Page 123 - 2022-08-01 Paddling Magazine

CREEKERS FOR ALL

CREEK BOATS generally make challenging whitewater way. The stability and predictability of this category
more manageable, and that’s true whether you’re crush- also make creek boats a top choice for some paddlers
ing class V or a beginner looking to step up to class III. on difficult, high-volume whitewater. Those same
The term creek boat is an allusion to creeking— attributes are also valuable for helping beginner and
paddling steep, low-volume whitewater. Modern creek intermediate paddlers feel confident and step up
boats typically have high-volume designs, displace- their game. Finally, a creek boat’s higher volume and
ment hulls and rounded ends to charge downriver relatively larger size also make it an ideal kayak for
and not get hung up in or on river features on the carrying gear on multiday river trips.

CREEKBOATS DEFINED

ONE OF THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS new pad-
dlers ask is, “What’s the difference between a playboat, river
runner and creek boat?” Playboats are short, low volume
and designed for surfing, freestyle moves and play in place.
River runners form an increasingly blurry category situated
between playboats and creek boats. Some river runners, like
Jackson’s Antix, are more similar to playboats but have more
rocker and length for better capability on downriver runs.
Others, like the LiquidLogic Braaap, share a lot in common
with creek boats but have a specific design element, like
a slicey stern, encouraging play on river features. Speed
and playability are two features prioritized in current river
runner design trends. PLAYBOAT RIVER RUNNER CREEK BOAT
Most major whitewater kayak brands manufacture one or
more creek boat models. There are differences in boat design Hybridization with a flat bottom planing hull is becom-
when comparing models, but the basics of the modern creek ing more common. Planing hulls are relatively flat laterally
boat are consistent enough to be lumped together. They’re and have more defined edges. Planing hulls can turn more
typically eight to nine feet long, high volume with lots of sharply but are also more susceptible to catching an edge,
rocker, and designed for downriver efficiency. whether on an unexpected current or a rock.
The primary design elements differentiating creek boat Many of today’s creek boats feature a high-rocker displace-
models from each another are rocker profile, amount and ment-style bow paired with a planing-style stern with hard
distribution of volume, and hull shape. chines and an abrupt change in stern rocker that Benedict
You might be familiar with the concept of rocker profile. calls “stern kick rocker.” Each manufacturer’s rendition of
If you are looking at a boat from the side, its rocker profile this style varies and paddles differently.
defines where and how much the stern and bow rise. A boat Volume is the third characteristic feature of creek boats. A
with a large, continuous rocker profile would be shaped like high-volume kayak will quickly resurface. The high-volume
a banana. In practice, rocker is distributed unevenly through- bow and stern typical of creek boats reduce the chances of
out a boat’s profile. The distribution and amount of rocker either end submerging. Creek boats will be more forgiving
are important characteristics helping determine the speed, when the paddler is in the lower end of the weight range.
maneuverability and other performance aspects of the kayak. When looking at the manufacturer’s optimal weight range,
Many of today’s creek boats have embraced an aggressive don’t forget to account for the added weight of gear, especially
amount of bow rocker. According to long-time Liquid- if using the kayak for multiday missions.
logic Kayaks designer Shane Benedict,
“The trend right now is rocker. All the
new boats have lots of rocker.” More bow
rocker makes boofing easier and keeps the
paddler drier and moving faster through
waves. But more bow rocker shortens the LOW ROCKER
waterline reducing the boat’s overall speed.
The cross-sectional side-to-side shape
WARNING: CREEK BOATING IS of the hull also affects performance. Most
ADDICTIVE. PADDLERS MAY
EXPERIENCE EMOTIONAL HIGHS modern creek boats feature displacement
AFTER EXPOSURE. hulls. The round bottom of displacement
PHOTO: NICK GOTTLIEB
hulls slide off rocks more easily and are
usually more forgiving. HIGH ROCKER

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