Joe Berry's Wheelboy review

[billcanoes]

Hello Bill,
Thank you so very much for letting me paddle the wheelboy last week. I was the guy with the GT8.1 C1. Please forgive me but, I have lost the other gentlemans name who was with you. He was awesome.
I paddled the wheelboy on the Tuck,Nantahala Falls and the Pigeon. It was awesome.
I am around 73 inches tall and weight 195 before gear and safety equipment. I could take 2 strokes, lean forward and another stroke would have me end over end. I do not know the playboat moves to cartwheel.
Trip report on the Tuck would include lots of time on bow stalls and lots of flat water enders I guess you would say.
Took the boat to Nantahal Falls to see what would happen. Ran the classic left to right line with ease. The second time I tried doing a 360 spin off the top wave. Spun around and forgot to paddle out of the bottom part and I got trashed. Rolled up and still surfing the hole. What fun. Third time I was bow stalling just above the top wave and only did a 180. Hit the bottom and got trashed again. Great carnage for the folks on shore. Fourth time was the charm. Spun like a top and leaned forward and punched right out like a champ.
Pigeon river was lots of fun. Just bow stalling and endering at will. Got to a steep wave below Hawaii 5 O and got a good surf in. Was leading a trip so, I did not have lots of time to play. New folks on your tail make life a little more interesting.
Saw a big armed dude on the Middle Ocoee on the last Saturday of WOR in a wheelboy. Think it was yellow. He was spinning like a mad man. Never did get a convesation with him. Way, way to much traffic on the river that day. Tragic death on the upper earlier had the middle jammed all day. Wonder who this was and what he weighed.
Was wondering your thoughts on the boat for someone at my weight. I am at my lightest 195. Probably 15-20 pounds of gear or so. Rescue vest, caribeners,prussics,throw rope and first aid kit. Think I could get down the Ocoee, but Grumpys and Broken Nose would be interesting. Probably with more miles in the boat would be okay. I just was thinking I was to heavy. I am very inexperienced in playing but, half decent in my C1.
Your staps were awesome. The skirt was dry.
Was wondering if there is anything I can do for you. I would like to repay this debt. I live in Greensboro and would be glad to help you in whatever way I could. Keep me in mind if you need a favor one day. I really mean it.
Would like to see how the wheelboy would do at the Falls of the Neuse rapid in Raleigh. You will have to make it up there in the late summer,fall or whenever it is running. Great park and play stop if you are not already aware.
Lastly, when do you get more boats in, and how do you get one. Not sure if it is the boat for me yet. But it is one hot boat.
Just a thought, but if you are not on the CCC email list, you might find it interesting. Trips and concerns for paddlers are always discussed. Click on the CCC website for more details.
Thank you for your kindness. Please let me know the name of the other gentleman. I owe him a note of thanks. You can post this note anywhere you please. You guys are awesome.
Take Care.
Joe Berry

[Marko]

HI

Thanks mate, nice rewiev. ...and nice carbage ...

195 is a slight bit on the heavy side but acceptable for play especially in holes.

I think you mightlove also a bigboy which is just like wheelboy but way larger. You would not have to leave all your gear ashore while playing.


marko

[Boise Bob]

I am 6' 185 lbs and the WB is great, but it's clear Im at the very upper end of its limit. In big steep wave holes, I wonder if a Big Boy would do me better, since I have to work hard to keep the bow out of the water. For pure hole play, it's right on for cartwheels, etc. Running 3+ rivers can be interesting, but, hey it's a play boat.

If you can demo a Big Boy, I would give it a shot. I would love to try a BigBoy and see what the difference is at my weight.

[billcanoes]

Bob,

I'm a little heavier than you, and carry kayak/canoe paddle, pulley, medical kit in the stern, which actually helps my trim. Especially to avoid pearling. I sank up to my head in the hole after triple drop yesterday,
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/river ... 46/#rapid2

My injury yesterday was me being too close to the boat I was chasing. I would use the wheelboy on this river at lighter flows, but I do think the big boy will hel a great deal with river running for us larger paddlers.

I was hoping for a fall WI trip, but it doesn't look like that will happen- We always need some limeaid here in NC.

Bill