Hybrid Boat Testing

by Wayner

The Dagger Approach, LiquidLogic ReMix XP and Pyranha Fusion

When I started paddling a kayak, I had a lake boat, playboat, river runner, creek boat and racing boat. They were called a Perception Mirage. One boat did it all. Now with so many categories of boats and vast number of designs it’s often hard to imagine one boat doing it all. Four years ago, Pyranha produced the Master TG, a whitewater boat with a built in skeg that became a huge success in Great Britain but never caught on in the US. When Dagger released the Approach 2 years ago, it was an attempt to combine the relative speed and stability of a recreational kayak with the sporty feel of a whitewater boat. The concept and design was a huge success, so much so boat Liquid Logic and Pyranha launched similar boats for 2009.

Each of these boats features a built in, drop-down skeg for ease and speed on the lake. Lift the skeg into the hull and you have a formidable river runner, comfortable in Class II+ whitewater. Though many of us have enjoyed paddling these boats on Class IV-V runs, they are not really built for rivers that offer more than the occasional Class III rapid. However, with the hatch in the back and solid outfitting, I think we’ll be seeing several people doing expedition trips in both the ReMix XP and Fusion.

Although these boats are of the same character, the designs were fairly different in many ways including performance, outfitting, price and other factors. We wanted to assemble a diverse team to help sort through all of the features and determine the advantages and disadvantages of each design. There are smaller versions of the Dagger and Liquid Logic designs which would work well for smaller paddlers, but to keep the test fair we used only the 10-foot-long models.

We began testing the Hybrids on Fontana Lake.

Outfitting
The Approach offered the most spartan outfitting, with a large cockpit that made entry and exit easy on the paddlers but offered less control. For the novice paddler, especially someone that has the sense of feeling trapped in a closed cockpit boat, this was a real bonus. Some of our intermediate paddlers however, felt it lacked a fit that gave them the control they were used to. The Fusion offered high end whitewater outfitting that was very comfortable to most testers and offered a better sense of control than the Approach. Our biggest tester—at 6 feet tall and190 pounds—felt a little cramped in the boat. The ReMix won the comfortable outfitting award but felt like a “bathtub,” swallowing up some of the smaller testers (lucky for them the 9-foot version is available).

Confidence on the Lake
All of the boats inspired confidence on the lake offering a good combination of stability, tracking and maneuverability. Both the Approach and ReMix offered excellent primary and secondary stability, a welcome feature for novice paddlers. The Fusion is narrower than than the other two boats, yet it offered good all-around stability, even for the novices.

Going Straight
Most lake paddling is spent going straight ahead, so we wanted to see how each of our boats performed while paddling in a straight line, first with the skeg up and then with the skeg down.

With the skeg up, the ReMix was the overall favorite and easiest to paddle in a straight line. Some of our more-advanced whitewater boaters felt that the Fusion was easiest to control. One paddler commented on the weight of the ReMix and that it seemed more difficult to get up to speed.

With the skeg, down the favorite was the Fusion. All of the paddlers commented on how much faster the design was than the other boats and it was dubbed the “bullet” by the group.

Hands down, all of our testers felt that raising or lowering the skeg was most easily done with the ReMix’s lever action rather than the ropes and cleats of the other two boats. The lever action took some of the guesswork out of trying to determine whether the skeg was up or down.

After assessing the boats strengths and weaknesses on the lake, we decided to take them to a local class I-II section of the scenic Little Tennessee River to see how they performed on moving water.

Phase II: Fun on the Little Tennessee River

Downriver Action
We paddled downriver and enjoyed the confidence that these boats provided on the smaller rapids of the “Little T.” All of the boats were easy to control in Class I rapids and as well as the Class II rapid at the end of our trip.

On our way, we did a few ferries, eddy turns and peel-outs to see how the boats performed moving across the current. Lindsey, our most novice paddler preferred the ReMix on the lake, but her favorite boat on the river was the Approach, feeling that it was easier to maneuver. Lisa and I both enjoyed the Fusion the most on the river, probably because of its maneuverability and it paddled most similarly to whitewater kayaks.

Ben T. hits some wave action.

We managed to find a few waves to surf, and Ben even hit some spins in the Fusion. We felt that all of the boats were capable of surfing small waves on the river. We imagined they would also be fun surfing ocean waves! Overall, each of the boats performed well on the lake and river exhibiting a variety of performance characteristics. After our day of paddling and testing, it was time to ask the all important question…

Which boat would you buy?

