Dagger RPM is scary on flatwater.

Can be done

– Last Updated: May-16-07 2:53 PM EST –

I paddle with a kid that has used his in just about every condidtion. white water to flat and in between. the right paddle and butt time makes all the difrence. but to be fare the kid is a natural paddler. who was doing white water at 8 years old.

Actually, I think the problem
is that these boats are supposed to be sold in pairs, and you connect them via a sailing rig and cargo hammock, much like the Hobie Catamarans.



Derrrrrr

don’t forget the drain plug
in the middle at the bottom of the hull like your sea yak!



And make sure you talk to Renata before doing anything.





You are a prince Cooldoctor. we really appreciate you around here.



Paul

Please do not
drill holes in the RPM. It does not need them. It is a great boat to learn to roll as well as being a good river runner and surf boat.

Dude…
…you need help.

THANK YOU! PICTURES.

– Last Updated: May-18-07 5:33 AM EST –

Well, I appreciate the replies. Your thoughts and suggestions have really made an impression on me. I have decided that, maybe indeed it is not the Dagger brand that is so "off", and maybe this pony just takes a little more modification and seat time. For what it is worth, your input has made me (a) cancel my no reserve eBay auction for the Dagger RPM, and (b) delete my 2/10 rating Pnet review of this boat.

One thing to know about me: I am not a quitter. In this spirit, I have made some modifications that will help the Dagger appreciate me, and me appreciate it.

I have deep cut with a razor knife and created a dry hatch to store food and supplies:
http://tinyurl.com/2r4ecy
I tried the front deck, but then realized I need that space, so decided to cut into the rear deck and popped on a wicked dry Valley hatch cover.

I next outfitted the foredeck with crucial rescue and navigational equipment: bilge, etc.
http://tinyurl.com/3ag7l3
Trust me, getting that Ritchie compass secured to the blunt snout on this baby was like training a disobedient seal to balance a beachball on his nose. Can you say 1/8 inch self-tapping drill bit and a wingnut? Don't try that on a live seal, though. (Hardee har har. I kill myself sometimes)

Feeling less buyer's remorse already at this point, the boat was starting to come together nicely and I am readying for a paddle float rescue trial. It is looking, if I do say so myself, very sharp.
http://tinyurl.com/35h3ez

Finally, many of you mentioned the Werner Corryvrecken as too much paddle for this tiny seayak. So, with a little ingenuity and plenty of brain power (I have a headache now, if that tells you anything), I coupled a GP with the RPM for a Q T 3.14159 (that's cutie-pie) combo!
http://tinyurl.com/2u3u2p

I really appreciate your "talking me down". I'll admit it, I was pretty pissed after that inaugural paddle. You all saw my frustration here on this original post, but you should see the elbow indentation in my garage drywall! Your advice is kind, and it means a lot to me. You're all right, and I learned from you.

Bless you and happy paddling--I'm off to the lake to earn some seat time in my new buddy boat.

ADDENDUM! I put a couple of Hershey's and a Pabst Blue Ribbon 24 ouncer in my dry hatch, and I am not 50 feet from shore and the groceries come rolling up to my feet! This damned boat has no dry hatch wall! The hatch hole I cut goes right into an empty cavity behind my seat with nothing to stop everything from coming out in the cockpit. Damned cost-cutting Dagger brand!


You crack me up!
Your’re drinking PBR? No wonder you expect a whitewater boat to have bulkheads.

Not cool, but definitely doctored. NM

Everyone needs to lighten up.

– Last Updated: May-18-07 1:02 AM EST –

Laugh. Cooldoctor certainly is at all of the responses.

I’m trying, but…
I keep eating ice cream.

classic
funniest kayaking photo I’ve ever seen


Have You Consider…
a career change? Some of the boat manufacturers are looking for the next great boat designer. I think you’re doing as well as some of the current folks getting paid to do what you did for fun. :slight_smile:



sing

That’s Exactly What We Are Doin’!
CD is proving that “laughter is the best medicine!”



sing

Thanks
Great photos. Love to see you figure out a knee tube tho’

mm hmm
And foot pump and skeg box. You’ve pulled off what p140 could not…thanks for the laughs!



Anxiously awaiting more photos!

This thread is a riot- CD maybe there
is an opportunity for you in an alternative branch of medicine:



http://tinyurl.com/34dhz5

…I hope you live to post…
some more CD!





steve

Wow
So you took a whitewater kayak and tried to transform it into a 9’ touring boat.



I have the RPM Max and and I can self rescue…I just climb up the back til I’m sitting over the cockpit and then get my legs in. Your hatch in the rear might make that hard though.



There’s no bulkheads because the RPM isn’t made to have dryhatches, its a WW boat! It seems like you bought this thinking it was a 16’ touring kayak and then got mad at Dagger for being cheap with it. They do have touring kayaks you know, with bulkheads, storage hatches, and deck rigging for all of your toys.

new or sumthin?
R u new 2 paddling? I mean, it is a WW boat, a creeker @ that. It is SUPPOSED to turn and carve like that. You have to turn real fast runnin rivers. Did you buy it to paddle flatwater? You should have done more research if u did

the rpm is for whitewater???
not the ocean??? it is a great first boat for learning to navigate and play in a river.