Replacement for Shaman?

dcoc1 · Post by **dcoc1** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 4:44 pm

My Shaman has seen better days and it's time for a new boat.

I recently purchased a Prelude, so I've got that style of boat/paddling covered.

What I'm looking for is a boat with somewhat less volume and length than the Shaman (something in the sub-12' range) but with similar slalomish-type paddling characteristcs (presumably eliminating a boat like the Ocoee from consideration).

Obviously, a Spark is on my radar screen. Maybe a Prodigy?

Any thoughts would be appreciated...

Dooleyoc-1 · Post by **Dooleyoc-1** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 5:29 pm

For what you're looking for I would recommend the Spark. Period.

marclamenace · Post by **marclamenace** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 5:33 pm

The spark is a great boat. The material isn't the toughest, though, one of my budies boat is wearing out fairly quick. Not only it is thin (meant for being light) but the outer layer is some kind of a camouflage "sticker" that seems to peel of somehow easily...

A twin-tex spark would be a dream to have...

kaz · Post by **kaz** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 5:58 pm

Or a composite Spark.

JKaz

dcoc1 · Post by **dcoc1** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:20 pm

Thanks for the Spark recommendations/confirmations.

How does the Spark handle on bigger water like the New River Gorge or Lower Gauley? I've heard that it tends to be a somewhat wet boat (but I guess that's what a pump is for).

Dooleyoc-1 · Post by **Dooleyoc-1** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:30 pm

It's great for big water. I run it down the Upper Gauley all the time.

It's slightly wetter than some boats in it's size range. I think it's wetter than an ocoee. Foti has a theory that boats with more stern rocker are dryer because it allows them to ride up and over waves better. The ocoee has more rocker in its stern. (of course less stern rocker makes the spark faster which is nice)

cheajack · Post by **cheajack** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:41 pm

OK Kaz fes up. Can you make a composite Spark or would the Inferno be awfully close?

ncdavid · Post by **ncdavid** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:15 pm

I thought th Esquif Spark was the Royalite approximation of the Millbrook Ignitor.

cheajack · Post by **cheajack** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:42 pm

Spark: 11'8"L X 25"W X 15 1/2" D
Inferno: 11'1"L X 25.5"W X 16"D
Ignitor: 13'2"L X 26"W X 16"D

kaz · Post by **kaz** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:23 pm

The Spark is a shorter Ignitor. The Inferno is a shorter combination of the two.
JKaz

2opnboat1 · Post by **2opnboat1** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:22 am

Viper 11 Rocks

Motoari · Post by **Motoari** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:56 am

Spark , Inferno and Ignitor video is here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CePyFelVTP4

gumpy · Post by **gumpy** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:17 pm

i like the lines of the "brave chicken"!

dcoc1 · Post by **dcoc1** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:16 pm

The "Brave Chicken" is an Inferno?

What are people's thoughts regarding the relative durability of a composite boat like the Inferno vs. a royalite boat like the Spark (assuming that the paddler is known to have the occasional run-in with rocks both large and small)?

kaz · Post by **kaz** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:38 pm

Yes the Brave Chicken is an Inferno.
Provided you don't hit rocks on purpose, a composite boat should last at least 25 years. (Yes, some people do.) My first composite boat that I purchased in 1980 is still being paddled regularly today. Obviously there is a place where you would not want to take a composite boat. That's why you need at least 2 boats, 1 in glass, 1 in rubber. Just my opinion coming from a composite boat manufacturer.

C-Forum

Replacement for Shaman?

Replacement for Shaman?

maybe the Viper 11