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The Right size 17 years 1 week ago #21433

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I'm looking to buy a river runner and have demoed several boats. I like the Dagger Mamba and the Pyranha Burn. My problem is at 5'10"/205 (with basic gear) I fall on the line between the medium (8.0) and large (8.5) sizes. I've tried both. The smaller boats fit better and were easier to maneuver, but were a little less forgiving. The big boats felt too loose but seemed to get pushed around a little less easily. I'm new to kayaking but seem to prefer river running to playing and would like to do overnighters in the future (or at least carry a camera, some food etc and not have the boat perform poorly because it's overloaded) and I'm not sure if I should go with the medium because it paddles and fits better or the large so I can carry some gear and have the volume to run bigger water or maybe a creek or two. Any advice/experience would be awesome!
Mat

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Re:The Right size 17 years 6 days ago #21466

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I'm going to demo a Large Burn tomorrow. Hopefully that'll help. Anyone bought a large and wish they had gone with a medium or vice versa?

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Re:The Right size 17 years 6 days ago #21467

If the majority of rivers near you are medium to large volume I would go for the larger size. But if they're low volume, with loads of exposed rocks and highly technical, a shorter boat might be nicer. Those are BY NO MEANS hard and fast rules. What it comes down to, is what works for you. Shorter boats are slower, they are more likely to get back looped or stopped in holes. Their shorter length does make them easier to maneuver though. Longer boats are less maneuverable, but they have more reach and are more likely to boof over holes, and punch them. They hold a line better. Get a copy of Corran Addison's DVD, Legend of the Falls. He explains about reactions and power of the individual as well. Interesting DVD and I highly recommend it to anyone. I've got a short and a long creek boat and they are both very different boats! The small one is super lively and resurfaces really quickly. It is a different animal to paddle in comparison to the large, which I spend far more time in. I'm 6' 187lbs. Demo mate... B) Have fun, and good luck! :cheer:

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