Ben T. — ReMix XP
Ben W. — Fusion
Lindsey — ReMix XP
Lisa — Fusion
Wayner — Fusion

Another thing to consider is the weight of each boat, especially if you paddle alone. Below are manufacturer’s listed weight for each boat, from lightest to heaviest:
Dagger Approach — 37 pounds
Pyranha Fusion — 45 pounds
Liquid Logic Remix XP-10 — 49 pounds

Price is also a consideration for many paddlers. Here’s the retail price from least to most expensives. In general, they are more expensive than a recreational kayak but cheaper than a whitewater boat.
Dagger Approach — $749
Pyranha Fusion — $899
Liquid Logic Remix XP-10 — $979

Although each of us had our favorite on the lake and river, we thoroughly enjoyed paddling all of these boats. We're sure these boats won’t show up on the latest extreme kayaking videos (probably), but they all offer most paddlers many days of fun and confidence on the water.

Hybrid testers Lisa, Ben T. and Lindsey.

Thanks to our testers Lisa Watkins, Ben Thorpe, Lindsey Thorpe and Ben Wiggins (not pictured) that gave up a beautiful Sunday afternoon to help us put these boats through the rigorous testing process!

Each boat is available at NOC's online Outfitter's Store, NOC Direct:
Dagger Approach
Liquid Logid ReMix XP-10
Pyranha Fusion

Outfitter's Store Staff Workout: Nantahala Attainments

For fun and fitness, many NOC staff members paddle attainments on the Nantahala River on lunch break, or after hours. Doing "attainments" means paddling upstream from eddy to eddy, and like riding a bike uphill, paddling upstream is harder than floating downstream. Attainment workouts are good for both strength and overall fitness, and are especially popular among NOC staff in the winter since you can stay pretty dry, and your constant exertion keeps you warm.

In this video, NOC's retail director (and Olympic paddling coach) Chris Hipgrave demonstrates the attainment workout, beginning from the Founder's Bridge (near River's End Restaurant) all the way upstream to Nantahala Falls. Disclaimer: unless you're really interested in paddling, you may not find this very stimulating! You'll see that the workout involves navigating paths of the least resistance, and even a few up-river boofs.



This is why the staff of NOC's Outfitter's Store are known for their expertise and their passion for play. They've worn every shoe on the shelf, packed and assembled every tent we sell and paddled every boat in stock, even some of them upstream!

Set Yourself Up with a Yakima Base Rack System

June is a great time to outfit your ride, because you'll get $30 back when you purchase a Yakima Base Rack System at NOC!

Yakima is the first name in automobile rack systems, having perfected "Destination Hardware" over their 20 years in business. Much more than two-by-fours and some brackets, Yakima systems help you securely haul gear for almost any outdoor activity, without looking like the Clampetts.

Purchasing a base system sets you up for any adventure sport. A combined purchase of towers and crossbars before June 30 qualifies you to get $30 back from Yakima. From that base, you can add any number of equipment-specific attachments (our favorite is the Hull Raiser) for secure storage/transportation of your most prized possessions.

Visit NOC's Outfitter's Store today, on the banks of the Nantahala or online. Our helpful staff can walk you through choosing the right base rack system for your vehicle and equipment needs.

Keen Visits NOC

Jeff Weathersbee, our rep from Keen paid a visit yesterday to talk about new Keen footwear, and some very helpful trivia about rubber-soled shoes. In fact, did you know that sturdy Vibram soles are made by a family-owned Italian company that got its start with the help of their friends, the Pirelli's (think tires)?



Whatever the origin of rubber soles, Keen shoes are their apotheosis, with incredible form and fashion. They're also available at NOC! A great new item this year is the Roatan water shoe for women. It's lightweight, drains water and comes in a cute but secure ballet flat!



Our education continued with other items like the Vibram Five Fingers, a shoe engineered to simulate barefoot walking.



The Outfitter's Store staff also modeled new sunglasses by Native. I mean, how stylish do these guys look? The white pair got props for having a tortoise-shell inner.



Finally, we all got to brag about our beloved Marmot Precip Jackets. This is one of the only waterproof, lightweight and breathable rain jackets on the market under $100. As anyone at NOC and they've most likely got a well-loved Precip.


