C-Forum

Does such a boat exist? (I'm on the market for a replacement for my Shaman).

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Prodigy (11'7") fits the bill. Great allarounder. You can fit quite a bunch of gears in there for multi-days trips, but still fun on every occasions.

If you can find an old dagger good: Bell construction isn't the best. Get wood gunnels if you have to go with bell.

I am sure that "fast and stable" are relative terms and subject to interpretation, but I get along well with my Ocoees. As mentioned above the Bell construction is rather cheesy compared to the Dagger version, but don't they also make the Prodigy and wouldn't the problems be the same? I'm not certain if I've ever even seen a Raven, but if you like asymmetrical hulls it might be worth the look:http://www.esquif.com/2008/canot_en.php?id=31

Spark Although "stable" is a relative term

At exactly 12' is the Outrage, more stable than the Spark.

How long is the Zephyr? That's probably a good bet.

Viper 11 too.

Because fast & stable are such relative terms, you're basically just going to get the list of boats just under 12'.

Zephyr & Prodigy might be best for stability & speed.

Pat.

Zephyr is 11' 3''

[quote="dcoc1"]Does such a boat exist?[quote]

I paddle the Prodigy X, which is longer than you want (12'8", I think), but it is all of that.

The regular Prodigy is probably as stable but slower, though it still might be relatively fast for a 12-footer.

I'll second the spark

http://www.esquif.com/2008/canot_en.php?id=7

The Spark is a fun boat, and the stability isn't too bad... but I wouldn't call it stable.

viper 11

At just a shade over 12 --you wont beat the stability of the probe 12- if you are a lighter kind of guy, maybe look at the probe 11

The Zephyr is friendly, light, and fast (mainly due to its weight).

Knowing the way you like to paddle, you should just get the Spark. If you can paddle your prelude reasonably well stability should not be an issue.

Just to muddy the water a bit more....I'd say both of these would do.



INFERNO

A shorter and deeper version of the Ignitor. High performance. Medium rocker.
Length: 11'1" Width: 25.5" at 4" waterline. Depth: 16" Weight: 24 lbs



RUMBA

This solo canoe is a shorter, symmetrical version of the Defiant. Extreme rocker.

Length: 11'11" Width:28" waterline. Depth:15" Weight: 28 lbs.

A certainly be faster, than any of the other suggestions .

Thanks much to everyone for the thoughts so far.

Does anyone else out there have experience with the Prodigy (the shorter one)? That boat had not been on my radar at all.

To provide some more context, my first boat is/was a Shaman - super stable, very fast. Being my first boat it has been totally abused and is probably at the end of its useful life without major repairs that would likely add a fair amount to it's already cumbersome weight. Also, it's just really, really long.

I got a Prelude several months ago, and am having fun with it, but the (lack of) stability currently makes me uncomfortable using it on more challening or unfamiliar runs.

While I'm getting up to speed with the Prelude and for bigger water I'm looking for a boat to fill the gap of my very-soon-to-be-retired Shaman.

I've had my eye on the Spark, but I'm concerened about stability.

Anyway, I'm 5'11" / 145 lbs. so some of the shorter boats mentioned might work (Viper 11, Prodigy, Spark).

It's too bad it's not easier to demo boats.

That's enough rambling...

Thanks again.