C-Forum

Near new Vertige-X; great condition; fully outfitted; bow & stern skid plates installed; could deliver to BC border; $1800 (USD); would consider trade on ???; did I mention 'near new & great condition'? Send PM for pix.

Good comment about seat width, Mike W. When I first outfitted my Ocoee, I actually built a 12" wide seat. It was dreamy to sit on -- like a couch. And it displaced more water than a skinny pedestal. But then I got to worrying about not-much-room-between-the-seat-and-the-hull, and maybe getting feet ...

I'm a firm believer -- helmets on the head, and skid-plates on the stems. The stems (bow AND stern) are the first and worst parts of a royalex boat for abrasion and general hard-knox. I've even seen skid-plates installed onto composite hulls. Looks funny, but functional. It's doubtful the performanc...

I've seen staples and tacks used, with success.

But if it were my boat, I'd use small stainless-steel wood-screws, and washers.

Weave the webbing, but allow enough room between webs to allow water to flow through.

Great question -- a rare diversion from discussions about mini-cell foam saddles!

I confess I've drooled all over my screen since the pix of the Razor hit the home page. Looks like a good boat, but what would I know -- I'm still paddling a Grumman with truck tubes for flotation. (BTW, still a great boat for running over gerbils in eddies!) Can any of y'all share info about the Ra...

Thanks for getting this topic going. I've been using 1.5" plastic cam-buckles, but they aren't strong enough, and don't last. I'm interested in your suggestions about airplane buckles. I like the "pull-up-on-the-flap-to-release them" design -- very easy to cord them together, so a single pull will r...

Actually, they (he) are still in business -- sort of. . .

I doubt's it's hugely profitable -- it's a pretty small niche.

But he was thorough about answering a buncha dumb questions via e-mail, and did send some quality products in response to my order.

Interesting thread. Coupla short answers: jatakasawa was asking about hose. RV dealers stock some, in various diameters, which is flexible, but rigid enough not to kink. As far as complete kits, for those who don't wish to run around matching up random partz, check out www.rapidrunnerbilge.com. They...

yb and PLaP, I think the biggest thing they hammered on during my IDW/ICE was teaching to multiple styles at once and be adaptable. Your advice is great.


. . . or maybe it's just that BC paddlers fall over more often, and the water's too dam cold to keep the head submerged for long. . .

Hey Shep Pretty comprehensive outline -- good plan! Coupla minor tricks to help the hip snap -- some folks don't conceptualize this part easily: 1. "Pull up on the knee." (If your paddle side is 'right,' then pull up on your right knee. 2. "Push with your head." (As you pull the paddle across overhe...

Despair not, good people. Einar, assure your friend he is safe from nocturnal burglary. I'd guess that, for a slight extra fee, the good folks at Western would dig up the old molds, shovel out the dust, and build you a brand spanking new Challenger (aka Piranha), or a Merganser. Oldies, but goodies!

Hey Einar Good comment. Actually, Western made a couple of WW tandem boats worth discussing: In the '80s, they came out with the Encounter -- a lively tandem craft, about 16'8", and very round-bottomed. It was a great boat IF you (and your partner) could paddle it aggressively, and harmoniously. But...

Aw-w-w, WaveRhydr -- you've confirmed my worst fears about South Dakota. (Actually, having been born in Saskabush, I'm not surprised.) I guess I'm just gonna have to motor alla way down to TN and get you to show me some real rivers in the land of Davy Crockett. Long as you promise to come back with ...

Hey again, WaveRhydr. . .

Truly, it's a big continent. . .

I figger South Dakota's about half way 'tween us. Why don't we meet there, swap boats, and go for a paddle?

(They got any rivers in South Dakota?)

dam, WaveRhydr. . .

Wish you lived in the Pacific NorthWest. . .