The Option is 8'8" long, the Ion is 6'10" long. Both are 29" wide and will be about 15.75" deep.
The Option is symmetrical in top view, but the rocker is asymmetrical, and the chines are also asymmetrical.
The Ion is essentially intended to be a river running version of the Blackfly. I paddled it on whitewater for the first time today, and I have to say it's ridiculously fun. Good, corky fun.
This could be a saving grace for getting another boat. Will have to add some foam in strategic places inside, make the saddle easy to remove and we can sell it to the wife as a designer tub for the winter.
I love the idea of a quick planning hull creeker (and lets be honest the Ledge is huge and really heavy) and not being huge myself nothing really fits the bill, well maybe the Tureaue but that thing does not look like a canoe.
The Option looks like it is between a quake and a Ledge which is just what I need.
I'm hoping to have they done in time for ALF. It's going to take a big push on my part, but I think it can happen.
The asymmetrical hull... Well, if you're like me, you don't go backwards as much as you go forwards, so it makes sense to optimize it for going one direction. The chines and rocker are intended to keep the bow from getting pushed around and keep the stern engaged and behind you where it belongs. There's more volume in the bow where you need it to stay dry, and the stern rocker makes it easier to pull the bow up over waves.
I wouldn't exactly call it a planing hull either. While the center section is fairly flat, the outer chines are lifted up enough that it's not going to perform like a 'true' planing hull (probably won't flat spin on a green wave).
Lappie wrote:LOL, one could put some faucet on it and and claw feet and then you'd have a tub...
I sense the possibility for some cool decal options!
I am also excited about having this creeker be a little smaller/lighter than the L'edge. Weight is the only downside I have heard of the L'edge. That and the price of a new boat...
-Anthony
"I'm gonna run this one river left I think.... So far river left, that I'm gonna be on the bank. With my boat on my shoulder."
Lennart wrote:I hope thing work out, any ideas of shipping costs to europe?
pick up at plattling would be great:)))
Expensive. It's the fees and surcharges and add-on costs that get you, and those are hard to predict. It's doable though.
I'll already be flying two boats over to Plattling, so bringing more isn't really realistic. Though if anyone wants to buy a composite Blackfly, I'm hoping to leave it over there.
