@deazle
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Those are two extremely different canoes you mentioned. The Zephyr is a hot little boat, made of Twintex, notorious for cracking and you can’t fix it yourself like most glass layups. Learning curve may be a little steep in the Zephyr. The Condor is a bigger, longer boat. Blackfly’s answer to the Silverbirch Rebel…probably more stable than the Rebel.
The MWA puts on a spring clinic you might want to check out. Good way to meet some people and possibly try out some different boats. The races, in March, is also a good event to meet local paddlers.
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This is tragic. Gary was always there to help. Especially an open boater like myself because then he’d get to make fun of you. It won’t be the same without him. I’m so thankful I was fortunate enough to know him and call him my friend. And I’m glad my kids got to know him. They sure loved the Cat rides in high water. I will never forget that permagrin and laugh.
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There was one tree completely across the river, about 4′ in diameter. The water was pooled in front of it, so it was easy to portage around. There were no other log jams, really. But there were a lot of trees and wood scattered throughout the run. I got pinned ,briefly, on a small submerged tree in a swift shallow spot. I was avoiding a rock and was already leaned downstream………so I had that going for me!! If there was a blind corner, no eddie downstream in sight and swift current, we stopped and scouted. Gotta be the most exciting run I’ve done in Missouri. And I hear ya……I’ve hiked that trail and thought to myself, “I can’t imagine what this would look like with a lot of water in it.” The gorge section is technical, steep (126 fpm), fast and not without consequence. It earns its class IV rating. I’m told it’s good in the winter/early spring. Not as much foliage in the way.
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I have a 16′ Nova Craft Prospector. I spent a lot of time and $ outfitting it and had it on whitewater twice, if that tells you anything. And the prospector is one of the more whitewater friendly rec boat designs. Rec boats take on too much water. Even with floatation, it’s almost impossible to negotiate a rapid with the weight of two people and the water you take on, no matter how skilled you are. Look at a tandem whitewater canoe. They are heavily rockered, and the seats are close to the middle. Both for turning purposes. My advice is to get a whitewater specific boat if you plan on doing whitewater with it at all. You can always paddle it on flat water too. Not so much the other way around.
Dean
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Dagger Caption would be nice, if you can find one. Although it’s not a small solo boat at 14′. Some have a triple saddle system where you can seat two or one. The Mad River boat you posted had recreational seats. You can outfit a rec boat but it’s not worth it unless you plan on doing expedition style trips in whitewater. I’d try a couple out before you commit to the dark side.
Dean
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Define light to moderate whitewater. What rivers are you thinking? Also depends how much you plan to load it. Casual day of fishing and floating ?….two person overnighter?……or strictly whitewater? It only has 1.25″ of rocker. That’s not a lot.
Dean
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Thanks Jon. I was going to reply sooner but bit my tongue. Somehow I knew you’d respond with better demeanor than I would. Sounds like an “oops” moment. “Paddlers” (for the sake of keeping it PC) tend to bunch up in the play spots before Big Drop to warm up. I really hope Rhonda is okay. It’d be a shame for this one incident to discourage her from such a wonderful sport. Let’s face it, I’ve swam every inch of the St Francis and have become very intimate with a few of it’s rocks. It’s gonna happen paddling Millstream at any water or skill level. And knowing what to do in the event of a swim can lessen injury. Not to assume Rhonda’s paddling skills, but perhaps participating in a clinic, where things can be slowed down in a teaching environment, with like skilled paddlers would restore a bit of faith in us MO paddlers. BTW….I’m not mentioning any of this to my wife, as she’s actually taking the clinic this year and she already doesn’t like most of you “off” the river!!!! 🙂
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Welcome, fellow open boater! Stronger grows the dark side! Unfortunately I can’t make it this weekend. I’m sure someone will be paddling. Generally, boaters congregate at the take out at D bridge at Silvermines Campground @ 11:00. If there’s no open boaters, you’ll have to settle shuttling with a kayaker. Yah, they look a little strange and may smell funny, but they’re otherwise harmless. Depending on your skill level and what type of boat you paddle, this level is low but certainly doable. BTW, we have a clinic in April if you’re interested. Always a good time.
Dean
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