C-Forum

I would like to take my wife and daughter on whitewater trips. Nothing too big, Class I - II since they are novices. I am an avid OC1 boater but my wife prefers kayaking (It's the double paddle thing she finds easier). I've been to a local store to get advice, but I would like to hear what you think. I am considering purchasing a creeker style kayak that I could also fit into. There are a lot of small creeks that I wouldn't mind trying out in the spring. I think my canoe is simply to long for these waters (Esquif Raven 11'3").

Here's the catch...I'm 5'11", 190 lbs and my wife is 5'2" at 115-120 lbs. The lad at the store told me that my wife would have too much of a hard time handling a boat that I could fit into, that she would be much better off with a smaller size kayak.

I know that if she wanted to, my wife could get into my Raven and paddle it down a small rapid with no problem at all. But when it come to kayaks...I have no idea.

What do you guys think?


(If it wasn't for the price tag I think I'd get my wife a l'Edge and let her use a kayak paddle!...Hey, wait a minute! Not a bad idea... Any used l'Edge for sale out there? )

You might find a boat both of you will fit in, but neither of you will be happy. But, since it is going to be her boat.... You might be better of creeking in the Raven (some gnarly stuff has been run in a viper 11) or getting a L'Edge/Option/Prelude for creeking.

Listen to the guy at the store. Any K1 that would work for you would be miserable for someone your wife's size to paddle.

Given the size difference I think you would both be happiest with different sized boats.

I think that it would have to be a tiny steep creek for an 11'3" boat to be too big. Lots of the Southeastern classics were canoed first in 16 footers. Anyway, the size disparity between you and your wife is too big to use the same boat with good results. Also, a river runner will be more playful than a creeker but less tricky than a playboat. Something like a Remix 59 or small Mamba would be a good start as they are forgiving and creekable but far better surfers than most creek boats.

It broke my heart when my wife said she preferred the kayak to the canoe, but we found her a Jefe with just one crack which was easily welded (but it was cheap). I thought she would hate that boat as she's only about 120lbs, which is right at the minimum weight range for the boat, but to my surprise, she likes it a lot.

So my answer would be that it really depends on your wife's preferences and how aggresively she paddles. Mine is happy sort of bobbing over the worst of the water in her Jefe, for now at least.

A kayak that both of you could paddle? On Cboats.net?


O.k. ... here's what I'd get http://liquidlogickayaks.com/remix69.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Craig Smerda wrote:A kayak that both of you could paddle? On Cboats.net?


O.k. ... here's what I'd get http://liquidlogickayaks.com/remix69.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sorry for the kayak question... Didn't mean to pollute the forum... I paddle an Esquif Raven I assure you!

I was just thinking that if I were to buy my wife a boat and that she would use it maybe 2 - 3 times a year I might as well get something that I could use myself once in a while. The thing is my wife feels more secure in a canoe but finds she can paddle better in a kayak because of the blade. Wait a minute!!!! Would it be considered a sacrilege if she paddled a l'Edge with a double blade paddle???? Oooooo....l'Edge.......Creeking.... Me like that idea!

Come on now... I need a good excuse to buy me a l'Edge !!!!

I've been married for over ten years now and I've found it best for peace and happiness to compromise with my wife. My marital advice to you is this... buy her a nice used Remix and get yourself a brand new L'edge... possibly a green one if there's any left.

Sincerely,
Dr. Phil

Craig Smerda wrote:I've been married for over ten years now and I've found it best for peace and happiness to compromise with my wife. My marital advice to you is this... buy her a nice used Remix and get yourself a brand new L'edge... possibly a green one if there's any left.

Sincerely,
Dr. Phil

Thanks doc !

From someone who has been there, made a false start, and then got a chance to try again and got unbelievably lucky with the results: If you are serious about getting the chance to have a willing and enthusiastic paddling partner, don't buy a boat for your wife. It's that simple.

Facilitate the process, get her to the shop, let her talk to the salespeople, load boats on the car so she can demo them, hand her the charge card, offer advice if she asks, and then close your eyes, cover your ears and get the hades out. (Oh, and let her pick out the paddle and gear she wants, too.)

I can guarantee that some things about her decision will not sit will with you. But if she's going to have any chance at taking off, she needs ownership of her own craft, with your support. I understand the temptation to compromise, and not to get a dedicated boat because you think she'll only get out a couple of times. The problem is that this is a self-fulfilling prophesy. If you get the right boat for her, there's a downside risk that you might end up selling some lightly-used gear in a year or two. But trust me, you're allowing yourself the chance end up on the other end of the spectrum, where the woman you though you knew starts saying strange things like "Where are we paddling this weekend?" and "I'm getting bored of Class III all the time."

Sorry - it's clear I have an opinion on these things. Don't even get me started on third-party instruction. But at the very least, I have to agree with the folks above - you two will not be able to paddle the same boat effectively.

If I understand the goal is to get to paddle with her, and have her enjoy it, and on whitewater vs. flat water.

Assuming you are talking about warm weather paddling, get a ducky. Seriously. They are serious summer fun, and it will be a good experience for her.

My take is I'd rather have my wife paddling with two blades vs. not paddling at all. At least SHE flat water canoes;)

Ducky wise I'm a huge fan of the NRS bandit - light weight and forgiving. If i was purchasing one for ME I'd get a ThrillSeeker:)

Shmerda is onto something. We need to add a filter for that dirty word.

And ditto to what Walsh said about letting your wife do the shopping while you patiently stand by (and browse for anything else cboating while you're at it.).

Get something like a Dagger Mamba with creeker outfitting or Kenali more river runner less edge to catch especially if she is new at it.

Let her try as many boats as are available... I know when my GF was looking for a new creekboat We must have borrowed half a dozen boats and paddled them all on the same stretch of water until she knew what she wanted. It suprised me that she actually fell for a Diesel 75 (given that she's 5'2" and well under the weight range), but it became apparent that it was the one.