C-Forum

What do you put on the car when you don't know where you are going in the AM?

I have a three boats in the quiver, a Cascade, a Redline, and a Bulldog. When I'm going to my home creek and I know the level's going to be low, I take the Redline, when I know it's going to be high enough I take the Bulldog.

But when the rain's coming and I have no idea where I'm going in the morning, I always take the Cascade, it's my forgiving boat. It forgives my bad technique, it forgives me for finding rocks, and when the wave troughs are big enough that I can't see anybody else it forgives me for hanging on a low brace.

So, what's your go to when you don't know what you are going to get on?

Whitewater :
Oc-1 - Spanish Fly
c-1 - Remix 79

Flat water -
Might there be a rock? Interlude
No rocks? Explorer or patriot

But in the spirit of your question, I'll say - Spanish Fly

When we drive around the Lower 48, I almost always carry my Mad River Synergy. At 15' long and relatively "tubular", it makes an acceptable cruiser on flattish rivers, but while a bit "wet" in heavy water, it can handle up through class 3 quite adequately.

If I were having Kaz lay up a boat for similar use, something smaller and lighter, I might choose a Rival, which is more "tubular" and a good cruiser on the flats. If I contemplated tandem use, I might have him lay up a 15' 6" Coho, which has some rocker and is susceptible to solo use also. The Souhegan looks a bit small for tandem use to me, though it must be fine for solo poling.

Agree with you on the Spanish Fly SBroam.

Dagger Quake for 95% of scenarios. Maybe the Shredder for high water!

OCtane91 https://youtu.be/fmKhPnVDdpA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nice job Hazard! That baby will stand out from the rest...like how the bigfoot bags fit in there too

for me, go-to boat=only boat... Option!

grab the one and only Option ... 3rd gen Option .... Orange and ready to go

Todhunter wrote:Dagger Quake for 95% of scenarios. . .

Interesting choice, Matt. Lots of positive comments about 'current' designs (Option, Fly) but not so much about older school hulls. Would love you to amplify your positive comments about the Quake.

Thanks in anticipation!

Rick

I've got 17 boats in my quiver. I still prefer the Outrage over all the others. I'll take something else on the steep creeks so that I don't wear out the Outrage too soon.

No question....Outrage. Cant wait to see the Millbrook version.

Gyramax (seriously) - I've got hundreds of runs in it and it is so familiar and forgiving. Best for nothing but works for everything.

Quake or Ocoee...Can have fun anywhere on either boat really...

My go-to boat for 5 or 6 years was the Prelude. In fact, except for solo tripping, it was all I paddled. Now that go-to boat is becoming the Option. I'm really liking its even shorter length and handling characteristics. I've learned to handle its slower hull speed by increasing the frequency of my strokes to maintain the momentum. Definitely a well-made, tough hull. Great play boat for eddy catching and surfing.