River-running playboat suggestions?

**sethschmautz** · 04-17-2008, 10:54 AM

Hey guys,

I've spent the majority of my time on skiing side of this website, but was very active on the Boatertalk site many years ago. I have a friend who is a beginner that bought a boat a year or so ago that's a bit over his head (he believes). The boat is a Pyranha S6, and he's looking to buy a boat that's a little more forgiving than this boat for general river running and play.

I've never paddled the S6, but the majority of my experience has been in difficult-to-paddle boats designed by Corran Addison (Savage line including the Scorpion and Fury and the Riot line including the 007, Glide production and prototype version with a 9" lift, Slice, Trickster, Dominatrix, Tekno, Big Gun and Turbo), so my view is probably a little bit skewed.

A few years ago I got a little burnt out on the boating scene and have taken about a 3-4 year break from much whitewater paddling. As a result, I feel like I know nothing about the current line of boats out there to offer good suggestions. A lot of the current boat designs (Dagger RX, Wavesport EZG, etc.) seems to be similar in shape to the old EZs, and a friend of mine has really liked his older Ace 5.1.

The friend is about 5'10 and 190 lbs and very active. Any suggestions for a good new or used boat to replace the S6 for? Good technique would probably solve a lot of his problems. If he was able to spend some time honing skills, would he eventually like the S6? He continually talks about the hard chines of the S6, so something with software sub-surface lines would probably be great. Thanks in advance!

Seth

**skibuminwyo** · 04-17-2008, 11:18 AM

I'm sure most of these guys have better suggestions than I do, but

is my winner. Liquid Logic CR125

**crackboy** · 04-17-2008, 11:20 AM

as a relative beginner myself, i enjoyed paddling the Jackson Fun, but your friend would probably want the 4fun or Superfun

**sethschmautz** · 04-17-2008, 11:56 AM

Thanks guys. I didn't look much at the liquid logic line, but took a look at the Jackson line. cb, how much do you weigh? How playful was the boat at your weight (ease of stern squirts, cartwheeling, surfing)? Thanks in advance,

Seth

**donutlynx** · 04-17-2008, 12:50 PM

Something really easy to paddle for river play would be the Pyranha Recoil. Check that out if you have a chance. The Ammo is also a cool boat, but probably not playful enough for someone who is already in an S6.

I paddled an S6 for awhile, and I thought it was a pretty good boat, but I paddled a ProZone before that, so go figure. I also had the S6X and the S6f, the latter of which was a really nice playboat/river runner. Given time, the S6 should prove to a good boat for what he's looking for...but changing things up is never a bad thing to do.

$0.02.

**Senor_Smoke** · 04-17-2008, 01:04 PM

I love my Jackson FUN. I'm 6 foot, 175lbs and this is my second season boating. At 190 your buddy would be too big for a fun, but the 4fun might work. It felt WAY huge for me though.

It seems playful enough. Surfs great. I can't cartwheel, but I'm fairly certain that's my fault, not the boat's. That said, I now sort of wish I had an Allstar.

**brice618** · 04-17-2008, 02:52 PM

The 4 should fit just fine. I am 200 6'3 and fit it, but just barely. I think its more of a length thing than a weight issue though.

**hialtitude** · 04-17-2008, 03:20 PM

Just my 2 cents: you will outgrow the 4fun quickly. I bought a 4fun and less than a year later I got rid of it for a full on play boat. btw I am 6' 190 and the 4fun fit well

**Northway** · 04-17-2008, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by NlytendOne

Something really easy to paddle for river play would be the Pyranha Recoil.

Have you paddled this boat? What did you think? I was looking at one the other day and thought it would be a great multi-day boat for raft-supported trips like Selway, Middle-fork, etc. Something comfortable and surfable, and a bit of volume for bigger water. Looked like a nice boat.

**donutlynx** · 04-17-2008, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Northway

Have you paddled this boat? What did you think? I was looking at one the other day and thought it would be a great multi-day boat for raft-supported trips like Selway, Middle-fork, etc. Something comfortable and surfable, and a bit of volume for bigger water. Looked like a nice boat.

I took one down the Upper Yough in Maryland last summer. Next time down I took a friends 7-0. I liked them both. I thought it was easy to paddle through the steep stuff, and still was able to surf the good spots and play may way down through waves and stuff. It is definitely not a full-on playboat, by any means. However, they are tons of fun, and I think taking one on a multi-day raft-supported trip would be a great time. Just my opinion though, as I don't usually follow the flow of trends. Worth a demo.

**Northway** · 04-17-2008, 03:54 PM

Nice, Thanks.

May try to demo one this spring. I'm not exactly current on playboat trends, either, as I still have and love my Necky Chronic. Thinking the recoil would be an addition to the Chronic.

**donutlynx** · 04-17-2008, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by Northway

Thinking the recoil would be an addition to the Chronic.

Yep. It's definitely not a Chronic, but it would make a nice downriver play boat.

**Storm11** · 04-18-2008, 01:33 PM

2nd the CR125. Also have him check out the Jackson SuperStar. It is a playboat, but a fairly forgiving one at that, especially compared to the S6. The new Wavesport Fuse is a pretty sweet design, but have yet to paddle one. The Recoil is a nice boat, but definitely more towards the river running end of things. Stay away from the Dagger RX.

**Njord** · 04-20-2008, 09:17 AM

Thought I recognized the name... used to hang around Boatertalk from 1996 to 2006. But then it went ghey.

There are not that many difficult boats out there anymore (anything made in the last 5 years). I used to rock a Fury back in the day. What a great boat.

It's hard to go wrong with anything that is is in the 7-8 foot range now.

Njord