C-Forum

O.K. Bear with me, if you will. I'm hoping to get into oc 1 paddling and am looking for a good boat for my needs/experience/skill level. Obviously I'd like something that is not going to dump me in the river constantly, but also one that I won't outgrow in a few years...
I've got a lot of wilderness tripping experience, but have only played around in rapids in a big hog of a tripping boat...
I imagine that I will be paddling class II-III for quite some time, and will probably be on rivers with a fair amount of flatwater between sets...
Ideally, and I know its hard to find a boat that meets all needs, but I would like a boat that I could pack enough gear in for a 5 day minimalist river trip...
I am 6'1" and 165 pounds...
So I've been looking at a Bell Prodigy or Prodigy X because I might be able to get a good deal...What other boats might suit my needs? Anything from Esquif? I greatly appreciate any and all help, and have been so excited to find this great forum!

Im kind of a newb myself, I was looking to do some similar things with my first oc1,if I would have bought a new boat I was looking at a prodigy . I ended up buying a used dagger impulse(not made anymore) but it is similar to prodigy x and Im very happy, it's a very forgiving boat for a beginner like me.

noobopenboater wrote:Im kind of a newb myself, I was looking to do some similar things with my first oc1,if I would have bought a new boat I was looking at a prodigy . I ended up buying a used dagger impulse(not made anymore) but it is similar to prodigy x and Im very happy, it's a very forgiving boat for a beginner like me.

I have to say, years ago I took an open boating workshop to learn solo boating. I had an Impulse. I hated that boat so much that I nearly never boated again! Fast forward a few years, and I took another workshop using an Ovation. Not bad! Then I bought an Outrage, and it's the perfect boat for me thus far. It's responsive, forgiving, fairly light (with the wood gunnels) and good for growing into.

Maybe the instruction was better this time around, but I sure do love the Outrage. I've never been happier with any other boat!

Deb

What you really need is to find a full service canoe shop, one that will let you try out a few. Someplace that is on the water would be perfect. Maybe someone knowledgeable about Minneapolis will/can direct you.

As for me all of the above(below) mentioned canoes suxxx, like really big time!!!!!! A Prodigy, a Ovation, a Outage wouldn't be caught dead in one, not even a some far away land. But that's my opinion, that's why there are so many designs. Different strokes for different folks, if you will. As for me nothing comes close to a Spanish Fly, but Tripping no way. It's what you want, not me.

Try out a few, borrow a buds boat, try someones that's taking a break. Find a sponsored boater, he'll practically paddle it for you. Bottom line is no one is going to know what you really need but you.

Good Luck, and enjoy the hunt. You'll learn a lot.

You mentioned esquif, I have the vertige, picked it up for solo ww trips, such as 3 to 6 nights, class I to IV. I'm happy with it.
Some of their newer designs feature the double chines, which might be a good option.

re Minneapolis, try mid west mountaineering (store), and seek out paddlers at the rapid riders club, part of the minnesota canoe association, i think.

So I've been looking at a Bell Prodigy or Prodigy X

The Prodigy(s) are OK for beginners and will function for river tripping. But several newbies I have known who bought Prodigys quickly outgrew them and soon sold them for something a bit more playful.

To be honest you probably need two boats - one for day trips/play and one for WW tripping. The Outrage might serve both funtions. The Esquif Zephyr would be a good boat that will give you something to grow into without being too much for a novice.

Another nice Esquif WW boat to take a look at is the Esquif Vertige. Probably just a little too big for "everyday" use but a great WW tripper.

I've sent you a PM with my phone number. Feel free to call and we can talk about OC boating in and around the Twin Cities.

Dave