OC-1 conversion

[ClassFive Boats]

At 6' 205 old football player type build, alot of my weight is above the cockpit rim. Ive tried a lot k1 conversions and never got comfortable in one. Soooooo,,, I took my OC-1 Superfly ( same sa a Spanish fly) ,custom fit a 1/8th inch kydex deck under neath the rim , built a cockpit the same size as a cascade cockpit and PRESTO! OC-1 conversion boat! Super rooomy, very high volume , boofing machine. I was instantly comfortable in it with none of the " feeling like Im following over" all the time as with the k1 conversion boats I've paddled. I fitted thigh straps instead of using the bulkhead. It is by far the best creek boat I've ever paddled. And Ive paddled a bunch of them. Here's the pros and cons.

Pros= Twice volume than any k1 conversion
Very warm last winter.. the cockpit is about belly
button high. much of my body core is under the deck
Flat spins very quickly
This boat is very loose in a hole. can use the low ends to help get out of a hole
Its almost impossible to get pinned in due to the huge area
under the deck.

Cons= rolling is harder than a k1 conv. about the same as a
cascade
A little slower than say a cascade
A real pain on a lake paddle out,, like short creek ala.
Be ready for some jokes from your friends.. No problem, If
someone jokes about my boat I just say " Good , does that mean I dont have to rescue you ?"

So far its been the boat Ive boat looking for , for a long time.

[squeakyknee]

Sounds pretty sweet.I've been lookin for something to use as a creeker.Do ya have any pics?

[ClassFive Boats]

Ill do some this weekend and post them. It wasnt that hard to do.

[Craig Smerda]

I've been preaching about how good these things (Fly-series and Taureau) are for creeking a few times over the years.... they rock! Just turn the dial to auto-boof or anti-pencil and fire it up.

Some of our kayak friends even like them because we can run right up to a drop... hop out... see the line... hop in... run the line and carry on. Nothing is more satisfying then when a group of kayakers want to follow and open boat on a hard run.

Yee-Haw... have a good one!

[msims]

You forgot another con. Louie will never look at you the same again.
________
Smoking Kills

[Nessmuk]

What exactly is "kydex" and where do you get it?

I've been thinking about putting some sort of deck over the floatbags in my Quake.

Don't think I'd go the whole route and put on a skirt, though.

[ClassFive Boats]

here's the pic. .http://www.opencanoe.com/oc1c.gif.....Kydex is a type of plastic. I got a 4'x8' sheet and cut a pattern . Then slipped it under the lip of the boat opening. Here's a link .....http://www.kydex.com/Articles/ESAB.asp.....

[dixie_boater]

Class Five Boats,

I enjoyed paddling the Tellico with you a few weeks back. I was in the red Caption with ABS plate repairs. That is a very good looking deck. That is a boat that might finally get me out of my ABS hulls. I heard you ask Allen H. if he wanted to try it out, but never saw him get in the boat.

The side trip to the waterfall was extremely nice Thanks for sharing that with us. I'll look for it the next time I'm on that section.

Michael

[squeakyknee]

Now the question.Can you get out with just a pop of the skirt?
That would be my only concern.Getting out fast in a pinch,especially when creekin.

[ClassFive Boats]

Getting out is a piece of cake. Much easier than my old Cascade. . Its was m pleasure paddling with you at the Tellico. I look forward to doing it again.