Prijon Herkules C1

liskahon · Post by **liskahon** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:20 am

Cheers guys
I am thinking about buying a Herkules for creeking. I am 6´4" 210 lbs

1. I am used to very low saddle cca 4"
2. I am used to playboats with flat hull

What I like about the boat
1. Long-->speed
2.Sort of a flat hull design with rails...
3. High volume-should resurface well
4. Good stern rocker profile- good boofs ??

What I dont like
1. length- less maneuverability?

Your ideas creek experts?

AJ · Post by AJ » Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:54 pm

I am no expert, but have a buddy who works for Wildwasser the Prijon distributer in the states. He has converted two hercs in the past couple of months. He has a very cool bulkhead outfitting design with hip pads for the boat.

I think he likes the boat overall, just as you discribed it, but like you also said, it is not a very playfull boat.

cbcboat · Post by **cbcboat** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 3:20 pm

It seems as though a lot of folks on this forum really like the H3. I just got one and am about done outfitting it. I will give my thoughts once I paddle it, but it sure seems to be a great design. I've been using a Rockit for a while and it is a little too round for my liking, but the Prijon plastic is real tough, and fairly light. I've been with some people that were paddling the Herc. as kayaks and they thought they were awesome. Not so great for small creeks that require really quick manouvers.
B

liskahon · Post by **liskahon** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:14 pm

Just finished converting the Hercules... things went really quickly... will post review when I ve tested it

YTcanoe · Post by **YTcanoe** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:35 pm

Very anxious to hear your review. I love Prijons and am considering a new creeker.

I have no opportunity to actually see a Herc without ordering one. How is it for width at the knees?
I had a Kaituna convert that started to taper considerably before my knees forcing me into a very narrow stance. Lots of fun, but very unstable.

liskahon · Post by **liskahon** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:44 pm

Okay so I paddled the Herkules on the slalom course for the first time today... I cannot really tell if its really good because I havent ever paddled another full-on creekboat in my life but it just felt FANTASTIC!! Everything was perfect...
+
1. Awesome acceleration, good top speed.
2. Although it is long it turns on a dime and reacts quickly
3. Surfs nicely/ flatspins possible
4. Perfect stability. I had to make effort to flip it.
5. Perfect secondary stability (even if tilted almost 90 dg)
6. rolls effortlessly (hand roll no problem)
7. Catches eddies just like a playboat.
8. Generally it behaves like a stable, long, bulky playboat but the chines are not aggressive.

-
1. Sort of weird while ferrying. But I think that is my fault...
2. Maybe a bit long- could be an issue on some rivers

conclusion
I am looking forward to paddling this boat in Norway. After I get back I will review it in more detail on my blog.

If there is anybody out there who feels like getting a creekboat I think I can recommend Hercules.... It felt really good.

Peace
Jan

liskahon · Post by **liskahon** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:50 pm

Yes and the knee width... I will measure the width the boat allows soon but I think it is really ok. But I am used to narrower stance (even sort of reverse knee stance i.e. my ankles are slightly further apart than my knees) and really low saddle )9cm / 4"

cheajack · Post by **cheajack** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 12:59 am

Hands roll no problem? I'll take three - one in every color.

Paddle Power · Post by **Paddle Power** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:43 pm

I think you maybe onto something good as I think many kayak creek boats are too short for C1 creekin.

liskahon · Post by **liskahon** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:28 am

cheajack wrote:Hands roll no problem? I'll take three - one in every color.

hehehe roll yer own...