Hi guys! Im new to the place & kayaking as well. Ive done my research, and Im looking at something in the whtiewater family something of a river runner or a creeker? Ive looked at different daggers & pyrahna although Im not completely sure what type of kayak I should be looking at noting Im 6’5, about 200lbs and sz 13 shoes. I read several different places expressing that this is important, are there some older dagger modles I could pick up off craigslist that have bigger volumes? Any advice would be awesome.
welcome!
– Last Updated: Jul-03-12 9:37 AM EST –
In a whitewater kayak, the different sizes(volumes)of the same design usually mean trading stability and buoyancy for maneuverability and control. Playboaters like smaller boats that they can throw around and bury the ends. Creekers like bigger boats that'll stay on top of the rough stuff. With a river-running design, if you fit in more than one size, the smaller size will be more playful and the larger will be more forgiving.
You can often pad out large cockpits for a better fit.
In the Dagger line, the Mamba makes a great beginner boat. The 8.5(discontinued, look for used) would probably work well for you.
A couple of old reviews that might help you look for a used boat:
http://nocpaddlingschool.blogspot.com/2007/05/whats-best-beginner-boat.html
http://nocpaddlingschool.blogspot.com/2008/04/2008-river-runnercreeker-boat-reviews.html
Some models may have been updated but kept the same name.
You should really consider…
taking a course from a certified instructor. This will give you a great idea of what to look for and then you should demo several boats. Everyone is different and every boat is different even if it is slight. Some to look at are:
Fluid Detox
Fluid Solo
Fluid Bazooka
Dagger Mamba
Liquid Logic Remix
Wave Sport Diesel
Jackson Hero
Big Dog Force
Pyranah Burn
these are good to start. You really should take a course for sure. This really takes a lot of guess work out of the sport. It really is a small price to pay.
Gavin
www.fluidkayaks.com
www.wrsisafety.com
www.levelsix.com
www.h2opaddles.com
rainsinc@gmail.com
Prijon brand
Some of my very tall and large footed friends
fit nicely in a Prijon brand kayak
ask the question
on boatertalk.com
a dedicated ww board, including old school river running, creeking and playboating.
more ppl there w. ww and creeking experience
more ppl able to discuss differences in boats.
not that this forum isn’t OK
there’s just more available on boatertalk.com
including more reviews and discussions about ww specific boats.
also
they have an awesome board for selling ww boats and related gear. Lots and lots of ww boats of all kinds. You can start looking up boats online, and get a feel for what interests you, asking prices etc.
Kayak
Thanks everybody! cool advice