Dragorossi Gangster, Fish, & Stinger Reviews
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 2:52 pm
Let me first disclose that I'm not exactly a neutral reviewer. I've been fortunate enough to paddle Corran's designs exclusively since 1999 (Riot --> Dragorossi) as a "bro" (not a "ho"). Save very few designs through the years, I've always thought Corran produces strong performing boats so it has been a win-win situation for me.
Me:
6'1"
185 lbs
Dragorossi Fish
This boat is the best conversion I have ever paddled. I'm really not one to hype up just anything I paddle. I am really enthusiastic about this boat and have not been so excited about a new design since I paddled the Disco. This boat is excellent down-river. I find that the edges allow for so much boat control that I can take fewer strokes. Like most of Corran's playboats, the edges are key. If it's not your style to utilize edges to hold speed and make turns, you might want to look at something else. That said, the boat is extremely fast and makes turns with subtle engagements of the rockered edge. The interaction of the hard edge with the concave of the rocker is like nothing I've ever felt -- best control imaginable. The edges are on the aggressive side but I don't find the boat to be "spanky" like some of Corran's past, hard-edged designs. The Fish is everything that it claims to be in holes and on waves. I think the real story is that it is also a solid river-runner and a design that translates exceptionally well into a C-1. I cannot say enough good about this boat.
Dragorossi Stinger
As with most boats, I gave this design a test drive as a kayak before getting one to convert. There were many things I liked about it as a kayak like it's quick edge transfer and stability on edge. I thought it would be a stable river cruiser and that it would be a better river runner than the Fish. I was wrong. This boat did not make a good conversion at all. As a c-1, it was fairly unstable and soft on the edges. I think this has a lot to do with the narrow surface underneath the seat. Though wide enough from sidewall to sidewall, the side-cuts underneath the water-line make it effectively narrow -- a problem for any c-1 conversion. I still believe this boat to be a good design for a less aggressive kayak playboater or for a kayaker interested in an all-around boat but I wouldn't push it as a C-1 design. I switched to the Fish and it was the best decision I ever made.
Dragorossi Gangster
I'll admit that I'm not a hair boater. I wanted a boat that would be a safe and predictable river-runner that would allow me to run class IV creeks and easy class V runs with confidence. For the lower volume runs that I do, I was between the Mafia and the Gangster. I ultimately decided on the Gangster because it carries it's width a bit longer so I thought it would make for a better conversion. I think this was a good decision for me. It was a close call and I think the Mafia would have been a good choice as well. The Gangster is quite fast and very predictable. Flat or on a slight lean, you get speed, if you lean it a bit more, you get fast turns. It is very forgiving. I found that I could back off turns when I felt I had over-committed and the boat would give me a pass. It ramps over rocks and holes with ease and speed. It is as reliable a boat as I've paddled. It behaves like you want it to when you need it to -- exactly what i want in a creeker. Also the easiest rolling boat I've ever been in. It felt like it wanted to right itself. The cockpit rim rises in such a way that it is a very comfortable conversion.
Me:
6'1"
185 lbs
Dragorossi Fish
This boat is the best conversion I have ever paddled. I'm really not one to hype up just anything I paddle. I am really enthusiastic about this boat and have not been so excited about a new design since I paddled the Disco. This boat is excellent down-river. I find that the edges allow for so much boat control that I can take fewer strokes. Like most of Corran's playboats, the edges are key. If it's not your style to utilize edges to hold speed and make turns, you might want to look at something else. That said, the boat is extremely fast and makes turns with subtle engagements of the rockered edge. The interaction of the hard edge with the concave of the rocker is like nothing I've ever felt -- best control imaginable. The edges are on the aggressive side but I don't find the boat to be "spanky" like some of Corran's past, hard-edged designs. The Fish is everything that it claims to be in holes and on waves. I think the real story is that it is also a solid river-runner and a design that translates exceptionally well into a C-1. I cannot say enough good about this boat.
Dragorossi Stinger
As with most boats, I gave this design a test drive as a kayak before getting one to convert. There were many things I liked about it as a kayak like it's quick edge transfer and stability on edge. I thought it would be a stable river cruiser and that it would be a better river runner than the Fish. I was wrong. This boat did not make a good conversion at all. As a c-1, it was fairly unstable and soft on the edges. I think this has a lot to do with the narrow surface underneath the seat. Though wide enough from sidewall to sidewall, the side-cuts underneath the water-line make it effectively narrow -- a problem for any c-1 conversion. I still believe this boat to be a good design for a less aggressive kayak playboater or for a kayaker interested in an all-around boat but I wouldn't push it as a C-1 design. I switched to the Fish and it was the best decision I ever made.
Dragorossi Gangster
I'll admit that I'm not a hair boater. I wanted a boat that would be a safe and predictable river-runner that would allow me to run class IV creeks and easy class V runs with confidence. For the lower volume runs that I do, I was between the Mafia and the Gangster. I ultimately decided on the Gangster because it carries it's width a bit longer so I thought it would make for a better conversion. I think this was a good decision for me. It was a close call and I think the Mafia would have been a good choice as well. The Gangster is quite fast and very predictable. Flat or on a slight lean, you get speed, if you lean it a bit more, you get fast turns. It is very forgiving. I found that I could back off turns when I felt I had over-committed and the boat would give me a pass. It ramps over rocks and holes with ease and speed. It is as reliable a boat as I've paddled. It behaves like you want it to when you need it to -- exactly what i want in a creeker. Also the easiest rolling boat I've ever been in. It felt like it wanted to right itself. The cockpit rim rises in such a way that it is a very comfortable conversion.
