Riot Air 55 as a C1?

Skip On Ocoee · Post by **Skip On Ocoee** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:42 am

what do you guys think of this idea.

A Riot Air 55 as a C1, do you think it would be a good freestyle boat or do you think it would be a little slow due to the fact that its only 6'2"(187cm). Cause from what i hear its got a good bounciness to it as well as carvability.

Tell me what you all think.

Skip On Ocoee

cbcboat · Post by **cbcboat** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:19 pm

The Air is one of the fastest hulls out there for its length, so speed probably not the main issue. One thing I would say is that it is not very symmetrical and has virtualy no stern, which may or may not be an issue. Also the Riot cockpit size is fairly small so you may have a tough time gettin in/ not jamming your thighs on the cockpit rim. then again yuo may fit right in. My 2 Cents.
B

kneeler · Post by **kneeler** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:08 pm

I converted both the Air 55 and the Air 60.

I'm 6'1" and ~180lbs. The 55 was too small. It took too much effort to keep the ends from sinking and I couldn't take really aggressive strokes without plowing the bow until I was vertical.

The 60 was much better but a little on the big side. For me, the ideal size would have been somewhere in the middle (57?). I much preferred the 60. This is especially true as a river runner. As a pure river runner, the Air 60 was very nice.

I didn't especially like how either the Air 55 or the Air 60 cartwheeled but they both made acceptable playboats. You can throw clean ends forever but the movement isn't very symmetrical.

If you are interested in an Air 60, I've got one gutted that I'd let go for next to nothing (interesting trade?). It's just taking up space at the moment.

Skip On Ocoee · Post by **Skip On Ocoee** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:15 pm

well the problem for me with an Air 60 would be that i'm only 6' and 165lbs

so for me it would be like trying to throw around a cruise ship.

But i do really appreciate the offer, if you have any other great playboats similar to the Air that are a little smaller that your looking to sell(or maybe another Cboater friend?) i'd love to check them out.

kneeler · Post by **kneeler** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 1:09 am

If you have an Air 55 already, you might want to give it a try. It might be a little more manageable at your weight. If you are going to buy a boat, I'd suggest you look at something different.

I had to heat and bend the cockpit rim to fit in the Air 55. I just used a heat gun and threw a towel over my legs and sat in it until it cooled. It wasn't very difficult.

Craig Smerda has a Dragorossi Fish for sale in the Boats and Gear for Sale forum that is a pretty sweet deal. I'd buy it if I didn't already have one.

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:06 am

The ASTRO makes a much better conversion. The Air is a fun wave boat, but not very versatile or balanced. There are alot of other good boats out there.

Skip On Ocoee · Post by **Skip On Ocoee** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:38 am

the astro eh? I actually just found a deal for a 54, but i'm a little skeptical about it. From what ive read from the reviews, it seems for a river runner. But then again, the guys reviewing it were kayakers

.

But how does it perform from a c-1 perspective?(sliciness, bounce, speed etc etc.) Also whats your body build?.... that question could be worded a little differently...

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:10 pm

Skip On Ocoee wrote:the astro eh? I actually just found a deal for a 54, but i'm a little skeptical about it. From what ive read from the reviews, it seems for a river runner. But then again, the guys reviewing it were kayakers .

But how does it perform from a c-1 perspective?(sliciness, bounce, speed etc etc.) Also whats your body build?.... that question could be worded a little differently...

It's not a river runner. It's a playboat designed by Steve Fisher. It's got a great bounce, and better balance. Paul Danks paddle one on mini bus at the worlds earlier this year. It is slicy enough you can throw it around easy, has decent rocker, the edge is pretty hard mind you, but it likes to bounce, speed wise it's pretty quick for a butt bouncer style.

Not sure where your reading your reviews, but generally a good kayak will make a good c1 conversion. Extra Balance, speed, and width is always nice tho.

im 6ft 165lbs.