whats the differance between a xl 13 and a xl 14

[tornado jim]

Im a beginner, and a big guy (6`7"---270lbs) would the 13 be as good as the 14? I know its only a foot but what about tracking flat water, manovering white water, and proper floation for my big butt? Im going to be running some flat water but mostly 2s and 3s with the occasional 4. Any help is appericated, as I am pretty green Jim

[ezwater]

At your height and weight, I might take the 14. Would you consider a Dagger>Mad River Caption? A few flips early on would be rewarded by better handling down the road.

[Craig Smerda]

"1"

[mr ray]

"1"

Its one louder.

[Craig Smerda]

"1"

Its one louder.

Nigel Tufnel: The numbers all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and...
Marty DiBergi: Oh, I see. And most amps go up to ten?
Nigel Tufnel: Exactly.
Marty DiBergi: Does that mean it's louder? Is it any louder?
Nigel Tufnel: Well, it's one louder, isn't it? It's not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?
Marty DiBergi: I don't know.
Nigel Tufnel: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?
Marty DiBergi: Put it up to eleven.
Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly. One louder.
Marty DiBergi: Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?
Nigel Tufnel: [pause] These go to eleven.



Sorry for the threadjacking... but I really needed to laugh about something today.

[oc1paddlr]

really good flik. many good quotes. "what are the hours?"

[jroneil]

I learned in an xL13 I was 290
Since then I had and outrage X
I paddle that at 290 in class II no problem
I got down to 270 outrage x is fine for class II
I also have a caption which is 14 ft
I can do bigger stuff a lot easier in the caption
I can do things I could never do in the outrage x
The xl 13 is much more stable that outrage x you can slide over rocks no problem it is a good starter boat to learn in.


If you are buying it as a starter boat get the cheaper one. If it is going to be your primary boat and do not think you are going to loose any weight go with the xl14. You are top heavy I am not as tall as you but I am 6'1" with 30 inch legs all my height is from the waist up. you will probably have the same problem being 6'7"

In the smaller boat and being tall in the saddle you act like a bobbin or cork and you can flip before you get your brace down
With the 14 foot boat I have time to brace before I go over. Especially class III stuff.

[tornado jim]

dude that clears things up quite a bit, thanks a bunch

[Mr.DeadLegs]

Jim I am about your size and love the Viper 12. If you are anywhere near the SouthEast let me know and I will bring it to a river and you can give it a try.

[tornado jim]

I live in WV, just 2 hours from the New. How far south are you? Id love to demo your viper

[dwd58]

Jim I am in E. Ky and if you want to demo a probe 12 let me know. They are more stable than the viper.

[open boater]

I was 6'2, 300# and learned in an XL13. Later I paddled a Whitesell Descender, then Whitesell Pyranha's. About 3 years ago I went to a Probe 14. I regularly paddle class 3, ocasionally up to class 4.
I currently weigh 250# and have demo'd both the Probe 12 and Viper 12. I would not recommend the Viper, less stable and slower.
All that being said, I would heartily suggest the XL13 or a Whitesell Pyranha (thats a plug for selling one of mine). I'm in Richmond VA, you're welcome to try either my Probe 14 or Whitesell on the James if you would like to come here

[FullGnarlzOC]

XL13 is what I learned on. Not near your size, but it's a great boat. You can put that thing anywhere you'll need to.

With what you described on your original post, I think its what you're looking for. You can always trade for another 'faster, less stable, more likely to swim in' boat later on.

much love for the xl13.