Demo boats
Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 5:05 pm
I'm planning to buy a good open solo boat by the end of the summer and have been told of and read about a variety of boats and am now looking for somewhere to try some. I turn 50 this summer and have arthritis in my knees which prohibits me from paddling a C1 (I had a Cascade briefly, but couldn't stand the pressure on my knees). I'm 5'9" 175lbs. I had an Encore for a while and loved it, but sold it to go lighter and dryer. I don't paddle anything over class III. Rarely flipped the Encore - only when I wasn't paying attention. I do some surfing - was comfortable and confident on the Roanoke at Weldon on the middle wave. I had even learned to roll it in flat water, but never did a combat roll.
I bought a kayak as a compromise to stay dry and keep off my knees, but it just ain't right sittin' on your butt in rapids! I just need to be on my knees to feel secure. The yaks are fine in small flat creeks when paddling for the scenery - good for sneaking under fallen trees and slipping up small side creeks and getting into small places. An open boat gives me the room to keep the pressure off my knees and I've decided to go open again.
Anyway, I'm in eastern North Carolina and could make some Sunday day trips to the Haw, Roanoke @ Weldon, the James or the Appomattox. I was wondering if anyone who runs those rivers has a backup boat they would be willing to let me try before I buy. I'm considering Probes, Vipors, Outrage, Ocoee, Ovation and maybe a Detonator - something stable and smaller and dryer than the Encore.
Reply here or to Pixiespop@aol.com. Thanks for any help.
Mike W. - thanks for the tip about this site. Hope to get to meet you some Sunday. Vic is usually off on Sundays which is why that would be a good day for me to paddle.
Robert S.
I bought a kayak as a compromise to stay dry and keep off my knees, but it just ain't right sittin' on your butt in rapids! I just need to be on my knees to feel secure. The yaks are fine in small flat creeks when paddling for the scenery - good for sneaking under fallen trees and slipping up small side creeks and getting into small places. An open boat gives me the room to keep the pressure off my knees and I've decided to go open again.
Anyway, I'm in eastern North Carolina and could make some Sunday day trips to the Haw, Roanoke @ Weldon, the James or the Appomattox. I was wondering if anyone who runs those rivers has a backup boat they would be willing to let me try before I buy. I'm considering Probes, Vipors, Outrage, Ocoee, Ovation and maybe a Detonator - something stable and smaller and dryer than the Encore.
Reply here or to Pixiespop@aol.com. Thanks for any help.
Mike W. - thanks for the tip about this site. Hope to get to meet you some Sunday. Vic is usually off on Sundays which is why that would be a good day for me to paddle.
Robert S.