What length are you leaning more toward? Something in the 13-15 foot range, or something a bit shorter? Sounds as if you've got the ability to paddle either.COcanoe wrote:. . . As for "older," I can give you a discourse on Grumman's versus Smoker's versus ABS in the early days of WW canoeing (fiberglass wasn't even in the running and Uniroyal came in much later). But somehow I doubt anyone who calls a canoe an "OC2" cares even knows what the hades I'm talkin' 'bout.
For instance on the Selway I've taken both a 15foot (glass) slalom boat, as well as a (8foot) roto-molded playboat. The only reason for taking the slalom boat, was we were doing a partial self supported trip. The levels rose a bit, and the rafts ended up carrying all our gear. So a bit disappointed, there I was with a long (by todays standards) boat. Ended up being a very enjoyable way to get down. Instead of being able to just jump into any and everything, I had to be more judicious. BUT (and this is a big BUT) I could get to way more places because of hull speed, and I could get back to them time and time again. I had near forgotten how much fun attaining and how easy it was to ferry (almost anywhere). With the playboat (8footer) I went anywhere by jumping into/onto a feature. The kayakers in their standard river runners couldn't get close to making some of the lines, that the longer slalom boat made with ease.
sorry to rant - but wanted to point out, what I perceived your question to be more about.... what type of hull, as opposed to a instructional question... I really don't know of any one repository, that would fit your informational needs. But there are plenty of folks here that have paddled or still paddle, most anything and everything made in the last twenty or so years. So maybe a couple questions might help.
***so what boat are you currently in?
***how much of a load, do you envision to be carrying along (total weight)?
***and what features in a hull design are you leaning more toward? A flatter bottom boat, one with more pronounced edges? Or a more rounded one, something of a more traditionally inspired ABS designed?
*** and I know this is still arbitrary, but the river level's really dictate to me which way to go. So you mentioned wanting to boat classIII-IV. Would you want that to be more big water (higher) or something more technical (lower)? In that date range and location, you could have you pick of either or both.
***and what part of the country are you in? You're very likely to find someone here (Cboats), that would be willing let you test drive or know of an outfitter that would.
And yes - I do remember those Gruman days, while I never owned one... they were still in vogue when I started. And a short boat in those days was something under 16 feet. I wouldn't recommend something quite that long today, but then again I don't believe you'd want to be in that (itty bitty) one in my avatar....