New River Boat

This popped up on the Jax board and it looks kinda interesting. Kinda sorta blending SOT/toon/drift boat. Could be nice down here mainly for the stable standing and raised seated positions. Looks like it'd be great to bump down the Clackamas (well, at least some of it)





http://drewgregory.com/go/2010/08/drews-signature-kayak-the-coosa-by-jackson-kayak/

But he should have called it the Goosa?    
                                     

I paddled it at the outdoor retail show a couple of weeks ago. The only real difference between it and every other boat is that it has some bow rocker. it will handle moving water in river a little better than most, but it's still super low performance like 99% of all SOT's.

I also paddled the new Necky "high performance" SOT they've been talking about for a year or so. It is just as short and wide as all the other SOT's, but it does respond to edging a little better than most. I didn't really think anything about it was high performance....it just says Necky instead of Ocean Kayak.

The idea was in the right place, but I think they realized if they built a true HP SOT, they would probably only sell one.....to me.

I agree w/ Nanook, I really don't see what makes this a river yak. Stability is one thing but tons of yaks are stable and wouldn't be considered river yaks. I'd expect an extreme upswept bow and stern like a drift boat mixed with the shape of a whitewater yak.

Something like this?




And if they wanted an anchor system, I think they could do better than a notch and a pad eye.

Z

Get rid of the F'in Keel!
Increase the nose and tail rocker
Blunt both ends
13'6" long
32" wide
Reinforced tail with kept nuts for mounting an anchor arm
Hinged arm on the bow for deploying and retrieving a drift anchor
Keep the seat design
Add narrow thigh straps that retract when not in use
Oh yeah, and get rid of the F'in keel!!!

-Spot-

Get rid of the F'in Keel!

No doubt. Every time I see someone getting pulled around by the current because of it just makes me cringe.

Z

Every time I see one of these SOTs supposedly designed for a river, I appreciate my Native Ultimate 12 that much more.
The only disadvantage with the U-12 that i can see is that it is a SIK/low-profile canoe hybrid, and is difficult to bail and re-enter if swamped.  I never get that much water in mine, though, and a half gallon poly milk jug works great, along with my sponge or rag.

Other than that, i think it is a superior craft for any slower moving (non-whitewater) river over any SOT I've seen so far. Dang U-12 turns on a dime with little effort when the skeg is up. I can't fall out of it or capsize it when seated unless I try, and then it takes some effort. I slalom around deadheads, logs, rocks, pilings, etc with ease. Boat never feels like its fighting my efforts. Tracks nicely with the skeg down, but is a little harder to turn.  Retractable skegs rule!

Nothing like being able to stand and paddle or cast, too. Great for stretching the legs. In fact, I like this boat so much that I'd love to be a "team rider" for Native Watercraft. Sheeeet, peoples, me thinks I frickin' drank the koolaide!



I'm thinking of getting either another U-12 (maybe the lightweight "tegris" version) or a U-14.5.
But I'm waiting to see what new lightweight models are offered, or looking for a used one.

So you guys are saying that this is a big goosa egg? 



<sorry> 

I agree w/ Nanook,
Z

what?

I agree w/ Nanook,
Z

what?

I know, right?  

How can that be a "River" kayak with the high seating position?  I don't care how wide it is it is still going to roll!

ya kno, i've thot about rigging a Nucanoe as a surrogate drifter.. think it would work better than that high n mighty throned tunnel hull....

then again, CHM's U12 is pretty good as is too.

I agree w/ Nanook,
Z

what?

I know, right?  

I'm going to remember this. Feels kinda nice!

J

ya kno, i've thot about rigging a Nucanoe as a surrogate drifter.. think it would work better than that high n mighty throned tunnel hull....

then again, CHM's U12 is pretty good as is too.

I've thought that a Nucanoe might be good for the lower rivers and tidal creeks, especially if one wanted to use a stern mounted trolling motor. I've never tried paddling one or been in one, though.

I actually wouldn't mind giving that Jackson "Goosa" a try.

I agree w/ Nanook,
Z

what?

I know, right?  

I'm going to remember this. Feels kinda nice!

J

It's all love.

Z

I've thought that a Nucanoe might be good for the lower rivers and tidal creeks, especially if one wanted to use a stern mounted trolling motor. I've never tried paddling one or been in one, though.

seem to recall a few months back that we had a similar discussion and a liquid logic model called the remix came up.. maybe thats a pic of it under the drifter Z posted? i could never find out if they made a 12 foot model, cause they never responded to my email.

NuCanoe's website shows one rigged drift style, and they even have an oared rowing package option, so it's plausible that they've listened to their clients. but it would have to be the 12 ft model for two people cause that one specs out @575lb cpy. 10 footer i'd thnk about solo rigging. might be a good test area out by CHM for one.

minn kota makes a great salt water trolling motor kit that stern mounts for another $600 on top of the cost of the plastic barge. by the time ya finish outfittin the sainted thing, you could make a nice down payment on a nice used clacka craft.

then again, if i truly had the skills to do it, Pisco's Wherry would be a great choice, too. and weigh 30-40lbs less!!

btw, where are the links we'd put up before on mini drifters? i can't find them anywhere....

I think I posted this one WR.


Looks like it handles well in conditions we'd never come close to running. (1:10)


NuCanoes lack of scupper holes makes it plain scary for rivers.

Z