Boat of the Week - Dagger Caption

[Sir Adam]

Of all the OC2's I see traded around, this and the ME seem to be two of the most popular (of "older" boats, that is).

I've never paddled one, but from the images I've seen of folks boating in them they are fun and capable....

https://www.cboats.net/c_db/list.php?ty ... me=Caption" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I imagine some of you have some tales (and images!) to share from paddling Captions, if the images we have in the Museum are any indication:)

[Einar]

Where old play boats go when a new generation comes along....

Just got in Saturday from a 6 day April trip in Oregon in my converted Caption; now a solo with the center seat adjustable for load trim.

With a full gear load and a chair on top the boat packs flat, nothing above the gunnels. Soloed it's speed easily out paces the Cat rafts and everything else on the river.
(O.k., maybe not a 17' kevlar Prospector)
With 2- 48 inch flotation bags there is lots of room (30"+) to pack everything behind the seat leaving room in front to sit traditionaly stretching out the legs or, kneal with straps in the rapids.

Last fall it ran the MF Salmon in low water Sept 18 and it was great doing the now short & steep pourovers, with it just rising on it's bow rocker, dry, dry, dry. With a load it wlll turn well, if you lean it hard, but it's no c-1, just have to be aggressive. Actually it has increasingly solid secondary with a single paddler and centered load.
As a tandem I found it wet in the the middle, but that went away solo.

To deal with the large bow rocker/high sheer I carry a cheap plastic collapsible water bag that, when filled up, I clip into the forepeak to help handle the afternoon canyon headwinds, works great.

Since the rafts tend to just blow thru the gnarl and keep going the Caption does a good job a of "gunning and running" with them, a good match up.

The hull tends to be a little floppy and definitely needs an additional thwart and if you are so inclined adding slightly thicker woods gunnels stiffens the hull up. Great find for $350 2nd hand.

[ohioboater]

Good boat, though it can be wet in a side surf. Of the tandems I've paddled, so far the only one I would even consider replacing it with would be a Blast. That is, if I didn't just replace it with another Caption. Blast is more fun in technical water and for surfing, but the Caption's hull speed makes it more useful on easier water and big water.

[the great gonzo]

Never owned one myself, but my friends own one that I borrowed a few times for the Gull river slalom race. Awesome boat, dry, fast and maneuvrable. Works well with a less experienced partner, too.

TGG!

[ezwater]

Back in '98, looked at the Caption, and at the MR Synergy, and chose the Synergy, believing it to be better for solo cruising, especially considering the high proportion of flatwater, even swamp tours, that I do.

I made the right choice. The Synergy is somewhat faster and works better set up for cab-forward, no J stroke technique. The Synergy handles headwinds better.

But the Caption spins better, ferries more dynamically, front surfs better, and is drier solo or tandem. You pays your money and you makes your choice. Mad River could have resurrected the Synergy. Instead they brought back the Caption.

[valhallalongboats]

As far as tandem paddling goes, there isn't another boat I would choose for running big water, Class IV and up, than the Caption. (Synergy runs a close second) There are newer tandem whitewater boats out that are better in super technical water, but my usual feeling is that if its that tight, I'm taking a solo boat anyway. Old design, but still one of the best!

[cadster]

Mohawk Probe 14’ is a similar canoe. Probe has more rocker so slower, but easier to turn. Rocker and bigger ends in the Probe probably make it dryer, too. Caption is a better looking design.

[clt_capt]

Never paddled it tandem, but it was a dry, fast solo boat in moderately big water... Certainly more responsive than the OCA I was used to paddling. I thought it was a step up from the sunburst as a plastic class slalom boat...

[Stingray]

First time, jumped in the stern with a weak boater in the bow, the boat was predictable and did what I wanted it to, to my surprise, it was a bit wet when negotiating bigger stuff (class 3ish), total weight was about 270, I didn't set it up and we may have been a bit close to the ends, Second time I was in the bow, weaker then I, but a strong boater, total weight was about 330, the boat still negotiating well, really didn't get to see how wet is was do to the lack holes & waves, no bailing was done, I enjoyed the ride both times and think it would make a good big water solo boat for a big person, that's not me, I would paddle it again in the appropriate conditions, I don't like bailing and never will, especially when the waters cold, I'd rather ware a skirt.