Mark Scriver once told me that Dagger used a glass mold for the Quake.
Anyone know where that Drakkar Fatboy C1 Creeker plug is? That might be a good choice for a run of plastic boats out of a glass mold. I bet there might be enough takers to make it worthwhile.
martin a.k.a. the great gonzo!
why doesn't someone build a plastic river runner C1?
Moderators: kenneth, sbroam, TheKrikkitWars, Mike W., Sir Adam, KNeal, PAC, adamin
-
the great gonzo
- Paddling Benefactor
- Posts: 1718
- Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2003 2:03 am
- Location: Montréal, Québec
-
Bruce Farrenkopf
- CBoats Addict
- Posts: 339
- Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2003 3:35 am
- Location: Reno, NV
Well, here we go again 
! We have had this discussion a number of times in the past. It IS a healthy discussion though, so let's give it another try. As I see it, from reading and commenting on this site (very informative and worthwhile) and from lots of relevant experience, there are several reasons why we don't have more plastic C1's: 1) relatively small market (I get tired of hearing this one too), 2) lukewarm interest in the C1 community and 3) manufactures being unwilling to take a chance on introducing new designs or upgrading older designs.
Reason 3 is due to reasons 1 and 2 for the most part. Case in point would be the fates of the Robson Finkenmeister and Drakkar Wheelboy. The Finkenmeister is a decent first version (I have been paddling one for almost 4 years now), but it needs a version 2. There are several design characteristics of the Fink which could be modified to yield a significantly better performer (save this discussion for later perhaps). If this was the kayak world a version 2 would have been introduced and a good design would have evolved into a superior creeker. However, too few C1 boaters purchased the boat, Robson probably failed to make a profit and therefore no improvements. The Drakkar Fatboy development probably was abandoned due to relatively poor sales of the Wheelboy (I have one of these too and it is a very good playboat).
It seems that too many C1ers are content with converting Kayaks. This is not intended to be a criticism of the C1 community - just a comment.
I wish it were otherwise, but C1ers are not willing to commit to a plastic C1 design in sufficient numbers to make the boat profitable for the manufacturer. Reasons: 1) some (not many) kayaks make decent C1 conversions and C1ers are clever and experienced at making these modifications, 2) converting old kayaks is cheaper and 3) the few C1 plastic designs, although good boats, are flawed and there is no follow-up by the manufacturer to fine-tune the design ( a sort of catch 22 situation).
So this plastic C1 devotee is moving on from his Finkenmeister to a Pyranha H3 255 - an exceptional creeker once converted
.
I will remain hopeful.
SYOTR,
Bruce Farrenkopf
! We have had this discussion a number of times in the past. It IS a healthy discussion though, so let's give it another try. As I see it, from reading and commenting on this site (very informative and worthwhile) and from lots of relevant experience, there are several reasons why we don't have more plastic C1's: 1) relatively small market (I get tired of hearing this one too), 2) lukewarm interest in the C1 community and 3) manufactures being unwilling to take a chance on introducing new designs or upgrading older designs.Reason 3 is due to reasons 1 and 2 for the most part. Case in point would be the fates of the Robson Finkenmeister and Drakkar Wheelboy. The Finkenmeister is a decent first version (I have been paddling one for almost 4 years now), but it needs a version 2. There are several design characteristics of the Fink which could be modified to yield a significantly better performer (save this discussion for later perhaps). If this was the kayak world a version 2 would have been introduced and a good design would have evolved into a superior creeker. However, too few C1 boaters purchased the boat, Robson probably failed to make a profit and therefore no improvements. The Drakkar Fatboy development probably was abandoned due to relatively poor sales of the Wheelboy (I have one of these too and it is a very good playboat).
It seems that too many C1ers are content with converting Kayaks. This is not intended to be a criticism of the C1 community - just a comment.
I wish it were otherwise, but C1ers are not willing to commit to a plastic C1 design in sufficient numbers to make the boat profitable for the manufacturer. Reasons: 1) some (not many) kayaks make decent C1 conversions and C1ers are clever and experienced at making these modifications, 2) converting old kayaks is cheaper and 3) the few C1 plastic designs, although good boats, are flawed and there is no follow-up by the manufacturer to fine-tune the design ( a sort of catch 22 situation).
So this plastic C1 devotee is moving on from his Finkenmeister to a Pyranha H3 255 - an exceptional creeker once converted
.I will remain hopeful.
SYOTR,
Bruce Farrenkopf
-
wetnobby
I will turn this one on its head for you....
There are already plenty of great C1 hulls being made ......
The manufacturers dont see any money it.....which is a real shame and so they chose to sell them all as training boats...(Kayaks)
Whilst people keep going on about boats the reality of whats missing is....... the outfitting
and it seems like there is not enough in the sales volumes to justify producing even that....
Chris
There are already plenty of great C1 hulls being made ......
The manufacturers dont see any money it.....which is a real shame and so they chose to sell them all as training boats...(Kayaks)
Whilst people keep going on about boats the reality of whats missing is....... the outfitting
and it seems like there is not enough in the sales volumes to justify producing even that....Chris