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EZG is essentially a modern design of the EZ. Funny, I've paddled both boats, and contrary to the description given above, I find the EZ to be the more stable boat for river running and the EZG to be much better for playing than the EZ. Either way, if you're looking that direction, EZG is probably the better pick if money is not a concern, however, you could probably get an EZ much cheaper and it's a great boat.
The good news is, any of the options you listed will work great. The Fun & EZG seem to be the more popular, "tried and true" river running designs compared with the Vision. My personal pick would be the EZG.
I thought I might like an Agent, I liked the project 52. I got in an Agent and a Liquid Logic Ronin (Sorry, can't remember the sizes, seemed appropirate for me) and I struggled. I felt I was in a crunch position ALL THE TIME or it was pearl city!
I then jumped into an Jackson All Star and was much happier. OK, perhaps I am adding 2-4 gallons of volume among these boats and perhaps the seat positions in the Agent and Ronin were bad,....but DEMO DEMO DEMO!
If you feel like you are struggling, blame your equipment! Try something else.
(My EZ, while I like it, feels like a big boat compared to these others. I like it, but it seems big.)
I was a long time Big EZ paddler (I'm not small!). For what I did with it, it did the trick. I paddled it up to class IV on bigger Midwestern rivers with lots of play, and it was definitely stable and fun. I could also cartwheel that thing like slicing a hot knife through butter, and I don't EVER remember being squirted in it.
Then I got in spud boats and I realized what a playboat really is. The EZ will never catch air. It is a slicey, sometimes play mostly river running boat. While spuds are a tad less stable, if you take the time and get used to it they can do everything that a boat like the EZ can do.
I guess you could say I'm trying to steer you away from the EZ. It's a fine boat, but so, so limited. I also absolutely hate the outfitting...it makes me feel like I'm going to hyper-extend my knees all the time. The newer spuds are vastly more comfortable with the raised knee bumps allowing for more ergonomic positions.
Plus they're more fun.
Also take a look at the Pyranha S6f 192. I just bought the 193 and love it! I also like the 420 and the Project series.
Wavesport Project, Dagger Agent, Liquid Logic Ronin (Vision is also very good) are all good spuds that you can buy new. If you want used look for Dagger Kingpins, Liquid Logic Vision, LL Pop, LL Skip, LL Airhead, LL Space Cadet, LL Pocket Rocket, Dagger Juice (not bad, but not great), Pyranha s6 or s6x or s6f, Wavesport ZGs, and I dunno, just look around!
i disagree with a playboat for your first boat. i think all of the boats you have mentioned in your category have good qualities. demo all the boats you can and get a feel for them. kinda tough when you first start out but its really down to personal taste with the boats you are looking at. at least sit in them and some boats will just feel right for your body type.
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"I'm not here to make a record, ya stupid cracker" Governor Pappy O Daniel
I'm about your size and I have a Wavesport ACE 4.7 for sale for CHEAP. It's an excellent boat for learning all sorts of stuffs! Really. If you're interested, check out the boater swap, page 3 in the play boats category, or e-mail me @ tonyaet@yahoo.com
I'm about your size and I have a Wavesport ACE 4.7 for sale for CHEAP. It's an excellent boat for learning all sorts of stuffs!
how is it for beginners? I really need something stable to build my confidence and rolling ability. I don't want to spend my first year on the water, upside down.
the Ace 4.7 is a fun boat for a beginner. I paddled one for a season. They aren't the easiest to roll because of the harsh edges (even harder than a modern spud, IMHO), but you can roll any boat up. If it's a touch more difficult to roll you will learn better technique and will learn to roll ANY boat up.
Also, the Ace is REALLY slicey, so it's a ton of fun for flatwater stuff like bow stalls, stern squirts/stalls and especially cartwheels. I have never had a boat cartwheel as easily and effortlessly as the Ace 4.7.
It would help to know that I weigh 220 and I weighed 205-210 when I was in the Ace. So, I was WAY heavy for it, but I still threw myself down some really big class IV in it once. I was in over my head at 1200 CFS with about 1/2 mile of IV, but I made it unscathed, and nary a stern squirt to speak of. I regularly paddled the Ace down class III runs and had a blast in it. The friend who loaned it to me was stern squirted off of every ripple in the river, and lord knows to this day why he was constantly vertical on the river when I almost never was, and I weighed more.
If it's a good deal, then buy the boat.
I've been considering selling my Pyranha S6f 193, which might be a bit big for you, but throw me an offer and I'll consider it.
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