Which slalom boat??

[canotrouge]

I'm wondering which slalom C1 would work for a guy my size, I'm 6'2", 230lbs, size 13 feet!! I would like to know of different models, old school is good, preferred actually, I don't need the latest design...

Thank you
David

[ezwater]

I have a '96 Dagger Zealot, and it fits my 6' 5" frame and size 15 feet. I set it up with a 5.75" minicell pedestal. I weighed about 210 when I was paddling it. Now it mostly hangs in the rafters because my knees complain when I kneel that low for more than a quarter hour.

At 230 pounds, you will overload even the biggest slalom c-1s more than I did. But that doesn't mean the hulls will handle badly, or that you can't do citizen races like I did.

Older hulls I would avoid include the Maverick and Maverick Plus. Fast, but too tubular.

I suggest you call or email Davey and Jennifer Hearn at Maximum Whitewater Performance. They are excellent resources for good used c-1 slalom boats, and will know which would be more suitable for you.

[old and in the way]

I'm 6-0, 210 and am at the top of the range for my Loco, but that design (or the more recent Robin Bell design Scorcho) would work out ok for you IMHO. I've been way overweight for boat designs many times over my simple citizen racer career and it's never been a real problem, although I once had a Nereus that had been cut down for a junior and I made that look like a squirt boat.

Good luck in your search.

[canotrouge]

Thank you, I'm not looking at racing, just a boat to practice things, technique etc...

[Yukon]

My Elaho is based off a Cudamax hull with a bigger volume deck and ends cut back

[KNeal]

I do encourage you to consider a Maverick Plus as it has some of the most volume of slalom boats. Also take a look at a Fanatic 2 (a Fanatic hull with volume added to bow). Davey Hearn's Dynamic or a Super Dynamic may be worthwhile and also add that Zealot to the list of boats to try. The Loco is one of the largest newer slalom c-1's.

Good luck, have fun, and keep us up-to-date.

[Sir Adam]

If you are looking to paddle, not race, check out the Millbrook Amoeba too... as well as the Wide Ride perhaps...

[canotrouge]

Ok cool, that makes for a lot of choices!! We'll see what I can come up with!!
Thank you.

[clt_capt]

Believe it or not, the current crop of slalom boats are pretty good size wise - I started paddling my Vajda Scream XXL at 210 - it is rated at 187 lbs, but does just fine with a larger paddler- it has a much larger bow than many of the older boats. I have an old Zealot that "feels" smaller even though it is a 4 meter boat - but the zealot is a fun boat.

I would definitely stay away from superbat, extrabat, Fanatic - much smaller, thinner bow.

[sbroam]

my maverick plus floats my 225# just fine and, despite its reputation, it can be turned (especially with extra weight, muscle, and technique). it is fast...