Recommendation for river runner C1

[C1Be1]

I’m looking for a boat to convert to c1. It needs to be something I can comfortably run up to class 4 in but still have the ability to stern squirt and basic surfing/flat spins. I have access to a dagger atom but haven’t tried it out yet. Also not sure of the capabilities of that boat. Open to any suggestions!

[Sir Adam]

How much do you weigh, and how tall are you?

For the right weight the Atom would be a great fit for what you are trying to do (well, it's not going to flat spin...).

If your local rivers / paddling style fit with it I'd go for a Shaggy Sith if you can track one down - awesome all around boat (well, I wouldn't creek in it!).

[C1Be1]

around 110 pound and 5ft 2

[Sir Adam]

180 or so seems a good weight for stern squirting the Atom, at your weight it may be impossible quite frankly.

A cut down Shaggy Sith may work, but at your weight you may want to try a Acrobat; though it is a squirt boat for many, you may need the stern volume that low to squirt easily.

There are likely shorter, more "corky" boats that may work as well, though I'm not sure how well they would do as river runners; I'm more old school longer boat for river running and not up on the latest short play boats folks are converting.

If you are anywhere near upstate NY I have an atom and acrobat (as well as "a few" others) you, or anyone else, are welcome to check out.

[poetry_heckler]

Okay, I've got a question. What's the best conversion for all-around whitewater cruising?

I'm not interested in stern squirting for the purposes of this discussion. Just a kayak that should've been a C1. Fast, nimble, and not hole bait. Something that could run everything but super tight insanely creek steeps.

Just trying to get my mind off having to work today.

I had just seen someone's LL Alpha listed for sale and thought that it looked right, but what do I know.

Someone else had posted an early Millbrook C1, and implied that it was a Wide Ride, though it was regulation long and pointy like an UltraFatBatMax or whatever. $75 about an hour east of the Deerfiled. It's on Facebook marketplace in case you want to risk chatting up your racist uncle and getting offers for realistic silicone fingers. That doesn't have anything to do with conversions, just the idea of getting another boat for cheap is fun.

Talk to me, folks. Sell me on some stupid ideas.

[Kelly-Rand]

A friend converted a Prijon Boxer to C1 and it was his go to boat for years. I can't fit in it because of the cockpit shape vs my leg length but if you are under 5'8" you may find it a good all around river runner. The Boxer is about 10' in length which I think is the minimum for river running and being able to attain upstream features and quickly crossing the grain. I think any creek kayak that is that length and has a flatter hull shape and a width of at least 25" could fit the bill.

Now if only it would rain where the rivers are.

[poetry_heckler]

Thanks, Jim. That's the kind of take I was looking for. Some basic parameters, length, width, etc.

And about the rain part, I do agree that it's most enjoyable when the water goes in the river.

[McPherson]

I just picked up a liquidlogic Mullet for that.
9' long x 26.25" wide.
Some online review referred to it as a "Dad boat"... Sounds Perfect! right?
I think it was discontinued in favor of it's close relative the Braaap 69, which is not as wide and less volume up front.
Don't have mine outfitted yet, but check out a youtube video of c1 outfitting in the same hull. titled... "Outfitting a Liquid Logic Mullet C1"

[Paddle Power]

The liquidlogic Mullet at 9' long x 26.25" wide sounds great for a C1.