Esquif Taureau action pic spotted

[Wendy]

Here is a link to Boater Talk. There are three pics of the new boat on ?Tellico?
http://www.boatertalk.com/gallery.php?imageid=2895

[Guest]

The wood gunwales are not very nice looking

[allan]

maybe it's just me... and maybe i'll think differently when i see the taureau in person... but the 'opening' of this boat looks to be a very similar size to the 'opening' in most kayaks.... sure, maybe some people don't like wearing skirts, or like the challenge of keeping a boat dry... but if the opening is going to be that small, why not just ditch those woood gunwhales, and mold in a cockpit rim, so that people at least have the option of sealing the boat... becuase it looks like it could make an awesome creek-boat, especially if dry!

does anybody know if esquif is considering making this boat with a rim as an option?

It does look like a very cool design though. i'm very interested to try one out.

cheers,
-allan

[Kevin]

not sure if this is the same boat, but i thought i would share the pics anyways

It's Paul Mason. with some fellow C-Boaters out at Champlain Bridge in Ottawa Ontario.

[img]http://sportpix.ca/champlain/050327/_mg_0152_std.jpg[/img]

[img]http://sportpix.ca/champlain/050327/_mg_0167_std.jpg[/img]

[img]http://sportpix.ca/champlain/050327/_mg_9936_std.jpg[/img]

[LOUIE]

THE WOOD GUNNELS WERE A QUICK 30 MINUTE" THIS THINGS JUST GOT HERE LETS GET IT ON THE WATER JOB" THIS IS ONLY A PROTOTYPE.

[LOUIE]

even if it came with a rim I don't think you want to risk swimming with a skirt that bit on.

[Wendy]

So far I've had it on Tellico 5 or 6 time Little a couple of time, Conasauga Creek, Watagua and Island Creek, so I really haven't had a chance to try it on something really steep. It is really dry, you watch the water shed off at the first step up of the boat and see the rest get knocked away from the boat by the second. I ran the entire Upper Tellico to baby falls without dumping. Being as short as it is it spins on a dime. It is kinda fast but the best thing about it speed is the fact that it doesn't die between strokes but it glides while you getting read for the next stroke of the paddle. I've rolled and kick out both, it is easy to do either. I've seen Andrew, Dooley, and myself roll it and four inch of water when Dooley rolled it was the most water of the three of us had in the boat. Boofs are very easy in it Our boat is a prototype and a different weight than the production model so a wear comparisons not valid but so far we've had no problem with welded joint seals or material, I do intend to take it on something steep ideally Treemont on a Saturday and Road prong on Sunday. These are the kinda runs I think it is going to be seen on most. As dry, quick, and light as these boat are going to be I think they will be seen on things  like Big Creek or Raven Fork where there are hike in and hard run.