Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Canoeing and Watersports => Topic started by: sparkosone on March 07, 2010

Title: which kayak
Post by: sparkosone on March 07, 2010
im about to buy a kayak in the next few weeks, i need some help deciding. i already own an open canoe, but now want a kayak. im looking for a river runner that can be used for a lil play, and perhaps be used on strangford lough tho i have the open canoe for that, i only use the open canoe for tandem as its a discovery 174 so a bit big for solo use. ive been looking at dagger gtx, pyranha inazone, dagger juice, and dagger g-ride . anyone that owns these id like to hear ur reviews or a review of any kayak that u rate good thanks... Mark ;D
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: RedLeader on March 08, 2010
Can't help with a kayakunfortunately - I bought myself one second hand which turned out to be fairly inappropriate. I have an open canoe too though - we've been talking about a Salt Island trip for ages - we'll hopefully be doing that soon.
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: Damp Colin on March 09, 2010
Hi spark i have two of the kayaks you mentioned the dagger gtx and the dagger g ride. The gtx is a great river runner very stable with plenty of potential for surfing waves on weirs or the ocean.
The G ride is a river runner/playboat great for the beginner who wants a bit more than just shooting rivers.
I would use my gtx for long river run's which have plenty of white water and the g ride if i wanted a bit of park and play i.e the weirs at shaws bridge, Jackson Sport are doing a great deal on their G rides at the mo.
I would go for the gtx if your wanting to do white water rivers as its more stable and flatter, hope this helps

Colin
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: sparkosone on March 11, 2010
 ??? na doesnt help mate lol u just made it worse lol, now i want both those r the exact two boats ive narrowed it down to ! i want to river run and play. i guess its hard to have an all rounder thats good at it all. im swaying towards the g ride cos its cheaper (450) i was in jackson sport last week, and u can play in it and run rivers, i dont think gtx would be as playful.   i fancy a bit of play at shaws bridge and want to run the likes of annacloy/kilmore which is pretty narrow.  the gtx is £525 and £625 with white water outfitting i think. so for my needs, which one u think then colin and do u have a favourite. if i had the loot id have both and an ocean kayak but for now it will be just the one. ;D cheers
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: Damp Colin on March 12, 2010
My favourite is the G ride only because you get more fun out of it. I bought it for the summer when there wont be as much water in the rivers which rules out the good ones like the Annacloy, Burb etc. If you dont mind putting a bit more effort into your paddling and your confident enough then the G rides your boat. I use my GTX on big rivers in the winter when pushing through stoppers would be my main concern.
If you buy it give me a shout and we could park and play at Shaws sometime to test it out  ;D
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: sparkosone on March 12, 2010
 ;D no probs colin thanks for ur help ill keep u posted, cheers, u too j 8)
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: sparkosone on March 19, 2010
wheres the burb seen someone else mention it too? ???
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: Damp Colin on March 19, 2010
The Benburb is on the Bann just before Dungannon, great stretch of river with some awesome weirs and great scenery  ;D
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: Damp Colin on March 19, 2010
Heres a few pic's of the burb when we paddled it at xmas



(http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/Colinbkc/Benburb/2009_1223Benburb0025.jpg)



(http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/Colinbkc/Benburb/2009_1223Benburb0024.jpg)



(http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/Colinbkc/More%20burb%20pictures/GetAttachment33.jpg)



(http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/Colinbkc/More%20burb%20pictures/GetAttachment24.jpg)



(http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/Colinbkc/More%20burb%20pictures/GetAttachment2.jpg)



(http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/Colinbkc/Benburb/2009_1223Benburb0023.jpg)



(http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/Colinbkc/Benburb/2009_1223Benburb0022.jpg)






(http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/Colinbkc/Benburb/2009_1223Benburb0021.jpg)




(http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/Colinbkc/Benburb/2009_1223Benburb0013.jpg)



(http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/Colinbkc/Benburb/2009_1223Benburb0012.jpg)



(http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/Colinbkc/Benburb/2009_1223Benburb0007.jpg)



(http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/Colinbkc/Benburb/2009_1223Benburb0006.jpg)
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: sparkosone on March 19, 2010
aha benburb,  great pics mate thats the type of water i wanna hit when i have the experience. i take it thats where u would prefer the gtx on that type of water?
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: Damp Colin on March 19, 2010
I'm the one with the orange helmet took the other pic's. Yea when the water levels like that or higher i'd use my GTX, any lower and i'd take my G ride and have a wee play on a weir or two  ;D
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: sparkosone on March 21, 2010
Wud the gtx be suitable for the odd trip around strangford lough does it stay in a reasonably straight line? I'm thinking more towards gtx now as I fancy river running and the odd trip about strangford
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: Damp Colin on March 21, 2010
The GTX would be better in a straight line and take less effort plus you would be able to store a few more essentials in it for the odd trip or two.
If you do decide on the GTX get the river runner spec costs that wee bit more but well worth it.
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: lowa on March 22, 2010
The Benburb is on the Bann just before Dungannon, great stretch of river with some awesome weirs and great scenery  ;D

The burb is on the Blackwater at benburb not the Bann
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: Damp Colin on March 22, 2010
Opp's I stand corrected :-0
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: Jussy on March 24, 2010
im about to buy a kayak in the next few weeks, i need some help deciding. i already own an open canoe, but now want a kayak. im looking for a river runner that can be used for a lil play, and perhaps be used on strangford lough tho i have the open canoe for that, i only use the open canoe for tandem as its a discovery 174 so a bit big for solo use. ive been looking at dagger gtx, pyranha inazone, dagger juice, and dagger g-ride . anyone that owns these id like to hear ur reviews or a review of any kayak that u rate good thanks... Mark ;D

Hello. I recently got a Dagger Blackwater and its a great job. I have only used it on Strangford Lough and it suits perfectly.
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: sparkosone on March 27, 2010
Thanks jussy had a look at the blackwater too, it seems well suited for strangford lough, think I'm goin for the gtx tho as it will mainly be river use ;D u been out lately in it?
Title: Re: which kayak
Post by: Jussy on March 28, 2010
Aye we try to get out most weekends just depending on work. if you are ever thinking of heading out give me a shout and we can meet up.