Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

I have a couple of boats; a Wenonah Vagabond (14.6 canoe) and a longer touring yak that doesn't see much use these days. I love both for their particular purposes, but I'm thinking about adding a used kayak for easy class 1-2 rivers when I don't need to haul camping gear, and shorter/more maneuverable (not that the canoe isn't, just thinking there have been times I'd like a shorter boat.) I'm thinking in the 10-12' range maybe. I'm 5'5" 130 lbs. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

So many ways to go with this "niche". What ever you do, get something that is comfortable to sit in for hours, and try it out before you buy one.

You might be surprised by my suggesting it but the Green River kayak by Dagger is a good river runner, just that it is capable of so much more, to class VI. You might like it if it fits you.

I know you already have a sea kayak, but a shorter one would be more maneuverable, more stable, and still capable of class 1-2-3. There are many out there, but I do not have any closer than a Perception Carolina which is the same size as your canoe.

Have fun in your search.

Eric Esche

Leigh,

I'd recommend you try out a Liquid Logic 9' Remix or a 10' Dagger Approach.
I have two of the Approaches your welcome to try any time.
Best Regards
Jim

My "go-to" boat on the Buffalo, Rockport, and even a couple of times down the Mulberry is my Old Town Dirigo with a skirt. We've got a couple of Remix XP's but they are slow and the wind tears them up and makes them hard to paddle.
The Dirigo's have great storage capability and are stable, but the best part is that they are fast and don't take much effort to paddle forward. I've even dropped it over "Hells Roaring Falls" and watched it totally go under and pop up straight and level!

Just my

Wes

Have you considered an inflatable kayak such as the NRS Tributary Strike? http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp? ... eptid=1695" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; My wife has one of these, and it is great fun to paddle.

It's 10'3" long and weighs 36 lbs. We added foot braces (http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=1606" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) which made the boat great for playing in Class II and III water.

It takes just 5 minutes to inflate it so the IK is always carried in the trunk to the put-in. That means not having to lift it up to roof racks and not having to put up with the penalty in gas mileage.