First post!
I am tentatively looking for a WW solo boat. After deciding a Dagger Impulse or a Mohawk Probe 11 weren’t particularly suitable for my 6’-4" and 260lbs heft I ran into two people who are selling a kevlar/fiberglass Clipper Viper 12 and a Dagger Encore. Between my rather limited budget and local-ish availability, these seem to be my options.
This boat will be doing double duty. I am looking for a fun WW boat to use with a local paddling group. Nothing but me and flotation bags on these weekly outings. However, a friend from Europe is coming over in the next few years and we’re going on a pretty big river trip. I’m hoping the boat will be suitable for him (at a good foot shorter and possibly half my weight) with some of his gear.
On that trip I’ll be paddling my Pocket Canyon (which is set up for solo tripping) and I’ll be carrying part of his gear, assuming it won’t all fit in his boat. It will be fun to have my play boat with me if we end up camping near a good play spot!
After reading a few topics and comments (@system, are you reading along, I hear you have both!) I am hoping I can get some advice about these two boats and which would work better for my purpose.
I can test paddle the Encore sometime in March, but I most likely won’t be able to get my hands on the Viper unless I commit to buying it (he would bring it with him on a 12 hour drive, I’m not going to send him back with it after that much effort).
What say you?