what boat is good for small rivers with class 1 and 2
rapids, wanting good turning ability and tracks well also. paddler under 150 pds and short. will be looking when i sell my canoe.
Dagger Piedra
Actually there are a lot of boats for smaller folk for class 1 & 2 river running.
The Dagger Piedra is a great old school boat which was among the early ones for smaller paddlers.
Jackson Kayak "2FUN"
It will take you everywhere
Kayak advice
Theres literally dozens out there. If your new to the sport I would find anything plastic and cheap that I could fit in comfortably and go paddle.
One common mistake is to buy all new gear and sell it all later at a big loss. Your idea of a great boat will change many times.{at least mine has}. Thats the reason most people end up with a stable of boats if they stay in the sport. Two canoes and 5 or 6 yaks for me.
Correct…
…you’re kind of lucky. This is a time when many clubs
start pool sessions as well as club members selling used
gear so they can collect money for new gear.
Buy used. Whatever you buy it is almost certain that
you will quickly decide that your needs or vision has
changed.
The club’s pool sessions also give you a chance to try
different boats and you might pick up how to roll
along the way.
Where do you live? Someone here might be able to
direct you to a local club.
Argument for a “creeker” or hybrid
– Last Updated: Nov-19-08 8:29 AM EST –
The WW folks will be able to point you at a creeker, a higher volume WW boat intended for higher class rapids, among any used boats being sold.
I would argue for either that or a hybrid like the Dagger Approach for this class of water because you want hull speed in class 1. I can attest to the damages you can do to yourself trying to push a flat-bottom, intended for manuvering boat for a distance along class 1 water. Not only is it not fun, you'll form a new and maybe unwelcome bond with your chiropractor or physical therapist.
You will lose some tightness in turning, that kind of manuvering by going to these boats rather than something closer to a river/play boat like the Jackson Fun series. But if you like your shoulders and wrists and plan to do a good bit of the really low class stuff, I'd go towards the less precise boats that have hull speed.
The Piedra or a similar kin from that era, if you can find one, has plenty of hull speed too. The only issue is that it may be worth the very cheap price you'd pay for it if it has seen a lot of UV exposure - they are old boats. The Piedra is a hoot though - if I ever want to inflate my ego I just bring that out and pretend my ability to hand roll it translates to the Inazone.
“good turning and tracks well”?
Can you give an example of a boat you’ve paddled as a reference point? Those terms are extremely subjective.
if not mutually exclusive
KAYAK
thanks for the help. I’ve got a zydeco and enjoy it. I’d think I’d like to get something I can learn to roll in.
reply to angstrom
I’ve been using a zydeco for a year and enjoy it think I would like one I could learn to roll. Tracking is more important to me. Been paddling canoes for a long time.
Maybe Master TG
Maybe take a look at the Pyranha Master TG. I’ve never paddled it. It is designed as kind of a crossover boat for rivers and lakes. Short, light, turny, but can be equipped with a skeg for tracking in flatwater. Should be good for rolling as well. They’ve been around for a couple of years, so you might just find one in the used marketplace.
~wetzool
That was going to be my suggestion
You can also get away with some recreational kayaks, like the Old Town Rush or a Dagger Approach 9. If you want an SOT, I’d suggest a Perception Torrent.
- Big D
Advice from a pro
– Last Updated: Nov-20-08 6:57 PM EST –
... well at least one who paddles the hell out of a rec kayak.
Get you a 12 foot rec kayak and have a ball. I really do paddle a lot and have over 10,000 river miles in a rec kayak in the last 4 years so I know what I'm talking about. I paddle a 12' CD Kestrel (which is a rec kayak) but am changing to a WS 125 Tsunami. I paddle up to and including Class IV in my Kestrel although I'm not recommending you follow this example. It is not what the kayak will or can do as much as what you can do with the kayak. Sit in several and paddle as many as you can before you decide. The bggest thing is to find one you are comfortable in and then go out and take it to what ever limit you can stand. There is no perfect kayak but you can get pretty close.
Paddlin' on
G_K