What Boat to take to Austria?

[nick 16]

This summer I'm going paddling in Austria and will be paddling around Landeck and I was wondering if there are many real disadvantages in taking a displacement hulled creekboat such as a Nomad/Jefe/Shiva over a semi planing river runner like an Everest/Mamba/Diesel on big volume white water?

Nick

[Dr Robin]

No.

This question comes up now and then, search the forum. Some people say that displacement hull creekers are better on rocky rivers and waterfalls, but I think it mainly comes down to personal preference.

[clarky999]

I had a Nomad out there last summer, was fine. To be honest, for most of the 'classic' sections (Landeck Gorge, Lower Oetz etc) I would rather have had a playboat (or at least something that surfs well, Loki or Axiom would be ace!). On that sort of big bouncy water you don't really need a creeker, and there are lots of waves to surf and mess about on. Depends on what sort of paddling you are after though, there are plenty of steeper sections too where a big boat is definitely advisable.

[mark Hirst]

Hi Nick

To be honest the classic rivers around landeck were all successfully first paddled around the 70s. Can you imagine what the boat designs and technology was like then??.

In my opinion us Brits spend way to much time and money worrying about what kit to use when and where. shivas, everest,burn jefe are all fine.To be honest can we really tell the difference that much.

My Best piece of advice would be stop worrying about the small details and enjoy your boating
have a good time
enjoy Mark

[nick 16]

To be honest I am in the frame of mind that the boat I'm taking is probably going to be overkill for what I need as I'm currently paddling a large Shiva. It was a comment from a friend that popped the question in my mind as he said I'll probably be wanting to take a flat hulled boat out there and I thought, why?

[Sickboy]

I had a Nomad out there last summer, was fine. To be honest, for most of the 'classic' sections (Landeck Gorge, Lower Oetz etc) I would rather have had a playboat (or at least something that surfs well, Loki or Axiom would be ace!). On that sort of big bouncy water you don't really need a creeker, and there are lots of waves to surf and mess about on. Depends on what sort of paddling you are after though, there are plenty of steeper sections too where a big boat is definitely advisable.

This was my thinking, for the classic sections I'll probably enjoy them more in the Molan than a burn, and if anything needs portaging then at least I'll be humping around a lite boat.. Planning to run a few of the easier classics in Germany and Austria on the way down to Slovenia at the end of June, can't wait.

[clarky999]

To be honest I am in the frame of mind that the boat I'm taking is probably going to be overkill for what I need as I'm currently paddling a large Shiva. It was a comment from a friend that popped the question in my mind as he said I'll probably be wanting to take a flat hulled boat out there and I thought, why?

Surfing?

[nick 16]

Surfing?

Ye there is that though I may be too busy sh*ting myself to be doing that there's speak that this years going to be a monster with all that snowpack!

[Simon Westgarth]

A standard river runner like a Burn or Mamba is sufficient for all the runs. A play boat on the Venter Ache may not be advisable, it depends on what you wish to paddle. Interestingly enough I have heard that the like is a pretty good big volume boat, the narrower footprint in the bow means it sits lower in the water and is best prone to being pushed around, which is it might be the opposite for low volume creeking.

[TomOL]

I took a Nomad out last summer and the only time I truly felt the advantage was on the VenterAche. Most of the group were paddling fleet boats (such as InaZones and GTX style designs) and a few of us had larger volume displacement designs.

[clarky999]

After getting spanked by the Venter (in pretty high water) in my Nomad, I definitely wouldn't want to be getting on it in a play boat!

[clarky999]

Surfing?

Ye there is that though I may be too busy sh*ting myself to be doing that there's speak that this years going to be a monster with all that snowpack!

Ooh yeah, still 4 metres (of heavy dense consolidated snow) in the Arlberg! This would be great at any point in the winter season, but unheard of at this point in the year (ski lifts have already closed there).

Of course there's no guarantee what the weather will do from now, loads of snow could get washed away if it rains solidly for a month, or it could stay cold for ages keeping the snow locked up high.

I reckon we're in for a pretty good summer though!

[Andrew Battye]

Whichever boat you bring you're going to be moaning that you should have broat the other one all week :P

[whitedescents]

Maybe I can help you guys out, check out the new company White Descents. It offers a transfer service for kayakers including use of a range of top boats and equipment. That way you can paddle a suitable boat for whichever section of river you want to paddle, be it something steep and creeky or a big play wave on the Inn.
Check out www.whitedescents.com

[Steve Brooks]

If you are looking at running some the higher altitude rivers such as: Upper Rosanna, Lech Gorges, Venter Ache or are heading into the Ardez in the Engadine then you will be looking at something with a bit of volume. I paddle a Diesel on pretty much any of the above rivers and have something smaller for the standard sections of the Inn.
If you need any help or advice just get in touch.
River levels you can check out here: http://www.gokayaking.at/River-Levels.html