C-Forum

Should I replace my Atom?
by Kurt Kurt

Been paddling an Atom for a couple years. It's pretty much the only whitewater boat I've ever paddled; one weekend in an open boat, bought the Atom. Never yakked, no OC since then, so I have limited experience with other hulls.

I finally (!) trust my roll and feel comfortable on II+ water, looking to step up to solid III next summer. I'm at the point where I can finally make use of the edges on the Atom, but also think they'll be a liability on more difficult water.

I have the opportunity to get a great deal on a little used Z and I've heard they make great conversion boats. I'm 6', 185. Preferred uses are surfing and river running; the thinks I like best about the Atom are it's hull speed and surfing ability.

So what are the pro's and con's of a Z conversion as compared to an Atom?

Posted on Sep 13, 2002, 8:44 PM

Z is BIG step up from Atom
by Boise Bob

I have the same physical stats and I sold my Atom after 1.5 years because of its length. The Z has reasonable speed, but slower than Atom. The surfability and play of the Z is great. I have the seat height at 6" and its very stable. The Z cockpit is big for a yak and wide..26". Sell the Atom to the next beginner and convert the Z.

Bringing C1 to the west...Boise Bob

Posted on Sep 15, 2002, 2:22 PM


Ja
by Steffen Steffen

Replace it.
I changed to a Gliss and feel much saver on WW than before. The Atom is not as fast as you think. It tracks good because of his length. But not better than the Gliss. I think the Z is a good choice

Posted on Sep 16, 2002, 11:58 AM


Replace?
by Rob weum Rob weum

You don't have to replace your atom if you really like it but you should buy the Z if it's a good deal! I started paddling a Z this spring (6'5" 190lbs.) and I really love it. I think it has way more play potential than the Atom and I find it to be a great boat on class II and III whitewater. I also have a friend who loves the Atom. When he heard it was discontinued he ran out and bought 2! I've only paddled an Atom on flat water so I can't compare very well. Good luck. Don't pass up this opportunity!

Rob

Posted on Sep 17, 2002, 6:05 AM

the chine on the atom are not as sharp as they are on the Z
by Quico Reed Quico Reed

first, let me humbly qualify what i am about to say in that I am an Open canoeist and a kayaker, i have not c-1ed, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express, and I've been "studying" the idea...I think I'm getting the bug!

Anyway, I've been looking at the Atom for a while, and have made a point to check them out close up. I ran into a couple of guys on the Ocoee, one in an Atom, and one in a Z-1. The chine on the Z seemed much more pronounced on the Z than the Atom, but not as sharp still as the Gliss I paddle now. I hear folks comment about the aggressive edges of the Atom, but by my standards, after starting in a very gentle Pirouette S, moving to a Gliss, and seeing the chine in the Atom, I have to say that while it is more aggressive than the Pirouette or the Cascade, it is NOT as aggressive as modern "play-runner" chines.

So, when I read your comment that you are afraid that the edges on the Atom will be a liability on whitewater above class II, I have to disagree. I think the Atom will be a superb river runner through class 4, BUT what would have me worried is the pointed bow, due to the risk of bow-pinning. But someone else will ahve to enlighten me about how the Atom handles steep drops, if it buries its bow or planes out ok.

But if you can afford to get a second boat, do so, and don't sell the Atom until you are sure you don't want to paddle it anymore. I miss my old Pirouette terribly whenever I am at the top of a new, more difficult river, and am not sure if I REALLY want to paddle my little Gliss down them there BIG old rapids. The Atom might be a better river runner than you think.

Posted on Oct 11, 2002, 9:33 AM

I made my previous comment before I'd paddled an Atom. Now I own one.

I started in WW kayak, then progressed to the Atom (return from the dark side!).

In one summer I was running class II rapids and even a couple of threes. The edges on teh boat are NOT a problem at all. The Atom is exactly what I thought: a great river runner, quite capable of running class IV water. It's not the boat, it's the boater.

The Atom rolls fairly easily, although I'm not sure I'd consider the canoe roll to be easy, in comparison to the kayak roll. Still, I learned it one day in the pool after watching a video online. So, how hard can it be?

It turns easily and handles fast rivers spritely. What is does not like very much is drops, since the low volume bow plunges deeply.

But there are techniques to minimize that problem.

And DANG but the Atom is pretty in the water. I love mine, wouldn't sell it for the world. (well, ok...if the price was right, maybe I would).

http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb24 ... 140152.jpg

I met a guy the other day who tells me his preferred boat for big water--and by that he meant the White Nile--is the Atom.

Now I wish I had a cascade for creeking!

The nicest looking one I ever saw was the kevlar gold prototype I saw on the Nanty... I think Andy Bridge was paddling it...

I totally agree: keep the atom and get another one if you can aford, and have some place to store them!

The atom is a nice looking river runner, now think about what is your next boating step. Are you looking at doing more harder creeking? Then get a prelude, skeeter, a fink or a creeker conversion like the remix, jefe or other.

Are you looking at doing more surf / play / freestyling? Then get a salsa (esquif) or a wheelboy or a squirtboat conversion. There's so many kayaks around 6' long to find on the used market.

I do myself have a collection of 5 boats! Expeditions, play, creek, fishing, solo or duo all the options are there but you obviously need a big garage to store them!

Keep the C!

I've seen composite Atoms by Class V on the Nantahala. Is Class V making boats to order right now? The link on cboats.net no longer goes anywhere.

I'm a Zealot owner, but at my age it has become increasingly hard to get my knees to accept the low kneel in the Zealot.