Re: Width and Stability (good article)
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 10:03 am
For me the Ovation is not as stable as the Spanish Fly. I could not keep a Phantom upright, a common experience with other men.milkman wrote:When I was first starting out in solo whitewater canoeing, I liked stable canoes like the Dagger Ovation because I didn't have good balance in the boat or fast, natural counter-reactions to currents affecting the boat. As I became a more experienced paddler with good balance, I didn't need those training wheels any longer and instead wanted more responsive hulls--canoes that could respond quickly to my every tilt. Thus, based on my experiences, I think initial stability is a great thing for helping beginning canoeists feel comfortable and develop their boat balance with a fewer number of swims. Once they have that balance, boats with little primary stability, but good secondary are the next natural step. To help beginning canoeists develop boat balance and learning to use tilt, I encourage them to do lots of surfing on progressively bigger or more bucky waves.
What is stable depends on the size of the paddler. It also depend on your personal style and preference.
Back in the '80's, Blue Hole developed their Star Burst as a big water boat. Lots of products, modifications, and interests have developed since then with playing getting popular over river running. I am not sure there is a good play river running boat for single blade paddlers. Everything is a compromise. I did a lot of creeks in a 15 foot Sunburst. I wouldn't mind to have one again. I think the Dagger Prophet would work well for my size and how I prefer to paddle.
