HELP MY FIRST RIVER/ CREEK BOAT

Col · Post by **Col** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:40 pm

I have a CU Fly which is wicked, but i need a river boat.

I am 75kg so by no means a heavy weight and i am not looking for a huge 17" barge. I am looking for a river creek type boat for use over here in the UK, Unless it pisses down for months we dont usually get the volume of water you get in the states. As a result some rivers are sometimes a bit of a bump and scrape down so my boat must be durable, i.e i cant really get a composite boat.

I need something nimble, fairly quick to puch holes and a boat that is fairly easy and forgiving to paddle for a newbe to more tradional type OC designs as i have come from a Spanish FLy and now play in my CU Fly. I know i am asking a lot but i have money ready to buy a new boat and need to make the right decision

Stability is not a major issue as i have come from a Sprint/ Olympic style C1 racing background and have good balance. I am sure i can get hold of most designs available in the states so fire away with reccomendations

Please can anyone post some designs that they may see as suitable to what i am after.

Cheers

Col

NateOC · Post by **NateOC** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:48 pm

Check out the Esquif Spark, it might not be what you're lookig for durabily wise, as it is made of "royalite" which sounds like a trimmed down version of royalex, but it's really fast. Also, check out the Mad River Outrage, it's not as fast, but less twitchy and more stable. Maybe also some of the other Esquif boats, the Zephyr sounds promising--also check out the Nitro.

Nate

yarnellboat · Post by **yarnellboat** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:58 pm

If you're light and want a durable OC for low-water creeking and running - sounds like a Pyranha Prelude.

Not an entry-level boat, but if you've been paddling rodeo boats and racing hulls etc., at least you're going from the fire into the frying pan.

Otherwise there's a wide selction of Royalex OCs, like the Outrage, Nitro, Prodigy, Ocoee, etc., that would come down to availability and personal preference.

P.

Martyn · Post by **Martyn** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 10:12 pm

I have to agree - the Prelude is a good production boat for low volume creeking. I would stay away from any of the Royalex boats, they just won't be as durable. If you can get your hands on a Quake, I think you would be very happy. It is a lot more stable than the Prelude. I haven't paddled the Taureau but think it would be worth considering.

Martyn

Jan_dettmer · Post by **Jan_dettmer** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 5:03 am

since you are in Europe....
Pyranha Prelude or Robson Homes.

Cheers, Jan

Randy Dodson · Post by **Randy Dodson** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 2:33 pm

As someone mentioned, I would consider a Taureau or a Quake. I haven't paddled a Taureau yet but it seems similar in design principal to the Quake which I used to own. Full volume ends, very stable and paddles well with water in it not to mention rolls easily.

timfromohio · Post by **timfromohio** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 7:50 pm

i love the spanish fly for river running/river play. its plastic which will be durable for boney runs. surfs good and is very stable, due to the flat bottom. might not have alot of volume in the end for serious creeking, but for the less hairy stuff its fun.

timfromohio · Post by **timfromohio** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 7:56 pm

sorry i didnt realize you were coming from the spanish fly. i still love it, the robson homes looks racey.