Stop in NOC's Outfitter's Store and learn more about any of these products, and thanks to Jeff for the great info!

Gear Review: Women's Apparel by Patagonia

I'll be honest. I'm a slave for Patagonia. Below, you'll find an unsolicited review of their best spring items, now available at NOC's Outfitter's Store. I must say that the fact that I can ride my bike to a place that carries Patagonia makes up for the fact that I'm 90 minutes away from the nearest sushi joint.

Let's begin front and center with the MORNING GLORY HALTER TOP & DRESS. The top is a favorite of yoga types, and it’s easy to understand why: secure comfort without ties or fasteners. Stretchy fabric forms to your body to keep everything in place no matter what activity you’re into at the moment. Falling at the hip, this top just as easily pairs with jeans for less technical outings, like shopping the funky boutiques in downtown Asheville. The dress has been an Outfitter’s Store best seller for two years running.


Pictured at the bottom right of the above frame, you'll see the KAMALA SKIRT, in the softest, breeziest cotton you've ever imagined and engineered to pull double duty as a skirt or dress. For a post-paddling cervecita at The Pourover, pull on the skirt for low-slung comfort and style. Pulled up as a bandeau or halter dress, the Kamala is really working out for me as a cool frock for dance classes. Length is still modest when worn as a dress. The economy is making versatility a necessity, and thankfully, the Kamala's got it.


I’m a professed foe of the pedal pusher. Instead, I frequently find myself nerd-ily rolling up my pantcuffs. Enter a solution; the SUPER-CALI SHORTS. A perfect length, the shorts are low slung and roomy. While they contain adventure clothing bells and whistles, they refrain from broadcasting my membership in the “I’m Outdoorsy” club. The Super-Calis are great for photo day on the Cheoah River, where photogs like myself bike ride a Class IV road beside a Class V river, in between bursts of kudzu dodging and photo snapping.


Finally, let's take a look at my favorite item, the BHANDA DRESS. It’s almost as if Patagonia designed this dress specifically for me—a gem that every active woman (or any woman who doesn’t like to fuss too much over clothes) should own. Going to the Biltmore Estate Winery? Get your Bhanda Dress. You can even stuff it in a backpack and pull it out, prêt-a-porter with ZERO wrinkles. It’s amazing. The nice long line adds length, and the gathered, twisted bodice flatters almost any shape.

Also available in the Outfitter’s Store from Patagonia: sport-friendly undergarments, Capilene base layers, Baggies shorts and men’s favorite items.

Got Protection?

No, not that kind of protection ... this kind



Foot protection!

It’s that time of year when winter has faded away and the rivers are filling up with excited kayak, canoe and raft paddlers again. It’s time for you to enjoy the thrill of the whitewater rapids. Hopefully you have been schooled on the importance of the essentials for paddling: boat, paddle, helmet, personal floatation device and sprayskirt (for kayakers). I would like to add another river essential, for your own personal safety and comfort, proper footwear.

Studies and river stories have shown that the place where many injuries occur is on shore while either scouting or running down the river back to help rescue someone or something. It is also essential to have proper footwear when you encounter an “out of the boat experience” yourself and have to perform your own rescue. One of the best ways you can prevent injuries in these situations is to wear sturdy but comfortable booties or other supportive footwear designed for watersports.

To help you better protect yourself from injury and provide for a more comfortable trip down the river, we looked at several good options for your feet. We have chosen the best models for kayakers, canoeists and rafters. The footwear was tested in various boats on the Nantahala Outdoor Center’s local rivers such as the Nantahala River, Ocoee River, Chattooga River, Cheoah River, Pigeon River, Nolichucky River and French Broad River. Because there is footwear for a broad range of paddlers, I will give my overall impression of each one then include information about their best specific use(s).


Teva Sling King


This is a very comfortable yet stable low top booty that provides good contact with rocks and reduces the slippery feel that other footwear might not provide. This booty works equally well in a playboat (best in that category) or river runner. It is light weight and even though it doesn’t have drainage in the sole, this booty doesn’t fill up and make it feel like you’re standing in water all the time. The Sling King works well in most kayak applications but I like a stiffer sole when paddling a canoe. These will work well for c-boaters that don’t use toe blocks.

