C-Forum

I think it's the fact that you can use your edges so much more and the way you can really drive the boat with powerful strokes and lots of edge. Boof's are cool too. And offside Blunts, no kayaker can get the same feel of that leverage...

Besides boofing: sticking a hard line with off-side strokes and making must make eddies on your off-side... puts a big grin on my face.

Cheers, Jan

The purchase on the water is greater this defiantly gives and advantage but you also get a better view of what is ahead of you. 6-8” makes a huge difference I am told, I have never paddles a kkkkkkkayak (can’t even say the word). I think there may be a reason that all the C boats hit every eddie they can and a lot (not all) of Yakers bomb straight to the bottom where there is a nice friendly deep water wave that can monopolize.

I like the fact that the learning curve is longer/steeper than a kayak. Definatly frustrating at times, but much more satisfying to finally get a move or run a river.

There is also the fact that you get to mutilate a kayak during the conversion process, and make all your yaker friends howl.

I just like how the strokes feel - they're more precise, more powerful and, after doing this for 13 years, just feel right. I have spent time in kayaks (I even own two - one for the kids and a sea kayak) and the strokes are awkward, like you don't get a proper "grip" on the water. The closest you come in a kayak is a good duffek, but even then... There is something to be said for getting a good, swinging rhythm going on a stretch of flat water in a long kayak, but now that I have discovered outrigger canoe, similar can be said for getting a good "sit and switch" going...

Another factor impossible to ignore is that it is nice not to be one of the masses. Many can paddle, but few canoe...

And now, when I paddle a kayak, my feet go to sleep!

The best thing about C1 is the elegance of it (although I have still a long way to go myself ), of a really well paddled C1.
Compared to a well paddled C1, kayaking just looks like flailing !
The only thing that beats a C1 is a well paddled C2 with a crew that's totally in sync, just a thing of beauty!
Just watch some footage of the Olympic slalom finals, and you'll know what I mean.

martin

Hey, ScottB. You just hit on our bumper sticker logo!

Many can paddle, but few can canoe



Now, I just think that is pretty cool!

As far as the advantages to c-boating? Since kyackers see us as having a disadvantage, they usually choose to go first down a difficult run (though there are times when the cboater prefers to be the probe). Kinda not smart on the kyackers' part since we have a height advantage and can see farther than they .

KNeal

One of my favorite things about c-boating is our community. C-boaters seem more inclined to help each other out on and off the river. There is a lot of encouragement. Our end of the sport is a small minority and it's always encouraging to know that there will be a group of people who are keeping it alive rather than just join the masses. We are the oddballs sort of like striders and squirt boaters.

I would like to thank Adam and everyone worldwide who keeps this board up and running and to all it's contributors and lurkers. We all have something special here and no one seems to abuse it. It's always great to know that designers and folks that work at boat companies often come here for ideas, feedback and often openly tap our ideas and desires to improve "our" side of this sport.

We are keeping the sport alive here....one topic, one post, and one reply at a time.

Thanks!,
Craig Smerda

oh yeah.... to kayakers there is nothing more frightening than a 11ft+ canoe full of water charging into "their" eddy while the paddler has that "your'e gunna' have to move look" on his face. It's amazing how quickly they scatter!!

heee heee heee! yeeehaw!

I like how you hit holes on your offside without bothering to brace. You make lefty boofs with your right paddle. You do offside ferries with boat angle and control. You "find the tool to make it smooth" as they say.

I also like how paddling canoe allows you to move from decked boat to open boat.
Alden

Yeah, I also enjoy paddling canoes, they're a lot of fun when it's warm out. I prefer a decked boat for the colder climates though. It's cool doing offside draws and offside 'pivot turns' into eddies. I think you can catch eddies way easier in a c1. Plus, you carve through the water like Moses...

A few things for me. I like the fact that alll my boats are custom outfitted for me by me, not just hopping into a boat, cranking a couple of ratchets and pumping up the thigh braces. Same goes for paddles too. Seems to me that when more time and effort is put into getting something just right for youself, then that effort translates to more pride when paddling making a better boating experience. Also knowing that your learning things on your own or in a differnt manner that takes alot more personal dedication and patience makes finally nailing something, from a roll to a loop, much more gratifying.
One of my butt-boating buddies told me that I C1 because I can't find a yak big enogh to stuff my legs into

1) I like to see where I am going.

2) Fast roll.

3) T-grip precision and feel.

4) Elegance. And being one more small part of a great tradition.

What about the obvious reason for paddling a canoe, especially a "long boat": You can haul more BEER!!!

It's easier to pray when you're already in the kneeling positition