Esquif Taureau question

[s2welee]

First let me say that I am glad that Neal recommended this site to me. I am just sorry it took so long to sign up.

I currently paddle a Nova Craft SuperNova and really enjoy the boat on the river but hate it when the day is over. It is a pig to carry around. To make a long story short, I want a smaller boat for the quick play days when there are three yakers and no one can figure out a shuttle with a canoe.

I have been looking with interest at the Esquif Taureau. My question is, how big of a jump would this be in terms of skill level. I am pretty confident in my supernova on class 3 rivers. I am still pretty new to this (this is my second season) so I still have a lot to learn. Any advice would be great as I am open to other options.

-Whit

[Eric Nyre]

It's a big jump. The SuperNova is incredibly stable compared to most whitewater playboats, and the Taureau is very lively compared to most whitewater playboats.

I'd seriously suggest test paddling one first.

[Louie]

Look you can lean to drive in a VW or a Corvett, but you are goin to want to end up with the Vett. One trip in a Teaureau would be hard, second trip a lot easier, third trip you"d start to like it, and Fourth trip and you be lookin to buy one. Driest, best boofin open boat made and kinda fast for a short boat.

[bald1]

I agree with Louie...

My first time down in one was a demo and the boat kicked my butt(4swims). Now I feel like it is a great boat and predictable to boot. Plus it is much easier to deal with than a 10' open boat.

Now my boat does have about an inch cut down on the saddle, and that may have helped. Also plan on installing hatches if you want to carry anything at all.

I love this boat it is a blast.

[pmp]

louie ain't never wrong....
yeah I like it too.
Paul

[Louie]

I ain't always right but like you said I ain't never wrong

[the great gonzo]

What kind of paddling do you do or do you plan on doing? If you are planning on running lots of creeks which require maneuvering in tight spots, los of boofs and such then the Taureau is certainly a good boat, If however you like fast ferrying, zipping in and out of eddies in more open rivers then there are better suited boats out there. No one boat is great at everything, but if you want a boat that does kinda everything reasonably well, look at something like an Ocoee.

just my 2 cents

martin a.k.a. the great gonzo!

[AJ]

So you know were I am coming from, I am 185 lbs. and 5'9" tall. I have paddled an Outrage, Ocoee, and Skeeter, until I got a Taureau this season. I am a class III/IV- paddler. Over all, I prefer lower technical runs versus big water.

For starters, the best thing about the Taureau is that you can make it into a C1 and sit on a reasonably high saddle. No more looking for an eddy to bail in big rapids or running a big rapid full of water. I realize there is an art to keeping an empty boat and being able to run the stuff, but I am personally over it for the most part.

It is plastic versus Royalex. More and more of my paddling buddies are moving away from traditional Royalex open boats in Colorado. Their old boats are wearing out and the new Royalex boats do not seem to not hold up as well as the old ones.

It took me a while to outfit it correctly and gain my confidence. However, I feel like I am there after one season.

It is a playful, lively, short, and nimble boat. It seems to punch holes, but maybe not the best surfer. Much easier to carry to and from the river and on the shuttle rig. It is a hoot to paddle! With that said, some might say it is slower, harder to ferry, harder to roll, and does not paddle like a traditional canoe. However, I have had paddlers tell me it paddles much more like a canoe then a kayak converted into a C1?

For creeking, low water/rock bashing runs, it is a sweet boat. For deeper, larger water, I like my Ocoee too. However, after getting my Taureau at the start of the season, I have only paddled my Ocoee three times. I like the Taureau better overall for the mentioned reasons. I might have a sweet, wood gunwaled, light wieght outfitted Ocoee for sale, if this keeps up.

[s2welee]

Thanks for all the responses.

I am pretty much open to all types of paddling, but I have never really been into play boating much. I like to surf and run rivers. My main reason for the interest in the Esquif is the size and weight of the boat. That is really my only complaint of my Super Nova (that and it takes on water like a sub with a screen door). It is not exacly light (read: weighs a ton) and it is tough to cartop on the shuttle with a bunch of kayakers. I tried a kayak and hated it. I like the caone experience but I want more pick up and go convenice. As my skill progress I would like to try harder rivers, but for now I am confined to the James and Appomattox as I gain my skills.

I am not dead set on anything right now and I a few months away from buying anything, but the suggestions are great.

Forgot to mention, I am 6' and scare the hades out of 200lbs most of the time, 200+ in the winter

[OneoftheDavesyouknow]

I agree with most of the above posts. I am fairly new to OC-1 whitewater and the Taureau was actually my first non-tandem boat (all my prior river experience was tandem tripping in class I-III).

Initially I thought perhaps I should have bought something more suited to a novice, but figured I could grow into the boat. It has taken a few months to get confidence paddling such a short boat but, despite swimming a lot, I can't remember have so much fun in a canoe! If you like running rivers, the Taureau is great. Other boats might be faster, but I find the shorter boat allows me to be much more creative when picking my way down a river. Not only does it catch micro eddies bigger boats won't fit into, but also it is a LOT of fun to surf (especially back surfing).

I found the factory outfitting took some time to get setup right. It might just be my big feet, but i find getting my feet on the pegs much more difficult than other esquif solo boats I have tried (I'm 6'0, 185lbs)

Best of luck!