Teva Cherry Bomb


If you don’t see the booty, here’s a hint: they come in stylish camo. This high top booty from Teva is very stable and supportive for the active creeker and river runner who enjoys extra support when scouting rapids or setting up safety. The Velcro top helps keep water out which is helpful since these booties don’t have drainage in the sole. Personally, I’d prefer not have drainage in a booty rather than one that lets grit and sand get between my foot and the comfortable sole (as has happened with some other booties). An added bonus feature of the Cherry Bomb is that it has thicker neoprene than the other booties which makes it nice on cold rivers or for winter paddling. Although the booties worked OK for a few minutes in my AllStar (I have size 12 feet by the way), they seemed a little too bulky for an extended session of playing. The Cherry Bomb did work well in a canoe with and without toe blocks.

NRS Attack


The NRS Attack provided the best traction of any of the booties that I tested. They were very stable and supportive while offering very good grip on just about any surface I could find. Surprisingly they were the easiest booty to put on and take off with a quick latch buckle which offers rapid access while providing solid support. The Attack also has the best drainage system that allows water to run out quickly without letting in sand and grit. That’s a big plus in my book. Although they work fine in a playboat, they are a little big and stiff for a full day of playboating (for my taste) but were my favorite booty for river running and creeking. In a c-boat, they were also my favorite booty and were comfortable with or without toe blocks.

Keen Payette


The Keen Payette has been a favorite of NOC instructors over the past two years and was my booty of choice last year. It offers solid support and is incredibly comfortable. I like the fact that if I get them large enough, not only will they fit well over drysuit socks but the also have the adjustability to give solid support and be comfortable without an inner sock in the same size booty. Although all of the straps give a really solid, stable feel, the top strap has aggravated me enough to cut it off because the Velcro was sticking to everything in sight. I guess if you’re a little more careful, you may want to keep the top strap but I think the booties are very secure without the top strap (it’s hard for most people to “modify” brand new gear). One added bonus of the Payette is they offer exceptionally good drainage so you’re not standing in water after getting out of the river. These booties excelled in comfort and usability in every boat. I was most surprised that they fit easily into the playboat and yet still worked well in c-boats (with and without toe blocks). If you paddle a lot of different boats, this is one booty that can do it all.

Salomon Techamphibian 2


Although not technically a booty, I’ve fallen in love with this impressive footwear for water and land. Offering solid traction on all surfaces, the Techamphibian 2 gives good support when worn as a shoe. For colder water or weather, you can add a set of Neo Socks (shown on the left foot in the photo) for a booty feel offering a comfortable and versatile combo. This is the top choice of our raft guides because they drain quickly and offer good protection from rocks and other river hazards. If you are rafting with NOC, this is an excellent choice since you can take them home to enjoy other activities as well. For boaters, these just won’t fit into a playboat and may even be a little tight in some of the river runners but work well in higher volume river running boats and creek boats. If you wear the Neo Socks, you can clip these into the back of your boat but remember if you need to hop out for a quick rescue (or swim), you’ll only be wearing the neoprene sock that doesn’t have good protection or traction. I was surprised that the Techamphibian was one of my top two favorite picks for an open canoe with or without toe blocks. If you’re going on a multi-day trip such as the Grand Canyon, these would be hands down the footwear of choice giving you one shoe that does it all and does it with support and comfort.

I have used the Techamphibian 2 for boating, hiking, biking (no clipless pedals) tromping around in creeks and hanging around at the house. I’m even wearing them as I type this blog entry because they have become my daily shoe choice. They will even function as a sandal by stepping into the back of the shoe. Unlike other shoes, the back comes right back into place and gives good support for your next boating or hiking trip.



All of the footwear that I tested provided exceptional comfort, stability and protection. To help you get started in finding the best one for your style of boating, here are my top picks in each category:
Playboat - Teva Sling King
River Runner / Canoe - NRS Attack
Creeking - Teva Cherry Bomb, NRS Attack (tie)
Overall Winner (hard boats) - Keen Payette
Raft / Multi-sport - Salomon Techamphibian 2

Now get out there and enjoy some big boomin’ fun on the river and remember to protect your feet!

For more info or to order any of the above booties, plus many more,
call the NOC Outfitter's Store at 800-367-3521

Happy Bike to Work Day!

Did you see these cyclists on your morning commute?


For some of these champs, every day is bike to work day. But today, the Outfitter's Store crew got together to celebrate Bike to Work Day (part of National Bike Month).

Thanks Rob, Chris, Melanie, Ernst, Ben, Lindsey and Leigh!