Cool!
Sounds like a good day -- you stayed safe, learned stuff, and had fun!
If you're adding to the fleet...;-)
http://nocpaddlingschool.blogspot.com/2008/04/2008-river-runnercreeker-boat-reviews.html
http://nocpaddlingschool.blogspot.com/2007/05/whats-best-beginner-boat.html
Thanks for the followup
Sounds like you had a blast and that’s what counts in the end.
The Tsunami’s are nice boats, but if you really enjoy the moving water, there is a shorter boat out there for you. I “upgraded” from a 14 footer to a 10 footer last year after running a couple of creeks. I went with a forgiving SOT model (no rolling) and it’s a blast. One good sweep and I can get a 360!
I have seen the envy in the eyes of the guys in the 16 footers… I have heard them say “That’s cool!” and I have smiled – because I know. 
jim
P.S. they are cheap
look around and you can find a WW boat in the $300 range (used). After the WW season ends in late Spring, you can probably find a great deal.
Rec boats and Broad
Quite a lot rec boaters renting boats on the Broad flip, but it isn’t because of the boat, but because of their lack of skill.
The tsunami would be fine on the broad, but I had a friend that had one (the 14 foot version like yours). She eventually bought a shorter boat (pamilco 100) that was more manueverable for the more whitewater rivers. It wasn’t that she couldn’t handle the rapids, but it really just wore her out.
You might want to consider getting some sort of training. The GA Canoeing Assn is offering training for rec kayakers this spring and summer. You can go to www.gapaddle.com to check it out. I’ve seen many inexperienced rec boaters get themselves in trouble on easy class I rapids.
The tsunami 14 is a really great boat and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Good luck,
Jamie
thats helpful!
In a I have way too many bicycles, helpful sort of way…
Really though, I appreciate those links and now have more of an idea what kind of boat might make good sense for me in more technical water. Informative reading. And since they are previous year boats, finding one used might even happen.
And there is a swap meet in a couple of weeks : )
swap meet thoughts
Like the Tsunamis, most whitewater boats now come in a range of sizes for each model to match the paddler’s weight. The right boat in the wrong size will be harder to paddle. If you match the boat to your weight, you can adjust the fit with foam. It wouldn’t hurt to check some WW boat mfg. websites to get more familiar with the models(Jackson, Dagger, Liquid Logic, Pyranha, Wave Sport, etc), or to check the used boat listings on boatertalk.com
When looking at used WW boats, it’s often easier to find last year’s hot playboat than a good used beginner boat. Playboats are for people who think that staying upright is boring. You probably don’t want a full-on playboat…yet.
If you’ve never paddled a whitewater boat, you’ll probably think that it’s ridiculously small, slow, and impossible to paddle in a straight line. You’ll probabably find yourself spinning around backwards after a few strokes. Just laugh and enjoy it – you’ll figure it out with a little practice.
You may also add to your paddle collection. Most folks use a shorter paddle for whitewater than they do for touring. A paddle that’s too long makes it even harder to go straight.
The Ford Taurus of boats…
According to the reviews at NOC, that is a Dagger Mamba.
And I’ve seen those around for about 350.00.
Funny, I gave my kid my mom’s 97 Taurus because it was real safe.
Still, my only experience in a white water boat was a friend’s play boat in '92. TOTALLY put me off twitchy little boats. For some reason I just could not keep it upright. I’d like to not have that experience again.
I figured I was going to need a totally different paddle than my Camano. Much shorter shaft, rounder blades.
twitchy little boats
Yup – playboats have edges that are designed to be grabby, and ends that are easy to submerge. Lean the wrong way and you’re over. Fun if you know how to use it and want to, frustrating if you don’t.
It’d be like giving a beginning adult cyclist a road bike with really steep angles, or a BMX bike.
Mamba looks fun
I started a thread a while ago asking about river runners, ended up getting a used Dagger Approach at a great price, that’s one to look at if you want something not so “twitchy”
I’m still in favor of the Tsunami 145
Switching to a whitewater boat to run Class I-II isn’t something I’d recommend. Every whitewater boat I know is a whole lot shakier than the Ts145, and they don’t go straight worth a damn until you get a good bit of experience, and they are slooooow. Learn how to edge the 145 and use the current to help you make snappy turns. Once you can nail a two boat eddy you’ll be really happy with the Ts145. It takes a few trips to get the hang of a boat, and a few more trips to get the hang of reading water and working with the current and the obstacles. Weaving back and forth threading a long Class II rock garden in a touring kayak is one of my all time favorite places to be.
skills vs. maneuverability
At this point I’m pretty sure much of my struggle ferrying from eddy to eddy was just my poor timing and inadequate skills!
I am sure it can be done in my boat. Maybe just not the first time.
I was thinking of the more maneuverable river runner boat for the kind of trips that our club does when basically the whole run is from technical spot to technical spot, where people stop and play some.
I’m not talking “play” like one of those white water DVDs we see - less radical stuff.
I’d looked at those trip descriptions and thought I’d have no interest - but after the metro hootch, I can see where a lot of continuous river roller coaster (class II and up) might be fun. Fun in a boat that turns easily!
Now thats not to say I’m not looking forward to my Tybee trip in March or my lake trip in May, water that my Tsunami excels in.
I figure I’ve got a great road bike and a great suspension mtb and I enjoy both very much - so having boats that are good at the kind of water I enjoy makes sense.
good points
for playing, even in moderate Class II, there are better hulls available. However, I’ve seen lots of beginnners who go too far with their first whitewater boat; short, slow on flats, tippy, not designed to go straight and will turn the moment you stop paddling. So, I’d recommend a crossover boat such as the Dagger Approach which is plenty capable of Class II-III, turns really well and has a skeg for flatwater. It would be a good companion to your Tsunami. Depending on your size the Approach 10 is more stable than the Approach 9 which feels a bit tippy to beginners but it’s something you can get used to by practicing on flatwater first. To feel more comfortable in any of these boats learn to paddle while edged. Practice edging both sides for several hundred yards each trip and pretty soon you can edge the boat for a quick turn.
its on the “watch for” list
There are a couple of used Approachs around locally. Neither are in that wow-look-less-than-300-bucks! which would have me more urgently interested. I’m idly interested right now.
After reading different reviews of various river runners I’ve seen advertised used, I can see where me (a beginner) might really struggle with getting comfortable in a white water boat that was beyond my abilities. Shades of my first and only experience in a white water boat.
Your advice on edging is appreciated. I can see where edging would be a good exercise in learning how to handle that boat.
class I/II
I’d look for an older school river runner like a necky rip or jibe, dagger infrared or redline. These have some length so you can paddle flatwater, but will be responsive to ferry and catch eddies with.
You should be able to find one of these or something similar for a couple of hundred dollars.
Whatever you get, take some time to get the outfitting where the boat fits you comfortably and is responsive.