C-Forum

I am finaly getting to take a class in WW canoe. I need to get a PFD and a helmet. I have looked but need opinions on the best choice that will not break the bank as I do not know if I will like the sport or not. I am thinking 100.00 or so on the PFD and ??? on the helmet. I have a around a 54" chest so I will need something that comes in XXL. Thanks for the help.

Don

Just think about how much your LIFE is worth when buying these items. Look at Stohlquist, and Kokatat for PFD's- most will be over $100. Helmets- I would recommend WRSI, and they are affordable. Good luck in the class, remeber its suppose to be fun so don't get frustrated if things don't come together right away, just keep the smile on!
B

What cbcboat said. Go to a paddling gear shop and talk with them about what is available and try some out. Lot's of good choices out there.

KNeal

cbcboat wrote:Just think about how much your LIFE is worth when buying these items. Look at Stohlquist, and Kokatat for PFD's- most will be over $100. Helmets- I would recommend WRSI, and they are affordable. Good luck in the class, remeber its suppose to be fun so don't get frustrated if things don't come together right away, just keep the smile on!
B

Great Advice! If money is tight I'd go with high quality lightly used over cheap and new. With the helmet try to buy from a trusted person who can tell you that the helmet never sustained a big hit.

Kind of like toothbrushes I don't buy helmets used You can't always tell the condition with a visual inspection.

Life jackets, I'll consider used - if it is not sunfaded, the flotation is still resilient, and the stitches are in good order, it should be OK. A second hand, high quality *paddling* vest will be better than a brand new "ski" vest from the Wally-World. A paddling vest will be much more comfortable and likely more durable.

It is not so much that I can't afford one I just don't want to spend a lot of money before I know I will stick with it. And as for gear shops they are few and far between in SE Ohio. As close as I could get with any selection would be Fayetteville WV and that is about 3 hours. I found one I liked the looks of from REI. It is the Kokatat Ronin.

Don

sbroam wrote:Kind of like toothbrushes I don't buy helmets used You can't always tell the condition with a visual inspection.

Life jackets, I'll consider used - if it is not sunfaded, the flotation is still resilient, and the stitches are in good order, it should be OK. A second hand, high quality *paddling* vest will be better than a brand new "ski" vest from the Wally-World. A paddling vest will be much more comfortable and likely more durable.

And paddling vests often have impact protection in key places. Couple weeks ago I took a spill in shallow water and landed on a rock on my side. My vest has a thick plastic plate on the side to protect the ribs and the rock hit directly on the plate. That night I had a gnarly bruise there. I wonder what it would have been like with no padding there...

It is not so much that I can't afford one I just don't want to spend a lot of money before I know I will stick with it. And as for gear shops they are few and far between in SE Ohio.

The good news is that once it initially depreciates, paddling gear holds its value pretty well. The other option is to borrow from a friend until you decide you are all in. That vest from REI looks like a good deal. Some of the features (rescue, etc) that more expensive vests come with may not be as useful for someone just starting out anyway.

If you are heavy go with the 22+ lb pfd. I am about 260 now and the 16 lb works fine normally but in big water if you want to keep your head above water go with the extra flotation. I am going to need the 22lb+ Right now I am looking at a 25lb Big Bouy by MTI

Now don't take this the wrong way but fat floats. What I am saying is body fat actually helps your bouyancy. So if you are 6'2" and are 260# but most of that is muscle than I would consider a high float PFD. If that 260# isn't a large amount of muscle, most of us have body fat, than I wouldn't worry so much about a high float pfd. Also the more float the more bulky the pfd. You're just starting right, so you won't really be running 'big' water right away. Get a pfd that fits and is comfortable is your #1 priority.

I hear there is a good shop in Dayton I believe called the Whitewater Warehouse. Supposed to have lots of selection. Don't know how far that is from you or if you are familiar with it but my local paddling shop here in Lexington, KY sings their praises.

I agree on the previous recommendations. I am 6'4" and 265 and I wear a Lotus Rio Grande with about 16lbs of floatation and have no problem. If you think you are going to like it then get good gear and that will make you love it. I take care of my stuff but my life jacket is almost 10 years old and still looks quite good and I can and do wear it all day comfortably on the river and off with no issues.

The folks up at Whitewater Warehouse up in Dayton are great, but if you're coming from SE Ohio, it's an awfully long haul.

I've never dealt with them personally, but I've heard good things about Paddle Power in Chillicothe, OH. I'd also be surprised if you couldn't find something around Athens, OH since it's a college town and is smack dab in the middle of the Hocking Hills area. Google found a place called Wild Mercantile LTD. in Athens, but there is currently no functioning website I could find. There was a ph. number: (740) 594-5198

Phreon

I have been to Wild Merc. it is a good store but not really being in a Whitewater area lacks selection in the PFD department. Also I am above advrage size and most places dot stock many PFD's in the 50+ chest range. I will try Paddle Power and see. A phone call is cheep these days. Also when you live in SE Ohio you kind of get use to driving a couple hours to get to anything.

Thanks to all who have helped. If I can figure this canoe thing out I hope to paddle with you some time. This is just the first of much advice and help I will need. I am using the instructors boat for the class so this fall I hope to start canoe shopping. Everyone get your ideas ready for a new boater of large size looking for a starter canoe.

Don