C-Forum

This past weekend I convinced Alan to sell me (or he convinced me to buy?) his Defiant. :P So now Alan is one step closer to a Prowler (sorry Jim) and I have a new boat to learn. Alan's hull was #15 made in a standard lay-up in 1999 and weighing in at exactly 40 lbs. fully outfitted. (New buyers tak...

Jim, I always appreciate your insight. With respect to your last recommendation, I hope that's what I'm doing. I may get to paddle Alan's boat next weekend; that may lead me from a Rival to a Defiant. The only other boat still on my short list is the Rumba, although the Ignitor still intrigues me. Y...

Pat, Great question. The simple answer: after years in tandem royalex boats and in an ABS Rival, and I'm looking for a composite hull. I want the light weight, maneuverability and speed. And I'm among the converted: fixing a composite boat is easy; they will outlast Royalex and Royalite (R-84), and ...

Thanks EZ. Your descriptions make intuitive sense to me and are a great help with my thought process (although I think i will need a different kind of help when it comes to my decison process). Alan's comments help too. I need more experience in different boats; until then, I'm sure I'm over-thinkin...

Try the "search" feature; there is a lot of information on the Synergy here.

Can those who have paddled both comment on the differences in the paddling style best suited to each boat, strengths & weaknesses, and the differences handling down river cruising in addition to those pesky slalom gates?

Are the hulls on the Rival, Impulse, and Genesis generally the same shape? Do they vary primarily in length, or are there some other major differences? I believe that these three boats have softer chines. They are all described as beginner boats, or boats developed before "hard chines" were more gen...

Thanks, everyone! Nowhere else could I get such a wealth of knowledge and experience! It looks like I really need to take some of your advice. Simply, get a Vertige and paddle. [or get lucky and find a Synergy]. I hate to give up the opportunity for the Howler, but it is probably not the right boat ...

Jim: I've seen the Prowler mentioned as the "best" for what it does many times now. It originally seemed like too much boat for me - strong emphasis on turning, less on touring. Now, perhaps it's looking more appropriate. My remaining concerns are the long stretches of Class I / Flat water here, in ...

Ok, ok, I'm trying to get off the head of the pin. I am going to Portland, OR this weekend to paddle the Vertige (& Blast, just for a comparison of the two hulls). However, the Vertige-X (my preference) won't be available on the West Coast until much later this fall. [Haven't found a Caption or a Sy...

Has anyone paddled both the Bell Nexus and the new Esquif Vertige-X? Can you give us a review? I've heard nothing but good things about both boats. One (perhaps minor) concern is the quoted weight of the Vertige-X at 62 lbs. Any other comments on either boat?

Thanks.

It looks like several companies are "selling" the Vertige-X, for prices between $1010 and $1800 (NOC and Appomattox River Co).

Yet, despite favorable reviews of the prototypes, I've yet to see any specs. Does anyone know the length, width, weight and rocker of this much awaited new boat?

Thanks.

Can anyone tell me about the Hooter and / or Defiant for river cruising? My point of comparison would be a Rival.

cbcboat - Thanks for the info on the Nexus. That's about what I expected. Living in Western Washington I haven't paddled any of these boats. They aren't sold by retailers here. Almost no one buys an OC-1 in WA. Therefore there is no used boat market either. This is K-1 territory, and mostly sea kaya...

Thanks for your help. g2d - I've looked at the Hooter and Defiant. How do they compare with the Edge, in terms of being slalom designs that might be too rockered and edgy for general river cruising / touring? How would the Millbrook ME compare with the Caption or your Synergy? I might not have been ...