New Boat...

[RodeoClown]

If you're ever up in NH and want to try out any of the Blackfly boats- or have any other questions, let me know. Looks like you're 2.5hrs from Blackfly world headquarters, and there are lots of rivers around here for demoing- some of them are still flowing this time of year.

[ian123]

Thats awesome! Gotta love this community

[TNbound]

I haven't paddled the ion but I can't see it being a good all-round boat. I bet it's a blast to paddle on a wave or on a steep creek but any sort of flat water would be hellish.

I wouldn't say hellish, exactly. While it definitely isn't a tripping boat, it is faster than you would expect. Faster than the Quake I had and my playboat C1, but clearly a little slower than an Option/L'Edge.

Just as much fun as any of the long boats, though. Maybe even more, depending who you ask.

[drrpm]

If you don't like a lot of edge the Outrage is a nice boat. The Mohawk 12 is good too. If you like edge there is the Ocoee, which is one of the best looking canoes ever made IMO. The Outrage is a good creeker too.

[dsmoake]

Wayne,
If you wouldn't mind, I would like to take you up on your offer to try your ledge and option. I am a newbie to ww canoeing. I have been canoeing for years (class 2 rivers) and 4 years ago got into rafting. I was lucky enough to captain a raft though the Grand Canyon last summer, but I am always drawn back to canoeing. I starting looking for a boat and found a great deal on a Maxim in December. It made me realize I don't have the skills I thought I did. I am down to 5-6 swims on a class 2 river, but I would like something more stable that I can relax in. I would also like to paddle class 3 without knowing I will be in the drink. The problem is I live in Phoenix Arizona and there is not much canoeing here. I have only seen 1 on the river in the 4 years I have been paddling. I am coming out to Woodbridge NJ in the beginning of July and would be willing to travel to try some different boats. I would like a short boat like the maxim that has better primary stability. Option?? Ledge?? Phiend?? I would be happy to hear any other thoughts. Thanks for your help,
Dave

[beardedcanadian]

would you go buy a car, truck, or van based on the trusted response from a unknown website friend?

would you buy drugs, from a crack whore addict?

would you really like to know?


try-try-try before you buy-buy-buy

go to every paddling event you can find, look for a paddling club, and go to the most popular river you can find, look for local other local paddlers, and check out demo days

you are about to be deluged with best intentions, if past trends remain true

I probably wouldn't buy a vehicle over the internet and I wasn't aware that you could buy drugs from anyone but crack ho's!

Thanks for the great response from everyone!

I know Zoar has a Zoom that I could demo, but I after doing some research, I would like to try the L'Edge, Prelude and mabye the option. I paddled an Ocoee way back in the day...maybe ten years ago, and promptly went for a swim on m first eddy in class III. I may take some of you up on the option of a demo run...

I know there are some ice shelves on the rivers around here, and am not super keen on swimming under or around those. So maybe if there are rivers that ice free I coud go out and take a couple runs.

[Creeker]

Sure Dave you can jump in on that action. You said you are coming out to woodbridge in July...is that for a week, summer or extended? Woodbridge is about 15 minutes from my home. My canoes are mostly bulkhead outfitted so as long as you're near or smaller than my 5'11" height 170 lbs you should fit. Do you have a roll yet? Not that it matters.

[beardedcanadian]

BC,

I live in NJ but I could meet you somewhere. you are about my size and you'd fit in my Option and Ledge bulkhead. I'd be happy to let you swap out during the day to get a feel for both. I could meet you at white haven, Pa and run a conservative class 2+ run like the Lehigh or an easy 4 like the brodhead if we get lucky with a little flow.....there is even a chance that we could get our hands on a prelude or ion if we get locals to come. At 7pm there is a rolling session about 45 minutes away and you could roll them a load getting the real feel for each without ice cream headache. You could trek home at 9pm or do a boater crash out for the night and get hooked into boating k1/OC1 sunday.

I'm open to driving to places north in the catskills too like the Moodna (ny), croton(ny) but other than that I'm not sure of good easier tryout rivers north.

Wayne,

I am not sure I am up for a class IV, but would love to try them out. Is the 7pm rolling session an ongoing thing or does it happen on a specific date?

BC

[Creeker]

the Saturday 7pm pool session is ongoing though most of the winter and there is a Sunday AM by my house in NJ into April. March and April are my busy creeking months. Sooner would be better than later. I might be good even this weekend on Saturday. Just let me know....its only a matter of gas and time.

[Shep]

I know Zoar has a Zoom that I could demo, but I after doing some research, I would like to try the L'Edge, Prelude and mabye the option.

I wouldn't recommend demoing the Zoom, unless it's purely for amusement. They do have some other boats like a Paradigm and an Outrage that are available for demo too. You are definitely right that they don't have the latest generation of plastic boats available to demo, but you can get an idea how those boats compare to more traditional designs.

Good luck in your quest!

Shep

[beardedcanadian]

the Saturday 7pm pool session is ongoing though most of the winter and there is a Sunday AM by my house in NJ into April. March and April are my busy creeking months. Sooner would be better than later. I might be good even this weekend on Saturday. Just let me know....its only a matter of gas and time.

I won't be able to get out this weekend, but next weekend could work for me. I don't know many places to paddle, but if you pick a spot I would be up for meeting...as for the pool session...never tried to roll an open boat, but would be up for it.

BC

[beardedcanadian]

I know Zoar has a Zoom that I could demo, but I after doing some research, I would like to try the L'Edge, Prelude and mabye the option.

I wouldn't recommend demoing the Zoom, unless it's purely for amusement. They do have some other boats like a Paradigm and an Outrage that are available for demo too. You are definitely right that they don't have the latest generation of plastic boats available to demo, but you can get an idea how those boats compare to more traditional designs.

Good luck in your quest!

Shep

Shep, why wouldn't you recommend demoing the Zoom?

[PatrickOC1]

I tried that zoom you speak of not a bad boat good shape and all but was tough to keep upright ..... definetly a speed advantage but always keeps you on your toes very edgy to the point of tripping you up pretty consistently, I wasnt ready for it..... $40 for the day to rent/demo it too see wo can let you try a boat first theres plenty of people willing to let people try their boats out as youve noticed by this thread.

[Smurfwarrior]

The Zoom/Wooz will teach you quite a bit... if you are in the learning mood or not.

[PatrickOC1]

yeah smurf definetly a warm weather demo boat