C-Forum

To those of you who paddle the really tiny, rotomolded OCs...

Why are they still open? With airbags and outfitting, the boats are nearly C1s anyway. Why aren't they simply molded with a full deck to start with? Are they designed as open boats to meet some kind of competition rule?

While I'm not crazy about all the water getting in the boat, it is kinda liberating to be able to jump in and out of the boat without messing with a skirt.

There is a class for open boats, so yes my thought would be they are designed in part for to qulify for a "class". I also think they would have slightly different characteristics for paddling, the c1 would typically be much flatter than the OC1 plastic boat, so side surfing and having an eddy line catch the stern for an unintentional stern squirt I would think would also be a lot less likely. In addition the higher walls allow a higher saddle.

I'm no boat builder, so this is just my 2cents.

Bill

I believe the new Esquif Salsa can be fitted with a skirt. (A great way to practice moves before competition.) Does it then become a C1 or just a really, really dry (O)C1.

It's skirtaphobia man!.... just kidding. The boats are designed under competition rules that where set in place back in 1996.. think Dagger Ocoeee or Mohawk Rodeo style OC's. Then along came rotomolding and some extreme canoe design thoughts and ideas. Here we are today with boats that are 7ft or less and can do moves unimagineable back then. Time to revisit the rules... which we did. (See other post)

If you look carefully at the required "open" cockpit dimensions for competition you might notice that the new rules allow for a "reasonably" sized skirt to be fitted to the cockpit of the boat for training or rec-paddling. You might see more of this coming in other designs than rodeo boats. In essence.. you can have an OC1 and (big) C1 all in the same boat. Bonus... folks might be able to take a canoe to some of the bigger features that are out there in the world and not swamp on every ride or every drop. If you want an easy exit in case of a swim.. pull the skirt and you still have your old trusty OC1 underneath.

The best part of open boating is being open minded.

The most ironic thing about most C1 playboats is that they are actually converted KAYAKS. (Except the Wheelboy!) It would be nice to see some more "original" C1 designs out there too wouldn't it.

The designs make a lot more sense to me now. Craig's description above is what I was thinking of when I wondered why those boats didn't just go 'all the way'. I guess in a way, some of them do.

Pretty cool...

Can somebody sort me out on the differences between these little rotomolded OC boats. Are they all designed as "rodeo boats"? I think I get them mixed up.

What are the differences between a Quake, Aftershock, CUfly, Spanishfly, etc.?

Thanks, Pat.

Pat,

most of them are indeed designed as rodeo boats.

The savage skeeter and dagger quake were the first of those designs, and were designed (i believe) as rodeo boats. Their lack of rodeo-goodness as it were, and ability on creeks and harder rivers however quickly lead them to be used primarily as river running/creek boats.

The Savage Fly, and then updated to the Pyranha SuperFly is designed specifically as a rodeo boat, but again, many people love it for river running and creeking.

The aftershock, and CU-fly are both full on rodeo boats, not good for much else.

the two new Esquif boats are full-on specialist boats, on opposite ends of the spectrum - the Taureau is a dedicated creek boat, and the Salsa a dedicated freestyler. Of course the taureau apparently has a nice planing hull, and apparently surfs really nicely... but it's certainly not great for blunts, cartwheels, etc. like the Salsa was showcasing at the worlds

hope this helps,
-allan

Wow, sometimes this site provides all the right answers quickly! Thanks Allan, I was after that separation between which are good runners/creekers and which are dedicated hole riders.

P.