converting rafter
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 6:07 am
Hello.
I am a confident raft guide and class IV inflatable kayaker of Northern California rivers finding may way to whitewater canoeing.
I often kneel while paddling class 4 in an IK, and enjoy using a raft paddle in class 3. While guiding on the Trinity I got to see a few open canoes run some rapids on the Pigeon Point run. I have been fascinated ever since. No opportunity to try one yet, but a canoe seems like a lot of fun.
6' 160lbs, confident reading water, strong J stroke, good balance. After much research I really like the Esquif Raven, Viper 11, a few others around 11' length with some rocker, dry as possible, rollable. I can roll a kayak in a pool, but I'm not interested in hardshell kayaking right now. How swamped is an open canoe after a successful combat roll? I want to be able to run wave trains, punch some holes, boof when needed, and catch small eddies. I will likely be the only canoe amongst kayaks and rafts around here, so I would like to be able to keep up with other types of boats.
I would love to be able to run an open canoe down the North Fork of the Feather and the Pit River, class IV, pretty continuous at times. Is this crazy or am I on the right track?
Also: Seems hard to get a whitewater canoe in California, best options? Anyone with a used boat for sale? Looking to buy one very soon.
Thanks.
I am a confident raft guide and class IV inflatable kayaker of Northern California rivers finding may way to whitewater canoeing.
I often kneel while paddling class 4 in an IK, and enjoy using a raft paddle in class 3. While guiding on the Trinity I got to see a few open canoes run some rapids on the Pigeon Point run. I have been fascinated ever since. No opportunity to try one yet, but a canoe seems like a lot of fun.
6' 160lbs, confident reading water, strong J stroke, good balance. After much research I really like the Esquif Raven, Viper 11, a few others around 11' length with some rocker, dry as possible, rollable. I can roll a kayak in a pool, but I'm not interested in hardshell kayaking right now. How swamped is an open canoe after a successful combat roll? I want to be able to run wave trains, punch some holes, boof when needed, and catch small eddies. I will likely be the only canoe amongst kayaks and rafts around here, so I would like to be able to keep up with other types of boats.
I would love to be able to run an open canoe down the North Fork of the Feather and the Pit River, class IV, pretty continuous at times. Is this crazy or am I on the right track?
Also: Seems hard to get a whitewater canoe in California, best options? Anyone with a used boat for sale? Looking to buy one very soon.
Thanks.