Atom as first C-1

[B-rad]

Just wondering if the Atom would be a good first boat. I've paddled OC for a few years, and am looking to get into a C-1. They're tough to come by up here, and this one looks pretty good. Would it be too advanced as a first boat? I paddle 2+, some 3 in my open boat. I would use it for river running as well as some playboating. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Sir Adam]

How is your roll ?

If you have a good roll in your OC, I suspect you'll make the transition OK.

The Atom is an edgy boat, depending on your weight. If you're in the, say, 180-200 range, you'll likely really enjoy it after a bit.

230 and up, well, likely a bit heavy.

165 or so, like me, and it will cruise nicely most of the time, you wont' really be able to squirt it unless you crush the stern, and occasionally you'll be randomly flipped upsidedown at the top of a long rapid (not that they has EVER happened to me (Kennebec, pre-hipgrabber install, as well as moving the thigh straps to a more aggressive location)).

What boat are you coming from in particular? What the hull on your OC is like will greatly effect how quickly you transition to the Atom.

Overall it is an 'intermediate' - 'expert' boat (that's how Dagger billed it, anyway...and I agree that someone who has NEVER boated would find it challenging and a steep learning curve), with a good learning curve to it, but is IS a good boat for river running, particularly if you want to stick to Plastic.

[B-rad]

My roll is so-so, I'm 165 as well, and I'm coming from a Mohawk XL13. I'm guessing it would be quite the jump?

[yarnellboat]

Since C-1s (and especially conversions) are difficult to come by around Nordegg, my advice is to just take what's outfitted and available and try it out!

Spend some time on flatwater practicing your rolls (and exits) and tweaking your outfitting before you go for a river run.

It will feel very different than an XL-13, but that's a good thing.

PY.

[boomstick]

I''ve recently started paddling the Atom coming from a Mohawk Viper 11. I liked the edges on the Atom as they were similar to the Viper (as similar to an open boat). I didn't have a good OC roll but have been nailing the roll in the Atom.

I think that the Atom would be a fine choice for a first C-1. So far its working out form me! Just keep leaning forward as you stroke.

[Louie]

It could become an investment, I know people who horded Quakes and they can pretty much set their own price now. Some people get stuck on one boat and have to have just that boat. If I'd keep a hundred dagger Ocoee and brought them on the market I could get twice what Bell get for their version. I have a team Aton with the hip grabbers and really big logos. I've paddled it but it is one of the wetest open boat I've ever paddled.

[TommyC1]

I run around 200 lbs, am not terrificaly tallented or atheletic and paddle an Atom and an Outrage.
The Outrage is more forgiving but not to any great degree.
The Atom is easier to paddle than any conversions I've tried. It's way more fun than a Cascade (if you can find one).
There's a good thread on the Atom back a few pages here. What I got from that is that you want to stay aggressive in the Atom and not let the current catch up to you. That seems to agree with my experience.

[jim gross]

i paddled the atom when it first came out. with out hip huggers the factory outfitting was incredibly loose. tailor the fit and you can stay in the boat.i was an advanced to expert boater at the time and found the boat to have no bad habits.the cascade however is a perfect beginners boat but i was totaly boared with it in a month. the atom will grow with you as your skills improve. a much more fun boat with a larger range. it sounds like the atom will quickly become your little hot rod JIM

[Larry Horne]

I know others who disagree, but to me it's just an ok boat, not very good for play (except for front surfing waves) and terrible for creeking..... there are many better boats out there now.
The Atom was my first C1 after paddling Mohawk Vipers. I went from being confident in class IV-V in the open boat, to scared silly in easy class IV in the Atom. It was a tough but fun transition and I never did get comfortable in the Atom. But, I never went back to open boats.
If you don't mind flipping a LOT you'll have a blast and your paddling will improve....or else .
If you want to run harder than class IV you'll probably want a more forgiving design.
And if you really want to play, you'll need a modern play boat.

[oopsiflipped]

I think it would be a terrible first c1. Unless you are looking to make an already challenging activity more difficult. I paddled mine once and then pulled the seat out and put it in a creek boat. That being said, I'll probably take the seat out of my Cascade and put it in the Atom when the creek boat conversion is done.

Learning to be a competent boater in the Atom should make you awesome if or when you decided to switch to a boat that is easier to paddle.

[sbroam]

I said once that if I could only have one C-1 it would probably be an Atom (though there are other candidates now - conversions, though). That being said, I've never owned one and probably won't - for me it isn't a great play boat and at my weight, it's as edgy and grabby as my Slasher (but not as fast). At least, I always assumed it was my weight that made it edgy for me.

Coming from an XL, which has no edges, this will be an adjustment. I went from an ME (no edge) to a Viper 12 and had quite a lot to get used to (glad I did!). When I went from the Viper to the Slasher, it was easy. Of course everyone is different, but you might find yourself with the kind of transition I did from ME to Viper - and you may also be glad you did.

If you can make the Armada at the end of May (see the sticky post for details) you could try a lot of boats, maybe even find one for sale...

[Brendan]

I can only offer a one-sided opinion on the Atom- it is the only C-boat I own, following a Cascade and Gyromax ( I know, a very limited sample- all plastic- all big). I paddled open boats for many years and found no problem going to the Atom. That being said, my style of boating is mostly down river, play on waves ( the Atom is the bomb for front surfing). I like the boat for what it is- fairly quick, and a good all around river runner. I don't like the weight.

I still want to get a glass boat, but just have not gotten around to it.

[B-rad]

Thanks a lot guys. I would love to hit the armada, but that's a heck of a trek for me.

Sounds like I should just go for it and be prepared to put in some time getting used to it. I live on a lake so that shouldn't be too hard. Beats practicing offside rolls in my XL I would guess...

[dj]

In the early 1990's I went from an Old Town Tripper to a Slasher, a more sorry sight could not be found. You'll be fine going from XL to the Atom. Just put in lots of time on lake and moving water to get use to it.



Dave