Buying my first boat...I know almost nothing

[smolakian]

So, I live near a whitewater park and I feel like I should take advantage of it this summer. I'll probably take a roll class then just jump right into it.

I'll probably just be playing in the waves at first, then move on to some running...I don't really have anyone to kayak with yet anyway.

I'm looking at a wavesport EZG60 + gear for ~$750. The boat has only been used once.

It sounds like a great deal and the boat is the right size. (me: 6'2" 215lbs)

Will I be able to handle this boat and have fun with it?

I have been hearing about the jackson super fun also. Should I hold out to find something similar to that? I'm not gonna buy anything new.

[madturtle]

What does the gear include? Is that life vest, dry top, skirt, paddle, helmet and everything? Pretty good deal if so and might be worth jumping on. If it is just the skirt, paddle and boat still decent but if you shop look around you can probably match that buying used gear. Maybe not used once though.

EZG60 is the bigger river runner/playboat in that line I believe. Super fun is the bigger play boat. If you are mostly going to use it for the ww park I might lean towards a full on play boat. If you'll be running many rivers the extra volume of a RR/playboat might make sense. The shop near me has a pretty sweet demo program so i paddled a bunch of boats last summer while learning to kayak and settled on the Jackson 4 fun w/ the EZG 50 (med size) being choice #2 if I remember right. I figured I'd be more interested in running bigger rapids than play boating so I stayed away from a full PB, we'll see if I regret that decision at some point or just increase the quiver.

[smolakian]

Thanks,
It includes a helmet, paddle, skirt, float bags, pfd and gloves.

I don't wanna limit myself to playboating only. I'm sure I will get the itch to run.

[madturtle]

I don't think a PB will necessarily limit you to play boating. I was running 3-3+ in a playboat last summer but I definately went over more than in the RR/PB. Not a bad thing if you want to practice your roll. But w/ all that gear in one shot it sounds like a pretty good deal to me that I'd probably jump on. And you'll be able to surf that boat no problem just tougher on the tricks.

[spindrift]

I'm not far off your size. I'm not much of a boater these days (well, like not at all at the moment), but I was unimpressed with the EZG when I fooled with it. Seemed like it did nothing well. Not too impressed with the big project either - but better than the EZG. There was a real dearth of decent boats for bigger folks for a while. One of my kids in the same size zone is digging his agent 6.4. He's hoping to play with a Super Star soon. Expectation is of excellent playboating fun for bigger guys. The Super Fun seems to be working up a solid reputation. And it is darn big. I sat in one in the shop recently & was shocked at just how big it is. It seems to be well regarded for both play and river running. I think the sad bottom line for bigger guys is that you need to get into the current generation or so of bigger boats to find good designs by today's standards.

As far as where the limits on "playboats" are -- that depends on the river & the situation. Check out kayaktheworld's avatar. He was hitting Maruia Falls in a ZG. On the other hand, there are many smaller falls where that would not have been the call...

[kayaktheworld]

Although I don't think that the EZG is an amazing boat, it gets the job done.

$750 for a boat+gear sounds good to me. If you feel like you need a different boat later, you can get one when you know for sure that you will stick with it.

[Yonder_River]

The EZG is a decent playboat/river runner. Lots of people regularly run class IV in boats like that. Probably a little long for some tricks in the golden play park since the features kind of suck and are shallow, but you don't need to worry about that your first year.

And as you already seem to know...playboating is kind of fun, but gets old quick. If your an adventuresome type skier, you'll find that running creeks/rivers is the only way to go.

Check out mountainbuzz if you haven't for partners, or better yet the colorado whitewater groups website...lots of beginners to hook up with there.

Most importantly, get something quick because you have some great runoff in the front range right now.

[smolakian]

Thanks for the tips/suggestions guys.

The guy I was gonna get the EZG from sold it today. So, I'm back to looking. I'm going to Vegas this weekend so by next Monday I'll probably have a different budget. Hopefully (but no likely) for the better!

[kayaktheworld]

And as you already seem to know...playboating is kind of fun, but gets old quick. If your an adventuresome type skier, you'll find that running creeks/rivers is the only way to go.
.

I have done lots of creeking and playboating and I'm going to have to disagree with that comment.

Play boating never gets old so long as you keep improving and hitting bigger and bigger tricks. In my opinion it is actually more fun than creeking.

That said, this is only my personal opinion. To state out right that one kind of boating is, outright, less fun than another, is absurd.

[Yonder_River]

I have done lots of creeking and playboating and I'm going to have to disagree with that comment.

Play boating never gets old so long as you keep improving and hitting bigger and bigger tricks. In my opinion it is actually more fun than creeking.

That said, this is only my personal opinion. To state out right that one kind of boating is, outright, less fun than another, is absurd.

Definitely a matter of personal opinion.

I would have to say, though, that the freestyle scene is dominated for the most part by younger kids like yourself.

And it seems like most paddlers I know think it get's tiring/boring to be on a wave/hole for hour after hour and most likely this guy is going to feel the same way.

Kind of like bouldering is to trad climbing as jibbin in the park compares to big mountain riding. Kids are into the former a lot more than the latter.

[kayaktheworld]

True =). I have no problem sitting at a single good play spot for 5 or 6 hours at a time.

