CO kayaker got a boat question

**TreeRat** · 08-10-2007, 06:20 AM

I last Saturday Killed my "first" and only kayak. it was an inazone.

Now I will be moving to Denver this fall and want to know am I better of looking at a creak boat or a play boat. I guess I am asking is will I find more rivers/ paddlers if I only a have a creak boat or a play boat. The goal long term is to have both. I just don't have hte cash if I am moving.

I am a solid Class III boater. I have been wanting to class up but my Paddling buddy is only a class II+ / -III paddler. I rarely swim, and I have a solid roll.

Tree Rat

**soylent green** · 08-10-2007, 08:19 AM

An all around river runner would be best for you. Something like a Jackson Fun that will also do well in a play park. You can work of the quiver when you get out here and decide what kind of boating you like best.

**TreeRat** · 08-10-2007, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by soylent green

An all around river runner would be best for you. Something like a Jackson Fun that will also do well in a play park. You can work of the quiver when you get out here and decide what kind of boating you like best.

I would put the Inazone in the river runner, and I am so tired of it.

I have paddled the smaller (read to small in volume) fun's for my weight. You can fit someone 6 foot into a 2 fun ( I was surprised). First time I could plow the bow under and stall it. At 200 lbs, I would not have been able to run it' on rivers.

I keep dreaming about buying an all star, but I have not pulled the trigger. I just have not had time to get out and paddle this last year.

I had always figured I get a play boat and have the inazone for classing up till I bought a creakier. At that point there would be no reason for a river runner.

Tree Rat

**hialtitude** · 08-10-2007, 09:25 AM

I am not a Colorado boater but,

I would get a play boat over a creek boat if you can only have one. Some people run the shit (not advised) in playboats and you may have an easier time meeting people at a park. There will be more gear that you will need to buy to creek boat as well so if cash is a concern then you need to consider it.

But what the fuck do I know, buy the boat that you enjoy and get it for the use that you want.

**TreeRat** · 08-10-2007, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by hialtitude

But what the fuck do I know, buy the boat that you enjoy and get it for the use that you want.

But I want to be a lemming.

sorry I just found humor in your comment.

Tree Rat

**hialtitude** · 08-10-2007, 09:46 AM

TreeRat,
You should check out http://www.mountainbuzz.com/ which is a boating forum based in Colorado. That or http://www.boatertalk.com/ will get you a lot more responses on your question.

**soylent green** · 08-10-2007, 09:51 AM

Coloradokayakers.com is also a good resource. It started as a class II III boaters forum but it seems like everone improved. Mountainbuzz is more similar to TGR.

**RootSkier** · 08-12-2007, 11:58 PM

Get the playboat. If you are paddling II/III there is no reason to have a creekboat.

**smolakian** · 08-13-2007, 09:19 AM

Well, you aren't gonna get much creeking done in the fall in Denver I would guess. But, if you have a play boat you can still hit up the front range playspots that stay good until the winter. Plus, since you are new to CO, with a playboat you can go to the parks by yourself and meet people to paddle with. Once you have a crew to go creeking with you can buy a creek boat next spring.

**Conundrum** · 08-13-2007, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by RootSkier

Get the playboat. If you are paddling II/III there is no reason to have a creekboat.

Yep. You'll learning a lot of skills from playing that will carry over to creeking.

**TreeRat** · 08-13-2007, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by smolakian

Well, you aren't gonna get much creeking done in the fall in Denver I would guess. But, if you have a play boat you can still hit up the front range playspots that stay good until the winter. Plus, since you are new to CO, with a playboat you can go to the parks by yourself and meet people to paddle with. Once you have a crew to go creeking with you can buy a creek boat next spring.

This sounds like sound advise.

Also since I would be bored out of my mind in a creek boat with my old paddle buddy when we somewhere.

I guess I got some paddle in demo boats to do.

The Tree Rat