Page 124 - 2022-08-01 Paddling Magazine

WHITEWATER
PHOTO: NICK GOTTLIEB

WHAT’S INSIDE

MOST CREEK BOATS, like the rest safety, or more adjustable to fit as many In terms of safety, modern creek
of whitewater kayaks, are made from people as quickly as possible. boats from reputable brands come with USED CREEK BOAT
rotomolded high-density polyethylene. If you’re considering multiday trips, two bow and three stern grab handles. BUYING TIPS
Polyethylene is a resilient plastic suited it’s important to be able to pack gear into Most are metal, reinforced, angled and Kayaks can last decades, so
for the abuse creek boats suffer on river the boat easily. The boat’s outfitting con- shaped to clip into easily. Safety step- there’s no reason not to consider
rocks. To make the kayak, plastic pellets tributes to this in a few ways. First, some out pillars are a reasonably new idea buying used. That said, used
are poured into a hollow metal mold creek boats allow you to remove the replacing minicell foam pillars in the kayaks come in all sorts of condi-
and then heated and rotated in a mas- bulkhead easily and pack gear in front bow. Two things here: The boat is less tions. Of course, you want to be
sive oven to distribute the now-molten of it. This is a great feature, but it’s not a likely to crush and trap your legs; and, sure you’re paying a reasonable
plastic throughout the mold. The trick dealbreaker—many people self-support if pinned, you can step on them and price for the number of days
is to get the right amount of plastic to without packing gear in front. step out of the boat. you’re likely to get out of the boat.
be crazy durable but not stupid heavy. Access behind the seat varies from Creek boats have bulkheads, not foot Try to ascertain how much
After it has cooled, the mold is removed boat to boat, too. While it’s good pegs. It’s a good practice to cover the the person selling the boat has
to reveal a perfectly cast kayak requiring enough in virtually all creek boats, bulkhead with minicell foam to cushion paddled it and on what kind
only light hand-finishing for outfitting some models and designs will be easier your ankles from impact and prevent of whitewater. If you’re buying
and accessories. to work with. Ultimately, it depends on your feet from slipping past the edges a pro paddler’s year-old creek
Speaking of accessories, comfort the hardware at the back of the seat, and of the bulkhead and getting trapped. boat, the odds are good they’ve
matters. Creek boating is not like the space between the seat and the top Some kayaks ship with this pre-in- used and abused it and even if
playboating at a local surf spot where of the hull behind the cockpit. Either stalled foam, other manufacturers it isn’t cracked, it might be close.
you’re typically taking a few rides and test your gear to see if it will fit or be provide adjustable foam blocks to glue When I lived on the East Coast,
then getting out for a break. If you’re prepared to change your packing list to your bulkhead. Dagger’s bulkheads, paddling 150 to 200 days a year,
paddling a creek boat, you’ll likely be and system to suit your new boat. for example, can be adjusted to fit the I would break about one boat
in it a decent amount of time, especially No kayak outfitting is more robust hull’s shape and come with pre-marked a year, regardless of brand. If
on longer trips or multiday expeditions. than creek boat outfitting. Things we’ve foam pads. If your boat doesn’t come a boat has been paddled con-
Today’s boaters are lucky. Outfitting learned about durability and safety have with foam on the bulkhead, consider sistently on hard, lower volume
has never been better for comfort and been filtering down into river runners. buying some and adding it yourself. whitewater, odds are it’s near its
breaking point.
You can also assess this by
looking at the boat. Is there oil
THANKS TO DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS IN COMFORT canning, an indentation under
AND SAFETY, IT'S A GREAT TIME TO BE A BOATER. the seat? Is the hull heavily
PHOTO: DANIEL STEWART
worn? Is the outfitting torn, worn
and falling apart? Are there any
major dents in the boat or any
other evidence of a catastrophic
piton? Look closely at any areas
around dents that might harbor
a small crack.
Old boats lose strength over
time, especially if stored in the
sun. Even if a boat hasn’t paddled
extensively, its age could be
an issue, so ask when it was
originally purchased and where
it’s been stored. A popular design
could have been in production for
10 years. A well-used boat isn’t
necessarily a “don’t buy”—it’s just
a question of price and value.
Lastly, when you buy one,
make sure to check that all the
grab loops are securely attached.
In the event of a pin, it could be
a lifesaver. And while you’re at it,
as you’re setting up your outfit-
ting, be sure to tighten all your
seat bolts.

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