First off, The Spark is one sexy looking boat. I have to say it was pretty amazing to see in action. I was at the gull river race in Minden, ON this weekend, and Mark Scriver and Joe Langman were paddling the Spark. Nice 1-2 Sales action for Esquif! Good job, Kaz!
Secondly, can anyone shed any light on the Taureau? Has anyone seen it? paddled it? Do Tell!
(Glenn, i think my next C-boat debate just got a little more complicated... good news is I have a week's headstart on Martin before he returns home to buy it!... I might just one-up him this time
oh shoot, i was hoping to name MY first boat design "the Taureau." now ill have to settle for "The James Bond." Although I'm also designing a follow up boat to the RPM. It's called "the IRS." It only comes in one color: gray. And my kids tell me I'm not cool anymore.
btw, i would definitely pay money to see the esquif design team (including kaz) run the taureau river in open boats . . .
Alden
wow, i just checked out the pdf file that Adam posted. All joking aside, the Taureau looks very interesting. Of course when I see a boat like that I am tempted to say, "Why not just put a spray skirt on it for goodness sakes?" but the more you think about it, the more you realize that a skirt goes for $100 . . .
seriously though, esquif is stepping out and i like it.
Alden
OC Taureau runs look impressive. Somewhere I have a videotape from Jim Michaud of some of the late 80s/ early 90s runs down the Taureau (back when no one knew the lines and it was an overnight trip). He was in his Whitesell Pyranha and another canoer was in an ME. Jim finessing his big boat is IMPRESSIVE (and it convinced me that I cannot handle The Bull).
Gotta agree- both boats (Spark and Taureau) look GREAT! Something to dream about.
Isn't that one of the coolest videos? It not only has awesome footage (including oc-1 and c-1) but it's got a kickin soundtrack! that michaud can make a video. i used that video as a guidebook before going up there. sometimes I wonder if there is a market for video guidebooks. We can make one some day for the rivers of CT. Could probably film it in an afternoon!
Alden
You just need to meet Jim Michaud. He is a whiz with that stuff and probably has enough to fill a few DVDs.
Also- you and he travel in the same circles- same rivers, this listserv, and Jim never misses any parties (although not everyone invites Alden to the parties), so sooner or later you will meet up.
The BEST reason to meet Jim is he is a phenomenal river guide (One Upper Yough trip Jim took 7 newbies down, including me. You would come around a corner to find him standing up on a boulder pointing directions like a traffic cop).
So just keep an eye out for the guy casually cruising down the class V stuff in an OC and go say hi.
I saw the Spark at the Gatineau fest, it looks like a VERY fast boat, it definitely shold rock for running gates.
Did Esquif have a Taureau at the Gull slalom? How does it look? Can't really tell from the pictures shown on the Esquif website. But I do definitely want to try it out!
We'll see if you beat me to one
No, but Mark Scriver, Joe Langeman and Andrew Westwood were paddling the Spark - that boat's pretty cool as well - super fast and light. Don't know what the Taureau is like as it wasnt there. Looking forward to seeingit.
No, sorry - But I thought there was an Esquif dealer in the NE who haunts this site, also might want to just send esquif an email, they might try and send some folk down, if they know it's a big OC scene.
David Nickerson would be the contact person for Esquif. I believe he's at the Gauley right now. I am an Esquif dealer but I know nothing. Want to buy a Spark?
JKaz
I`ll be going to the Moose Fest with Paul , Mark and Joe. Mark may have the proto of the Taureau for the Moose so I`ll get to take it for a spin then. It should paddle alot like the Spanish Fly ( same foot print ). I should have mine later this fall ( Mark has my order ) so I`ll just have to wait !!! So for now its Zoom Zoom Zoom ....
I paddled with Andrew this weekend and he had paddled the prototype Taureau earlier in the week. He was very syc'ed with the boat. Claimed it to be as fast as and Ocoee at around 8' and would also flatspin with easy. I can wait to try it myself.
I'm excited to see Esquif continuing to produce new designs.
So for now its Zoom Zoom Zoom ....