Kayaklife
http://www.rapidmag.com/kayaklife_fiveboats_you’ll_fall_for.php ONLINE PROFILE
Length 8’1” Width 26.75” Volume 77 gal Weight 44 lbs
NAME: LIZ HILL STATS: 5’8”, 165 lbs
BACKGROUND: Raft guide recently turned kayaker (4 years guiding, 1 year kayaking)
LOOKING FOR: Pushing towards becoming a more consistent and solid paddler
HER WORDS: “My first time ever paddling something other than a playboat was during the boat testing. Bring it on!”
NAME: COREY HEWITT STATS: 6’1”, 185 lbs
BACKGROUND: Ottawa Kayak School instructor for the past 12 years, college outdoor program instructor
LOOKING FOR: Adrenaline in the form of big water, technical drops and new rivers
HIS WORDS: “I do like running new rivers but I’m most often in a playboat. I’m a soul boater and a social boater.”
NAME: BRENNA KELLY STATS: 5’5”, 150 lbs
BACKGROUND: Senior instructor and manager for the Ottawa Kayak School
LOOKING FOR: Currently training for a spot on the Canadian Freestyle Team
HER WORDS: “Though I’ve done more playboating in my day, I prefer creeking and challenging myself to stick a line. Anything that makes me think and pumps up my adrenaline, I’m in.”
NAME: DAN CALDWELL STATS: 5’11”, 175 lbs
BACKGROUND: Professional paddler, Rapid kayak review columnist
LOOKING FOR: Preparing to run some BIG water canyons
Online now!
HIS WORDS: “While I love waterfalls, steep creeking and playboating, my heart and soul lie with big water. There is something romantic about giving yourself over to its power.”
SEARCH 34 RAPID SUMMER/FALL 2012
BIG_WATER_BANDIT DAGGER MAMBA 8.1
F
irst launched in 2005, the Mamba resurfaced seven years later with numerous updates. Dagger made the boat bigger—adding extra volume around the knees and in the stern—extended the rail forward, modified the rocker profile and repositioned and added extra security bars for easier carrying and extractions. Dagger team manager Andrew Holcombe explains, “We just tweaked an already good boat.” So can a facelift on an older, more mature boat compete with the young, fresh designs?
FIRST IMPRESSION
Intuitive, easy-to-adjust outfitting with lots of grab and security bars for safety had the testers quickly feeling at ease with the Mamba. We loved the high riding backband, which gives great contact with the boat and a locked-in feel.
FIRST DATE
Hitting the water, the Mamba sits in the middle of the pack in terms of speed but still has plenty of get up and go to move around the river with confidence. The Mamba’s wide, flat hull provides excellent primary stability and feels equally stable when on edge—a great combination for paddling in confused, funky water and across boily eddylines.
The long carving rails help keep you on track, while the moderate rocker with rounded bow and stern ensure enough maneuverability to change course when needed. The pronounced rails mean you’ll have to be especially mindful of your angle to the current so you don’t find yourself unintentionally carving downstream during ferries or ripping off waves while surfing. A small concession to make considering the confidence you’ll gain by having the ability to easily carve out of unfriendly holes.
The Mamba punches holes when you want it to thanks to the narrow, sleek bow. Stay in an aggressive position to avoid water grabbing the stern edges and slowing you down in the backwash.
LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP
The Mamba is best suited for intermediate to advanced paddlers who paddle bigger water and like carving deep into eddies. If you are more into steep, rocky creeks and waterfalls, Dagger’s Nomad will be a better soul mate.
Paddler 150–220 lbs MSRP $1,049
www.dagger.com
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