What Next-Is it me or is it the boat

[sundaykayaker]

If all else fails. Blame the boat
So... I have now been paddling for 8ish years. during this time, have paddled a few boats and my kayaking has improved a bit,
BUT have not found one boat I am happy with.
Is it me or is it the boat, am I getting too picky in my old age.
Started with
Boat 1 - Early days, LL hose, kept being pulled back into stoppers. tail too low. had difficulty in rolling it. Went to the Alps and Swam a lot. however was Comfortable to sit in.
Boat 2 - LL Jefa M, Lovely boat, easy to roll. used mainly in Wales. little or No swims. my paddling improved and kayaked well within my comfort zone. but found it was really uncomfortable. everything hurt, legs back ankles. sold it to get...
Boat 3 - Mamba 8.1, very comfortable, took it to the Alps. enjoyed it on the river. But out of the water it was unbearably heavy. damaged my shoulder carrying it. Had to go...
Boat 4 - Jackson Fun 2009. bought it on a whim, easy to roll. comfortable. only used it on grd 2 water. wish I had not sold it. Made me look good.
Boat 5 - Wake Tuna, Lovely to surf, super stable, ideal for straight river running. found it Just too long by 6" & could not get it to roll consistently and had shit swims on the Durance slalom course. Really comfortable and light. but nothing to hold on to inside the boat when carrying it - really irritating. wanted to love the boat so much but it had to go.
So... What next..
Boats have not tried yet
Jackson Hero, Jackson Zen
Burn 2, Burn 3
Looking for a boat , any advise...

[Mr Hoppy]

Stretching and coaching, the more flexible you are the more comfortable boats become and none of the boats you've listed should have caused issues rolling with good technique.

[stiffy]

Wave Sport Habitat: If you can find one. Super comfy, very stable, easy peasy to roll.

[Richard Gunton]

No boat will be perfect you must learn to deal with its problems. I had a burn it was tail happy now I have a mamba its heavy.

[DaveBland]

Had a proper go in a Nano Yesterday.
The most fun boat I've paddled in, like, everr. On technical mank, there is no other boat worth considering.

So if you are looking for a 'new thing' – paddle steep manky ditches in a short boat*.

*That's totally new and never been done before, right?

[gp.girl]

Had a proper go in a Nano Yesterday.
The most fun boat I've paddled in, like, everr. On technical mank, there is no other boat worth considering.

So if you are looking for a 'new thing' – paddle steep manky ditches in a short boat*.

*That's totally new and never been done before, right?

Adrian is loving his :)

[Bill Maisey]

Sunday, the truth is this way my friend ...

[sundaykayaker]

Ha Ha.. Mr Maisey. Must give Nano a try :)

[Jim]

*That's totally new and never been done before, right?

Not as far as I can tell, but if it takes off, maybe I'll be able to start using my spud again :)

Sunday, clearly you are a play boat paddler not a creek boat paddler - up your game, get something relatively long and old skool (like an inazone or RPM), and just keep doing the same stuff you do now. You do need to paddle frequently though, I used to run the odd 5 rapid in my Glide and my Session+ (and the spud), but I haven't kept on top of it and have to revert to a Burn for that kind of thing these days. I don't really get on with it, but it feels relatively safe :(

Or come over to the dark side (OC1) and get properly used to swimming again.

[Whitey1]

pm'd you Sunday

[sundaykayaker]

My Grandma told me, never start a sentence with "I want..."
She always said ask "It would be nice if..."
But I really do WANT a boat that...
Is FAST ON FLAT WATER.-For the UK, Pool Drop, Flat, pool drop rivers
Which ZIPS in And out of Eddies. Cose I want to Have fun and look good
Is COMFY to sit in. - Cose, I is Old
Is LIGHT & EASY to Carry - Cose I has a bad shoulder and am quite clumsy walking around with a 25kg bit of plastic
Is Easy to roll. Just in case i go over

Now Whitey1 Sent the most interesting PM... Which makes me think Jackson is the way to Go..

BTW.. The Boss has decreed. No more boats.. Or I will have to build a dog house.
SO I WANT a DOG HOUSE. that is (see above list)

[Doyler]

Maybe worth you trying a Raptor, ticks most of those boxes, except the kennel bit......... Pretty sure you can demo at CIWW.

[gp.girl]

BTW.. The Boss has decreed. No more boats.. Or I will have to build a dog house.
SO I WANT a DOG HOUSE. that is (see above list)

Build it big enough for the boat :)

[crb90]

I have swapped from a mamba 8.1 to axiom 8.5 and I am pleased that I did.

As long as you don't want to run lots of steep stuff and don't mind a wetter ride. It's great at my weight c80kgs.

Is FAST ON FLAT WATER.- YES- can't think of many that will be faster.
Which ZIPS in And out of Eddies. Cose I want to Have fun and look good- YES- and the boat looks good too- very sleek.
Is COMFY to sit in. - Cose, I is Old- YES- sat in mine for four hours at the weekend with no issues.
Is LIGHT & EASY to Carry - Cose I has a bad shoulder and am quite clumsy walking around with a 25kg bit of plastic- NO but lighter than most creek boats.
Is Easy to roll. Just in case I go over- YES- about as easy as it gets due to the low back.

See if you can try one- don't write it off as a beginner boat- I didn't like it mind you till I had paddled it a few times as took some getting used to. After a few trips I was happy up to grade 4 as long as it wasn't a series of difficult drops. Perfect for runs like the Orchy.

[davek]

Similar position:

1. Jackson 4Fun - super comfy, absolutely dry, not sure I'd want to paddle down grade 4

2. Pyranha Karnali - nice boat, but could never get completely comfy or keep it dry. Thought it was heavy until I got...

3. Mamba 8.6 - comfy, good to paddle but just way too heavy to carry

Have tried Axiom 8.5, great fun but slightly tail happy at 85kg

BTW what makes you think Jackson is way to go? Have you tried new Zen or Hero?

[Jim]

RPM?

(You don't seem to be describing a creek boat)

Come to think of it, apart from the comfort you have described a slalom boat - and if you spend some time to find the right one, you can even get your comfort box ticked too. Cheapest construction can cost less than a creek boat although it will be a heavyweight at 10kg or maybe a bit over... but that only matters for racing, not for river running right?

[DaveBland]

Looking at your want list, I agree the Axiom may be the answer. But apart from the fast on flat, the Nano does fit the rest of your list.
Otherwise, Zets are fairly light, as are Jacksons. Maybe a Zen? Although the small is small and the medium is huge.

And Jim is right, slalom boats are so much fun. I've rediscovered the joys of zipping around in one of an evening on a nice non-scary G3 course.

[sundaykayaker]

UPDATE
Got a 2nd Hand Hero.
18kg
Comfy to sit in, easy to carry
tried it on moving water. felt good.
Will have to wait till next weekend to try it out on something interesting.

[Neptune]

In a word try a 'Nomad'... fantastic boat, need I say more.

[kayak1]

The trouble is you have too much choice..so you will move from boat to boat..if you stick to one boat, you will get to know its character and things may change with use and time...

[YorkieDave]

2015 Zen with a sweet cheeks, need I say anymore ?