What size end bags fro my dagger rival?

[Collard Green]

Hey guys...I am new to open boats...bought a dagger rival a while back...needs new outfitting...all set except for bags...what size fits the best? Thanks fellas--CG

[ezwater]

Kaz of millbrookboats.com builds glass/Kevlar rivals and stocks Gaia float bags which he will send you at a fair price.

What size bags you want depends on how heavy or steep the rapids you will be running. I'm old and cowardly, and have been getting by with 30" nylon/urethane end bags in my MR Synergy for over a dozen years. But I put 48" bags in my shorter Millbrook because it's somewhat more likely to break in a prolonged "swim."

If you decide you want to roll your Rival, that will also tend toward your choosing longer bags. But someone else who rolls well may want to tell you what length to choose.

Judge Ckelly says the Rival is an especially easy open boat to roll, if that affects your decision.

[kaz]

what EZ said.

[cheajack]

54"

[Collard Green]

Thanks so much fellas...I guided rafts for NOC for a season but other than that I am a newbie...especially to open canoes. I went down the Nantahala twice in an OC...once in a nitro and once in a Raven. Swam like 5 times in the nitro...made it all the way to the falls in the Raven...then swam them. Bottom line is I fell in love with it and bought a rival in almopst mint condition with no outfitting.

So now I have all new Mike Yee outfitting and I need bags. Looks like great advice but I want to make sure I understand the philosophy here...bigger bags means easier to roll??? bigger bags means more stint strength??

what difference am I gonna get with 48" vs. 54" bags?? Thanks again fellas!--CG

[Shep]

More bag = less water in the boat. If it get's pinned, more water = more force = more chance of breaking against the rock. In the case of rolling, more bag may or may not make it easier to roll, but it will probably decrease the amount of water in the boat when you come up, which is always nice. The downside of more bag is primarily that it limits your storage options, or, in boats that can be set up with a triple saddle (not so much the rival) it makes that a no-go

Hope this helps,
Shep

[Collard Green]

Thanks so much for the further explanation...think I will go with the biggerst bags I can fit to start with