Dagger MX 8.5 Review

[garyash]

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post, but I couldnt think of a section for which It was better suited.

I've been looking at lots of different creek/river runners and I think I have settled on the Dagger MX 8.5.
its basically the old mamba hull, with GTX outfitting. the outfitting is a downgrade, but this is reflected in the price, which a big thumbs up for me. any thoughts about this boat? anyone think its a terrible idea?

thoughts here please, any advice and help appreciated.

[garyash]

anyone? _

[peteri]

Not heard of it/seen one - but checked the Dagger website, here's my thoughts.

Summary - my advice avoid!

Old Mamba was a very, very popular boat for a reason. I have one of the new Mamba's and I love it.

WWTCC have it for £539, that's a great hull for the price.

BUT

The outfitting would seriously put me off, particularly the fixed seat - if the boat isn't trimmed the way you like it, or you just can't fit - you're stuck. This will also seriously affect the resale value.

If you can stretch to it I'd say a new Mamba with a river seat, better hull and much, much better outfitting - £764, I know that's two hundred quid more.

If you can't stretch - consider the Pyranha Karnali, you can get the connect 30 outfitting for £594 - and there's much, much more adjustment there. Never heard someone say a bad thing about that boat

But if you're starting out, used would open a whole world at that price point - Burns, Jackson Hero's etc go for that price or less, or even get an old Mamba - with the new one out the used value will have dropped and you'll get the same hull - but again with better outfitting for less.

[Green.media]

If your considering paddeling White water in it you will want the proper outfitting, propper grab loops, solid foot plate, save your penny's and go for the proper thing, We don't all drive round with bald tyres on our cars, no airbags and no brake fluid in the brakes to save on the initial cost!

A second hand old shape mamba on here should come up for about 300-550 depending on the condition.

Cheers
Rich

[garyash]

thanks for the comments guys, taken on board.

I currently have access to a palm/dagger trade account, so I can get dagger boats at an even lower price, like roughly 30% off retail price. In regards to the outfitting, ive used gtx's before and am accustomed to the less than average outfitting, and I have found that with the bag of pads they give you, you can do a pretty good job at customising it. the seat that doesnt move, I thought would be a good thing, ive heard of river seats moving when u dont want them to, in steep creeking etc. and u can move it to one of 3 settings, a bit of customising I guess is better than none. I think I was mainly attracted by the fact that its an old mamba hull, and Ive never heard a bad thing about mambas, everyone loves them, and at that price I was like.....how could it be bad....but maybe im missing out without the better outfitting?.....hmmm......what to do.....

[peteri]

Honestly - if someone gets the river seat to move, they've not done something up.

Dagger river seat has a bolt front and back, with a big nut on top - utterly can't see how that can move.

Creek seat (which I have) - is even harder.

If you can get that discount, get a new Mamba and have done with it.

There is a reason people are prepared to pay for better outfitting

Pete

[garyash]

cheers pete, appreciate your thoughts. just dont think I can stretch the budget that far, im also in the market for a paddle (been borrowing so far) pfd and spraydeck....not to mention everything else that ill need to pick up. so far I figured, my choice is basically a new mamba (with crap outfitting) or a used something else (with better outfitting) dont know the answer yet.

[peteri]

Honestly - and this is my final bit of advice :)

If you're just starting out - so you're at the stage you don't have a paddle etc.

Buy used - what you look for in a boat is going to change so much as you develop, you'll develop your own tastes, will look for certain things in a boat that others don't etc. For example - my daughter and I started exactly the same time, for river running/creeking - she loves a displacement hull, I do not have words for how much I don't like them!

Also, your points about 'seat moving in steep creeking' - you're a way off that.

Get used, and get on the water - whatever you get now you'll likely not have in a year, so minimise the depreciation - get a decent used boat with a good resale and you'll likely lose next to nothing for a years paddling, get a new boat that is known as a budget boat - and you'll likely lose a significant chunk more, you can see this across the board, regardless of make.

Decent paddles aren't cheap but will make an amazing difference to your boating, get a nice set of blades, a decent used (say) Mamba - river running fitting, these will stand you easily up to grade 4 and you'll be able to sell the boat for little loss

Pete

[Jwprobinson]

Can I add!

MX has full spec grab handles, a full plate footrest and every other safety feature that dagger boats usually have. It is the OLD mamba hull and the only exceptions are as follows:

- Unmovable seat - simply demo on flat before purchase to check weight balance and trim
- Foam pillar instead of plastic - makes no real difference to boat folding scenerios, LL use foam in all there boats.
- No Hips pads - you can buy them for £40 before discount - Dagger ones are easy to fix with velcro and straps
- No racthet straps for backband - easy to install for cost or just do the backband up tight before getting in :P

Our club will be buying some and so is a couple of my friends, the most important thing to check is the seat position before purchase!

[garyash]

anyone else got any thoughts or comments?

[garyash]

hey guys, ive been thinking hard about this, and I think ive come to a conclusion.
MX 8.5, big enough for me? yes.
Trim? Ill try one out on some water, to check that the trim will be fine cos I cant move the seat
Outfitting? dagger hip pads for £30, and a ratchet back rest if I decide to do so.
Hull? One of the best, tried and tested hulls that paddlers have loved for years at a great price.

I think ive reached my conclusion. any other info appreciated

[DHES]

Sorry to hijack this thread but I am in a similar predicament
I have put a refundable deposit on a new dagger MX8.5 (£535) but my local centre has offered me a Pyrahna Burn 2nd hand with connect 30 and air bags for £450 should I go with the Burn being better outfitted or is the MX worth the punt?
I have no where to try the MX as the nearest place is over 70 mile away from me.
Thanks in advance
Darren

[Strad]

My view is that the price for the hull is great, as to the outfitting, just grow some bits and put some work in to fit it out. We're spoiled rotten with the amount of adjustment we have in modern boats - most of which can be managed with some careful outfitting instead. The MX still has a bulkhead footrest - just pad the seat and thigh braces as you need to get a good fit.