[RootSkier]

I have no problem being scared shitless on a creek for 5 or 6 hours at a time.

[Tye 1on]

Is boatertalk.com still a good forum? Used to buy tons of gear off of their gear swap...

[cmsummit]

some boats that would suit you

-WS EZG60
-WS Super EZ
-Jackson Super Fun
-Liquid Logic CR250
-Pyranha Recoil Large

[kayaktheworld]

Since you are no longer bound to a boat by a package deal, I would avoid the EZG. Although it is fine if you have to take it, if you have other options, I would use them. Also, don't get an EZ. It is not a very good boat in my opinion, and you will "grow" out of it quickly in terms of skill level.

The Jackson Super Fun would be a good bet.

If you are looking at the LL CR, also look at the Dagger RX.

Pyrnha boats are ok, just don't expect your outfitting to last for more than a few weeks.

Honestly, I would start looking into some more focused play boats. But hey, that is just me, most people would probably disagree with that idea.

[smolakian]

some boats that would suit you

-WS EZG60
-WS Super EZ
-Jackson Super Fun
-Liquid Logic CR250
-Pyranha Recoil Large

Remember over at phantasytour when I said that I didn't think I had the time or money to spend on another sport!

I forgot how on Saturday mornings when I wake up and its 90 I can't even fathom hopping on my bike...and you always need a partner to climb (no soloing for me).

[cmsummit]

Remember over at phantasytour when I said that I didn't think I had the time or money to spend on another sport!

I forgot how on Saturday mornings when I wake up and its 90 I can't even fathom hopping on my bike...and you always need a partner to climb (no soloing for me).

yeah, give me a holler when you get your gear and want to hit the river. I got a friend who is also newbie that I'm teaching this summer.

Also, DON'T GET A TRUE "PLAY"(freestyle) BOAT! They are too one dimensional for most beginners. They may be fine at the local park, but they won't be too friendly when it comes time to head down the river. There are much better options out there. Stick to one of the river running playboats I listed above.

and most importantly, HAVE FUN!

[ridinshockgun]

Wouldnt the Super Fun be a bit big? That's a HUGE boat.

Also, DON'T GET A TRUE "PLAY"(freestyle) BOAT! They are too one dimensional for most beginners. They may be fine at the local park, but they won't be too friendly when it comes time to head down the river. There are much better options out there. Stick to one of the river running playboats I listed above.

Speaking from experience, do that and you'll be looking for a new boat very soon.

I felt like the one's Ive tried - Agent, Astro, Ronin, Superstar are actually very good river runners.

[cmsummit]

Speaking from experience, do that and you'll be looking for a new boat very soon.

most boaters aren't running class V, 10 months after taking up the sport either.

it obviously, depends on how quickly you progress. for 95% of the boating population, you'll be able to get at least a year's worth of fun out of a river-running playboat and probably more.

[Elvez]

I have no problem being scared shitless on a creek for 5 or 6 hours at a time.

Sounds like you'll get to stretch that out a few extra hours on the Smith this weekend...

I'm hanging around 50/50 right now. I'd have to be back Saturday night to watch Blake's dog...

[teledave]

most boaters aren't running class V, 10 months after taking up the sport either.

Yeah, most of us have wives and girlfriends (or both) and don't go paddle 4-5 times a week.

smolakian, link to the NOC's blog on "What's the best beginner boat?"
http://www.nocpaddlingschool.blogspot.com/

I would go with a riverplay boat, kind of does everything okay but nothing great boat. Jackson 4Fun, Wave Sport EZ's or Diesel, Dagger RX or Mamba; the EZ & RX are more play oriented where the Diesel and Mamba are more river runniong oriented but all can play and run rivers fairly well. Check the manufacturers specs to see if you are in the weight range for the particular model. IMO, you are better off at the lower end of a boats weight range than you are at the higher end, especially learning. Check out the Gear Swap forum on Boatertalk.com and find something for around $350-400.

PS: I weigh in at 200 and use a Wavesport Big EZ, not the greatest boat in the world, but I'm not the greatest boater in the world either.

[kayaktheworld]

Honestly, you really don't lose any river running ability by going to a true play boat and you gain much more. If you are going to a river runner though, take the jackson. it is the only one of those that is actually good. The others all down right suck.

But hey, feel free to believe the hype and go with the typical "beginners need different boats" idea.

[RootSkier]

Hey man, good to see you in these parts.

See ya tomorrow night.

Sounds like you'll get to stretch that out a few extra hours on the Smith this weekend...

I'm hanging around 50/50 right now. I'd have to be back Saturday night to watch Blake's dog...

[mr_gyptian]

I'm about to sell a Dagger Juice 6.9 because of how specific a play boat it is in relation to my meager skillz.

I'm looking for a pyranha H3, or Jackson 4Fun. I was in a Jackson 4Fun yesterday and it didn't feel too big. I'm 5'9" 170.

regardless, the different boat made all the difference in the world.

[ridinshockgun]

The H3 and the 4Fun are totally different boats. Night and Day (I'm assuming you know this already).

I haven't paddled the Juice, but I didnt find the Fun series much more "forgiving" than the playboats Ive paddled though.