C-Forum

Still being in college buying a used boat is my only option. Im coming from a mohawk xl-13 and having the oppurtunity to purchase a dagger ovation or a mohawk probe 12. Im 6' 2" and 150 lbs, I know I'm a bean pole. The xl-13 is a good boat it is just to big for me. So what do yall think would be a good fit for me?

take the probe unless you can find a viper. I have not been in the ovation but there are others here that have.

Is it an old 13' "Probe 12", or new Probe 12 (which used to be the 12II)?

At your weight I might go for the smaller boat, though Ovations are know to be slow. You've got lots of reach for the 12, so no problems there in the bigger boat. Depends on your style and your rivers.

Get 'em both, try 'em out, and then re-sell the one you aren't as comfortable in.

Pat.

I like the Ovation much more than the Probe 12. It seems to catch eddies and surf better to me. I believe I would concur with the thought of buying both if I could and then eliminate the one I liked the least or at least try them both out before buying. The Ovation rolls pretty easy but I've never tried to roll the Probe.

i haven't had the opportunity to paddle the mohawk in question but i liked my ovation so much i replaced it with another one. sure it is slow with the bulbous ends but it depends what you are going to use it for. i've found the ovation to be exceptional at surfing and spinning. i've used it up to class four and it is relatively dry. others on here will tell you different but i like mine, a lot.

Both of the boats in question that I am looking at have bilge pumps installed so a wet ride isnt that big of deal. Just looking for something that will excel in narrrow low volume creek runs that are common place here in Arkansas. Having a boat that could excel in surfing would just be a plus for in the summertime. I have rode in a probe 13 and liked how stable it was as well as how much quicker it was than my xl 13.

Low volume and surfing... sounds like you wouldn't regret spending some time in the Ovation. Go with the smaller boat on your smaller creeks.

Pat.

I really like my probe 12. Very stable, but yet it turns on on a dime. It is much more responsive than the XL series. You will feel like you went from a tank to a sportscar.

Both boats are really stable but the Ovation is nearly two feet shorter. With the way the Ovation spins and being a shorter boat you know you are going to be able to stuff it into micro eddy a little easier. Don't get me wrong the Probes are nice boats but with the type of use you describe...take the shorter boat.

Doesn't matter which one of those you get you ain't goin to be happy, keep lookin

CJT,

Louie says that about a lot of boats that a lot of perfectly happy people enjoy paddling!

Get whatever you now to get started, and Louie can talk you into a Taureau later.

Pat.

Perfectly happy if they happen to own them already. But neither is a good choice for a light paddler.

I am leaning more towards the ovation because it has the mike yee outfitting. Found a cu fly for about the same price but I dont know how it would function as a river runnerf? Only have year and half left of college, then I will be able to spend some $$$ on something I am dying for aka the spanish fly. Oh yea thanks for all the comments guys, just kind of sick of paddling my xl-13.

EZ (or others),

What's wrong with an Ovation at 150lbs? Is it a corky boat that needs to be weighed down a bit? At 11' and not fast, it probably doesn't want too much weight either.

If not something like an Ovation, what few open boats would you limit your recommendation to?...

150lbs, 6'2" (so lots of reach); moving up from a tub; looking for used, affordable and good outfitting; for use on narrow, low-volume creeks.

Some people may not like the Ovation (like any boat), but I can't see steering somebody away from it?! Beats the heack out of staying in an XL13 for low creeks!

Pat.

Yarnell I didn't say a Teaurea, I said sumthin else. If all he ever paddles is big deep water a Royalex is OK but if he is ever goin to any creeks Royalex suxs. The Ovaulation double suxs I built the moldin table for the Ovaulation and it is a dog. It is like a bulldozer It doesn't cut throu the water It tries to push the water. Why should he waste his money on a boat that wasn't very good when it came out and has gotton worse as so many other better boat came along. You must be kin to my first wife she though she could read my too.