Views on flat bottom creek boats
Hey all.
I am in the market for a new creek boat but want one that is similar to my flat bottom playboats to paddle.
I have a salto currently, and find it paddles like a hollowed out tree and struggle to throw it around and get it to go where I want it to, mainly because it has more of a round chine and spend most of my time in a flat bottom playboat, I find on grade 3-4 stuff that I am better off in a playboat without the volume as it is quicker to respond and can get it to go where I want.
I am wanting to move away from the Salto, (it may come up for sale very soon) I know that each boat has its place and the skill of the paddler is the key, but what options have I for a creek type boat of larger than 65 gallons with a flat bottom?
So far the H3 is winning, as I don't have the money for a Burn, and maybe a Riot Thunder or a Liquid Logic Jefe. (Is it flat?) I know that every boat has its good points and bad, such as flat bottom boats getting stuck easier on rocks, and rails that can catch a bit more, but the do move easier and tend to have a turning circle less than the arctic circle and make the transition between boats easier.
What do people think of flat bottom creekers, or semi flat bottom creekers, how would you rate them compared to a Salto?
Out of the boats mentioned above what would you rate the best for a bit of grade 4 stuff on the coast? I am 175 cm tall and about 75 kg's
Any suggestions?
Cheers Andy
bliss stick mac one has a flattish bottom Andy
I have purchased a Pyranha burn - medium, however it is cracked so don't want to take it down anything serious on the coast such as fly-ins as it is a recipe for trouble, even though it has been repaired really well, so will learn how it works being new to me and paddle up to grade 4 in it, then sell it as a beginners boat as it is easy to roll and handle, or a teachers boat, etc and try and save up for another. I am roughly the same size and weight as your wife and paddle a medium burn, not a small, as the extra volume makes it a creek boat rather than a river runner. If I get the chance I will try a Thunder. So if anyone wants a cheap medium Burn for around $800 that has been repaired, let me know, thanks for your views and happy paddling.
Regards Andy
Same dilema for several years. Solved with Riot Thunder 65. More river runner than creek boat but decent volume, goes where you point it. Also have a Magnum 72 for when I'm extra scared, more volume, much more creeky with more rocker quick resurfacing, rounder front of hull but has some chines running down the back 1/2 that aid tracking heaps so feels very much like a river runner. Also light and doesn't feel too big. I found both Riot boat fitout very fiddly so removed the thigh and hip braces and made my own with foam, didn't need much as hull shape is good. Wife has a small Burn which is little too small for me ( 75kg 179cm, me not her!) but similar idea to thunder. have also trialled a Dagger mamba 8.1 which was the boat that convinced me to go that route but could not find one at the time. Looking at the groups on the water I wonder if the trend of running everything in playboats is dying off as the pleasure of speed and carving are making a comeback.
If your after something that you can edge or rail try the Burn (M) the Diesel 70 and either the Mamba 8.1 or habitat 74 great creek boats.
the Jefe/Nomad have rounded hulls so not what your after.
good luck
a jefe is the opposite of what your after, scratch that off your list