Favourite traditional OC-1 for big people (200lbs +) ?

[yarnellboat]

While we're into the polling about boats...

At over 200 lbs or so, the small boats don't seem to cut it, at least if it's over class II, more than just playing, and not pool-and-drop. So, for those of you tipping the scales at close to 200lbs or heavier,

what solo boat do you like for running & playing in continuous rivers, class II+ - class IV?

I picked Outrage because that's what I've got (I'd consider a Rival pretty much a similar boat, should've listed there). I'd like something with edges, but the Viper 12 seems long and the Viper 11 seems wet. I'd like to try an Ocoee, but can't find one around.

What else do you paddle/like... Blast? Nitro? Prodigy or Prodigy X? Zoom? Please let us know your weight and boats.

Pat.
5'10", 220lbs

[horizongfx]

At 235 I love My Viper 12 But I'm working on getting Smaller and so Is My Boat.
My Viper 12 Rarely feels to long, I ran the Ledges of the Tellico in it twice this year and Manage to hang with the 8 and 9 Footers Pretty well.

[philcanoe]

obviously....



a banana boat, three scoop, with walnut's, and cherries, and almonds, and hot fudge, and hot chocolate, and strawberries, and crushed pineapple ... large

[ezwater]

I've paddled a MR Synergy since '98, and I have liked the handling in most ways. It is possible to get a 15' boat to to technical things if you put your mind to it. However, the Synergy is not a very dry boat in heavy rapids, its supposed tandem status notwithstanding. I've paddled an Outrage X, and it is a nice boat, but it is NOT a smaller version of the Synergy. The Synergy is an asymmetrical, swedeform design with some "V".

I'm now paddling a Millbrook Big Boy, and as you might expect from a boat that is 17" deep, it is quite dry. It ferries better than the Synergy and turns into small eddies better. It is calm as can be in big wave trains. However, going over certain kinds of ledges, it sometimes feels like the stern is being grabbed.

I used to solo an Old Town Tripper, but that's another story.

[sbroam]

I love my Zephyr but the light weight is a large part of that. I hopped in an Ocoee year before last and spent 3-4 hours in it and had a blast - it's a better design. The owner has a good 50# on me and it worked for him, too. To me, the Prelude looks like a mini-Ocoee but at 220# or so (when I tried it) I was well over the top end.

If you can find a SF outfitted so you can fit in, give it a shot - and more than just a 10 minute ride. I know with some smaller boats, especially those with bulkheads it can be tough to fit in another's outfitting. I've yet to find a Taureau I can fit in... I've been in 3 and have yet to be able to get my butt on the seat because the knee space has been too tight... I got lucky with both a SF and a Prelude.

[eddyhops]

what solo boat do you like for running & playing in continuous rivers, class II+ - class IV?

Volume can be a swing factor, that's why I'm with Phil on the boat, but it would have to be a small... large make me tummy ache.

[Longboatin]

Older, longer, is catchin the Ocoee, and while I love the Ocoee, its 4 criks only as far as Im concerned. Too dammed slow for anything river sized.
Yup, I'll take the speed and carvability of a long boat any day.

[yarnellboat]

So, Longboatin' how much do you weigh and what boat(s) do you paddle?

Maybe more big guys than I thought are in Synergies, Captions and Vertige Xs etc.? Or are you in what I meant by older/longer: Genesis, H2Pro, Probe 12/13, Impulse...

I find those too much work if you're catching lots of eddies and surfing everything etc., too heavy and slow-to-turn (relatively speaking). Personally I'm more interested in something like an Ocoee, Viper or Zephyr that's got some snap for catching little eddies and surfing, but while having some speed & dryness to carry 220lbs.

Goin' for an ice cream before bed!

Pat.

[Longboatin]

Pat,
Im usually somewhere between 200-215, depending on how active I am. My last "real" solo boat was an Outrage X, but didnt really like it, its nothing like a reg Outrage. That said, my standard boat for the last 6 years is a 16ft Oldtown Kennebec. And believe me, if you drive the boat, and use the hull's mulitiple edges, there is no lack of turning ability. That s why I dont get the super short boat trend. Sure boats under 10 ft. can turn quick, if your definition of quick is spinning a zero radius turn, but that doesnt really seem all that useful to me. Speed, using edges and water features is where its at. I'm not gettin in anything under 12ft ceptin the Ocoee of course

[sbroam]

You can learn to make a long boat turn, you can learn to make a short boat move around the river - even big water. I've got both but for what I want to do most of the time it's a short boat.

Taking a kid? Long boat. Photo platform? Long boat. Lots of flat water? Long boat. Extra gear? Long boat. Change of pace? Long boat. The rest of the time? Short boat.

[TonyB]

I'm about 235 and, I think you need to add the Nitro onto this list. Although I too am trying out and borrowing smaller plastic boats, for the them creaky stuff, I keep goin back to my Nitro. And its withus bigger guys is where I think it really shines.
Ok, it does take a little more than the Ocoee to throw around but keeps more of its dryness weghted down. besides when activating its multi chines the think will spin on a wave beautifully. Also doesnt knock its stern as much as the Viper boofing and with more volume in the front it doesnt submerge as much while landing. And when paddling it properly (thanks PAC) it rides up and over waves and holes I might otherwise get thrashed in. People wanting to step up will love its ease in transfering from primary to secoundary stability.
The chines do wear line the detonator, but it blows it out of the water in the speed department. Awesome big water play and run boat for us big guys.

[milkman]

At least three of our bigger club members who used to paddle Outrage Xs have switched to Prodigy Xs and never looked back. All love the Prodigy X. I've never paddled it, so no direct experience (plus I'm 35 pounds shy of 200).

As for the advantages of long boats versus short, I like as short as I can get. Less boat to monkey with, more dynamic feel. I get in a long boat, like an Outrage, and feel like I'm paddling a log. An Ocoee, at a foot shorter, spins easily and feels much more nimble.

[Craig Smerda]

The L'edge 10/4

Jim Coffey is paddlin' the "L'edge STD" in Meh-hi-co at the moment and he's a bigger dude and over 200... CBC (Brandon) paddled it here in town as well and said it was comfy.

Based on Cboats.net poling and other criteria I set a target weight of around a 170 lb paddler for the "STD"

The bigger the paddler... the deeper the edges/chines go...

[yarnellboat]

Sounds good - L'Edge 10-4, bring it on. I'd be happy to demo, I'm pretty sure I can keep my weight up above 200.

Do we hear a Maxim X?

Yeah TonyB, I should've included the Nitro (and Prodigy X) on the poll list, but it's a limited number and you can't edit it. Oops.

Pat.

[Craig Smerda]

Sounds good - L'Edge 10-4, bring it on. I'd be happy to demo, I'm pretty sure I can keep my weight up above 200.

Pat.

We gotta cross the first bridge before we worry about the next one though. In other words... Esquif needs to sell a lot of new boats to make more "new" boats... same as any other company.