Bell Prodigy
Moderators: kenneth, sbroam, TheKrikkitWars, Mike W., Sir Adam, KNeal, PAC, adamin
Bell Prodigy
I saw a Bell Prodigy for sale at Sierra trading Post. I am 5' 2" and weigh about 115. I have some experience and hve taken an OC-1 course. Any thoughts. Thanks. mindy
I have to disagree, the Prodigy is nothing like the Phantom. First of all it is quit a bit longer. I think the Prodigy is a great first boat choice. Its easy to paddle and if you can get a good deal thats even better. Softer chines and a rounder bottom makes for easy paddling. Longer water line and not extreme rocker help the boat track fairly well, which most beginners have a hard time with. Maybe you could paddle one first to see if you like it.
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sbroam
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I don't think Louie is implying that the Phantom and Prodigy are similar in design, just that he has a similarly low opinion of both boats. My impression of the Prodigy was that is sure looked like it would be a wet boat - not much rocker or freeboard.
[edit] Disclaimer - I never paddled the Prodigy, though I did hop in a Prodigy X for about 10 minutes once at Surfers on the Nanty - it worked, but I'm 220#[/edit]
[edit] Disclaimer - I never paddled the Prodigy, though I did hop in a Prodigy X for about 10 minutes once at Surfers on the Nanty - it worked, but I'm 220#[/edit]
Last edited by sbroam on Wed Aug 13, 2008 6:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Try to find one to paddle
I have owned/paddled many boats (not as many as Louie probably) and I now have a Prodigy X (for >190 #s). While I love my Spanish Fly and Ocoee, and really enjoyed the Zephyr, and Vertige X, the Prodigy X is dry, stable, very fast. I was shocked at how dry it is. Perhaps someone will respond at your weight on how the Prodigy performs.
I think for women who are beginners the Prodigy and Probe series are good first boats. Esquif has several boats that would work for beginners.
With the osteoporosis I have developed the added stability of the Prodigy X allows me to continue paddling class III-IV runs with less risk of more broken bones.
My 2 cents.
Okay guys- flame on.
I think for women who are beginners the Prodigy and Probe series are good first boats. Esquif has several boats that would work for beginners.
With the osteoporosis I have developed the added stability of the Prodigy X allows me to continue paddling class III-IV runs with less risk of more broken bones.
My 2 cents.
Okay guys- flame on.
The Prodigy would be a good choice
Ignore the comments from those who have not paddled it.
For a paddler in the 110-120 range it will be light, nimble yet stable and track fairly well. All qualities that work for new paddlers. I've put paddlers as low as 110 in the boat and it worked great.
The Prodigy is very dry for smaller paddlers. Once you get over 160lbs you're on the large size, but under that the boat will lift nicely. It doesn't have the largest amount of rocker, instead it has a flatter bottom that lets the boat ride high and turn when needed.
The Prodigy is a different boat than say the Esquif Zephyr. Both are comfortable for smaller paddlers, but their on water peformance is different. The Prodigy is faster whereas the Zephyr will turn quicker (each is good depending on where you're paddling). The secondary stability in the Prodigy, for a 115lb paddler, is very solid. It is heavier than the Zephyr and that might be an issue for your size.
The best thing to do would be test paddle several boats and see what works. I would be cautious of the Sierra Trading Post hulls, they're 3rd rate blems from Bell and are prone to many problems. A good condition used boat would be better and the same price.
Ignore the comments from those who have not paddled it.
For a paddler in the 110-120 range it will be light, nimble yet stable and track fairly well. All qualities that work for new paddlers. I've put paddlers as low as 110 in the boat and it worked great.
The Prodigy is very dry for smaller paddlers. Once you get over 160lbs you're on the large size, but under that the boat will lift nicely. It doesn't have the largest amount of rocker, instead it has a flatter bottom that lets the boat ride high and turn when needed.
The Prodigy is a different boat than say the Esquif Zephyr. Both are comfortable for smaller paddlers, but their on water peformance is different. The Prodigy is faster whereas the Zephyr will turn quicker (each is good depending on where you're paddling). The secondary stability in the Prodigy, for a 115lb paddler, is very solid. It is heavier than the Zephyr and that might be an issue for your size.
The best thing to do would be test paddle several boats and see what works. I would be cautious of the Sierra Trading Post hulls, they're 3rd rate blems from Bell and are prone to many problems. A good condition used boat would be better and the same price.
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toddmckibben
- Posts: 3
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Now she cant say I have 8 boats!!Prodigy is a good boat !
My spouse used it on a 13 day trip loaded with gear and loved it. Very fast(she could keep up with tandem boats) and great for river running.
Playability is not so good, it's speed makes it drop deep on a wave and the bow catches easily making it hard to control surfs on small features.
Still liked it much to attain and great for catching eddy !
Go for it (Even if it's not ESQUIF
)
My spouse used it on a 13 day trip loaded with gear and loved it. Very fast(she could keep up with tandem boats) and great for river running.
Playability is not so good, it's speed makes it drop deep on a wave and the bow catches easily making it hard to control surfs on small features.
Still liked it much to attain and great for catching eddy !
Go for it (Even if it's not ESQUIF
)