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i've had a nagging curiosity about this boat since it came out. i've always been a fan of the short boat (topolino, stubby, big ez), these boats just work better on the low water RF runs and micro creeks in the neighborhood. seems each time there's a list for 'favorite' boats, a handful of folks throw it up there with all sorts of unbelievable hosannas. even more intriguing, so many folks compare it favorably to ole stubby in a lot of reviews. could it be?
thanks to skyboyroller, i got a chance to try this thing out this weekend. we've got mid-high 200s in the river, great for testing something different. and a 6'8" planing hulled creek boat is pretty dadgum different. Saturday's adventure was just that, a big adventure. I jumped into the boat without much adjustment, just a little extra foam for my short legs, and plunged into garden hole. First thought is 'darn, this thing is pretty stable'. second thought is 'darn, i could lean forward and rub noses with this thing'.
the paddle downstream was fun, easy boat to maneuver, but piggishly slow in the pools. consequently, when we got to the stuff, i overpaddled and kept over-running my lines. also, it seemed like I was plugging EVERYWHERE. that was a bit disconcerting, but after each plug, the boat just popped up and, with a stroke or two, kept right on downstream. not once did the tail catch in whichever hole had stopped me (fist, 2nd drop, 3rd drop, el horrendo). and while I had some, um...interesting...lines on Saturday, I only got my head wet once and that was coming off the boof below el horrendo.
sunday, I moved the seat back about an inch, adjusted the thigh hooks a bit more and another shim of foam in the hips. i could feel the difference immediately in the rapid falling out of Garden Hole. I smacked 3 mini boofs on the way down and it just clicked. i gained confidence in the boat with each rapid, nailing the lines just like i did in my ole stubby. 2nd & 3rd drops were like butter and the plank moves at elho & walk the plank were so so rock solid. no plugging AT ALL on this run, was much easier to keep the nose up hitting boofs and skipping over holes. the thing changes direction with a flick of the hip and, while slow in pools, finds its speed in moving water, especially on those must make ferries (fist, 3rd drop, planks...). in two days, never once felt sterny, tippy, or otherwise funky landing drops or on eddy lines. i do need to get used to the flat hull in places (i'm far more used to displacement), but other than that, it felt like a pair of comfortable shoes!
so its monday, skyboyroller no longer has a scud for sale. i've found my low water boat and tryouts will begin soon for the highwater arrow in my little quiver... |
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ummmm...got scud? New 
BoaterTalk 
