C-Forum

Hello all, I have been kayaking for around 20 yrs and have done some open boating along the way. I have gotten the itch for a solo boat and have been looking @ the Ocoee's, Viper 11, Outrage, Zephyr etc. Having been in small boats for so long I tend to lean toward shorter, however I don't wan' t to steepen my learning curve too drastically.
I am 5' 10" 220lbs and prior to my brief boating hiatus was a solid class IV-V paddler. Any suggs would be welcome. Thanks Chris

Chris,

I'm 5'9 180lbs. I started paddling an Outrage. Great boat! I finally decided to get a slightly shorter and more aggressive boat that is easier to surf. I demoed a Bell Ocoee for a weekend loved it, then demoed Zephyr for one day and loved it even more. They are both fantastic boats. The Zephyr is slightly easier to paddle and is much lighter (twintex). People have posted about them breaking but I have had no issues with mine, and I paddle class 2-4 rocky/boney runs in the SE.

I can't comment on the Viper 11, but it looks good too. Heard it's wet. Also, I believe the same person designed the Ocoee & Viper (Frankie Hubbard). Try a Zephyr, not sure but you may be pushing the upper weight limit. It will help that you have whitewater experience. There have been a lot of posts on these boats in the past so do a search.

Good Luck!
phil

I'm 5'10", 220#+/- and am fine in the Zephyr.

I'm about your size. Paddling an Outrage right now.

I've really liked the Zephyr; thought I sunk the Ocoee's sharper edges a little too much; if I were to get a Viper, I'd probably be looking at the 12'.

That's all pretty personal though - big picture, you'll be fine in any of those boats if you like 'em.

PY.

If you want a good boat to learn and build confidence in and you don't want to stay on your A Game look at a Mohawk Probe 12. Cheap, great boat that will let you paddle a wide variety of water.......not a Class IV/V boat though, but with that said I banged mine down Five Falls several times.

The Ocoee and Viper are great boats but you have to learn the edges, the Outrage(X) is a boat that everyone that owns one LOVES and I've never even seen a Zephyr on the river.

Thanks for the info! I will be going to GAF and hope to pick up a boat early (Fri. nite or Sat. am) and paddle Sat. & Sun. I have heard about difficulty in outfitting the Zephyr. I used to hang at the cabin w/ Frankie so I would like to try one of his designs. I'll see what is available. Worst case scenario I take my K boat and just paddle it. Thanks again for the responses. See ya'll on the water.
Chris