an eddy ..the cross bow boof the cross bow surf or brace on a huge pillow did i mention the cross bow boof?
when you find yourself faced with a difficult must make cross bow move and then style it, you will be hooked for life. kayakers don't get that.

[Mr.DeadLegs]

I would think as far as saftey goes the nod it to the C-boat. Even with a (yuck) skirt on you are less likely to get legs pinned or trapped inside the boat. The Taurea is a fantastic creeking boat, along with it are the fly boats. Small, manuverable, and easy to get in and out of. We used to be able to run creeks here in the SouthEast. RAIN dam IT.

Trey

[knu2xs]

I've fired up creekin' in an Ocoee, SuperFly, WS Y and a Pyranha H2. Guiding in CO offered frequent opportunities for firin' it up. Creekin' in a c-boat offers advantages, particularly leverage, which can come in very handy in the steeps. However, in general, c-boat creekin' offers less margin for error. When done correctly, a good c-boater can most definitely go very, VERY big.

[CrazyRiver]

yeah i have watched the white of the water many a time and realize that oc creeking can be great fun, but i am into the whole c1 thing now and want to get a creekboat to convert. would i be better off with a dagger cascade, it is a little lengthy for some creeks around here (hyalite, great beginner creek) or maybe a burn or a Y or maybe a jefe, what are your thoughts on possible boats?