C-Forum

Hi y'all
I need to find myself a creeking machine. I'd prefer to stick to an OC, but will have to see what I can find. I'm really interested in the Taureau, but there's no way I can test paddle one over here in Switzerland. I'll have to just order one (and they're about 50% more expensive here, so it's a big gamble - DOUH!). As such, I'd love to get some specific information from people who have paddled one.

I'm specifically interested in speed, responsiveness and stability when loaded with water, general turning, tracking, resurfacing...you know all those things that tell how it'll respond creeking. It'd be awseome if you could compare the Taureau in each of these characteristics it to the Detonator or Zoom as those are both boats I've spent a lot of time in (had a Detonator for 3 years and now have the Zoom - but am rapidly shredding it on the rocky creeks around here).

Any and all information much appreciated.

Cheers

Matt

I only paddled the Taureau prototype for a half-hour. Have paddled Detonator, Zoom, and have owned an Aftershock. I hope the boat will be plastic.

I found it surfed great, rolled well and was much faster than the Aftershock. Don't know about boofing, doing drops etc but it felt great and should be much better than the Zoom and Deto for creeking.

All in all seemed like a top notch boat. I preferred it to the Spanish Fly or Skeeter although these are also great boats.

OC.

The big question for me would be how hard is it to roll. I have a Spanish Fly and it is an issue when it comes to rolling consistantly. Some have suggested putting hole through the foam pedistal to aid in rolling, but I have not tried that yet since I plan to part with the boat if I find an interested party.

Chuck/Tennessee

are you getting rid of the spanish fly?
do you have any pictures?
let me know
john c.
cincy,ohio

Hi Matt, if you are in switzerland try to ask to AlpinAction http://www.alpinaction.it, it's the new esquif dealer for Italy e Slovenia, isn't so far from you and maybe can have better prices.
Cheers

PS About the Taureau: the design is interesting but I can't understand why make an OC1 almos all decked... I think an open boat must be OPEN, otherwise there are decked C1... just my opinion...

Hi Paolo

Cheers for the link - I'll keep it bookmarked Always need to know where the best shops are.

I have debated with myself over C1 vs OC1 for creeking and would like to stay closer to an OC1, however I really need plastic - I'm rapidly shredding my Zoom and my 2 C1s are both glass so even less durable (heinously fun though).

I have paddled the Prelude, but it seemed sooo heavy (OK, so that trip did involve a lot of carrying). I didn't think there was really anything else available when it comes to plastic OC1s, unless you go for the partially decked boats. Of those, I reckon the Taureau is probably the best for what I'm looking for, but it's so hard to tell without paddling it.

BTW where are you paddling at the moment? Be cool to hook up and run some stuff. Any boating plans this weekend?

Cheers

Matt

Yes the Spanish Fly is for sale. I do not have a digital camara, but can get some when my son gets on from school. He is in Lexington at UK and teh semister is over in a couple of weeks.

Chuck/Knoxville

For shure the taureau would be more dry and light than a prelude, but is the concept I can't understand, why don't make it C1, due certainly it's not an OPEN boat...
The prelude is quite heavy yes, but I like it. Anyway I'm thinking about the new robson home in armelite, it's expensive but it's only 16 kg vs 21 of the prelude...
I'm paddling very easy at the moment, cause i'm convalescent after a shoulder operation... hope i can do harder stuff in the summer.

second plastic one made and I paddled the glass one on the Gauley. I've paddle theAfter shock, Quake ( version 2, 3, 4, and 50Prelude, Skeeter, Spanish Fly, Super Fly, the CU fly is the only one I haven't spent much time in. The Taureau, is as fast as any of these roll as easy as any. It is the driest of them all and boofs better than any. It is a hellva lot more stable than the Zoom, ( I have two of them), the dryness is what is going to blow you away. Dooley who weight a good 225 lb not Kilos rolls the thing and when he step out of it it only has three inch of water in it. I roll it at 170 lbs not kilos and it only has two inches of water in it. The secondary stability is as good as that on the Zoom but you will hardly every find this out cause the initial stability is so dam good. I have yet to have it on any thing steep than 130 fpm but on the Tellico, Watauga , Little, Conasauga Creek, Island , Little Clear Creek and other easy class III it has been great. Don't listen to those people who say it ain't an open boat, this is the very attitude that has cause there to be less and less open boaters, It is open, you don't wear a skirt and it has wood on it it meet all of Frankies requirement and up to now Frankie is the most knowledgeable and has designed the best and most open boats.

wait, I thought I heard some rumors about how you may be able to get this boat with a cockpit rim or something to make it a c-1. Is this true (probably not, but just want to get rid of any false thoughts I may have)?

Sounds like a good boat so far, looking forward to trying one!
Alden

but think about it would you really want to swim some class five wearin a skirt the size of a small bed sheet?

...I don't want to swim any class 5 if possible

Matt, the Robson might be a good alternative for you since you are in Europe.

Cheers, Jan

Yeah, but I like Jacques and the Esquif folks I bought one of the first Detonators and those guys are cool. Still...there is the cost issue. I tried to find out some info about the Homes, but really couldn't find much. Can you direct me to a good Robson dealer Jan? The only price I'veseen online so far was 2100€...even higher than the Esquif...of course it is fully open

Hey Paolo...did you ever get around to figuring out a bilge pump over here?

Matt

Are you talkin about the CU Fly? I don't think it has much more of an openin than the Taureau

I think they are talking about the Salsa with a skirt.