[ScottyRSA]

Hello MountainBuzz Community,

I am new here and I need some advice.

For the last nine years I have been paddling Fluid kayaks, currently a small Bazooka. I now have the opportunity to get a Dagger Mamba and I am unsure of what size to get - the 7.6 or 8.1.

I am 5'7" and weigh 150lbs, so I am top of the weight range for the 7.6 and bottom for the 8.1.

I am an experienced class V boater and want it primarily for my backyard run, a technical creek outside of Cape Town, South Africa. To see what the Witte river is all about see below:
CLICK HERE

Are there any paddlers out there that that can share their experience with the Mamba 7.6 and 8.1 and give a recommendation of which to choose?

Cheers,

Scotty

 

[mcoper8901]

Im an inch taller and 5 lbs heavier. I would get the larger size. I find that creek boats paddle best when not over-burdened with weight.

I just checked specs on that 8.1, Sounds fine to me. I'm assuming you're a strong 150 lbs... if so I think 8.1 would not feel too big at all.

I never felt like my old stomper 80 was too big for me, and like i said: 5'9" 155 lb.

Im not a super hardcore paddler. I generally take the far right line around Vs. So perhaps my opinion isnt worth much.

happy paddling,

mac cooper

 

[ScottyRSA]

Hi Mac,

Thanks for the response.

I am leaning toward getting the 8.1 because I do agree with you on not overburdening the boat. My one concern is that I won't be that maneuverable in a bigger boat, I base this on my experience paddling the medium Fluid Solo, although I get the impression that the Mamba is more nimble than the Solo.

Good lines,

Scotty

 

[rivervibe]

I am about 140 and 5'9" and I have a 7.6. It feel small for creeking. I got it not as my only creeker, but as a little nimble river runner when I'm not taking much gear. While I very much enjoy paddling it (it's like a little sports car compared to a creek boat) I actually found it feeling smaller than expected for where I fit in the weight range.

 

[ScottyRSA]

Hey Rivervibe,

Thanks for the insight.

Looks as though the 8.1 is the one to go for.

 

[jones boater]

I would suggest sitting in both. I am 5'7" and bought the 8.1. Although I loved paddling it and it is probably more appropriate for class V, the cockpit is very wide at the area of the thigh braces and I had a difficult time maintaining contact without gluing foam to the outside of the boat to hold my leg in the thigh brace. Depends on your leg length as much/more than your weight I found. I just switched to the 7.6. Maiden voyage this weekend.

 

[BrianP]

I'm 150 and 5' 10". Not in a mamba but I do paddle the nomad 8.5. Doesn't feel the slightest bit too big.

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[ScottyRSA]

Hi Jones,

Thanks for throwing a spanner in the works.

I have sat in both, but not able to demo the boats. I am not too concerned about the outfitting as I usually glue foam and customize my boats regardless of the fit.

Can you tell me how easy it is to boof the 8.1, given that you are also shorter?

 

[jones boater]

Very easy. The boat paddles great in all aspects. I did have my seat a bit forward.

 

[ScottyRSA]

Brian, thanks. Glad there are other smaller paddlers out there who handle bigger boats.

Jones, that is good to know. Think that is what seals the deal for me.


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[cmoore]

Im 5'6 140 pounds and i paddle the 8.1 on alot of class V. It is definitly still pretty manuverable and it is really nice having the extra volume on bigger volume rivers.

 

[ScottyRSA]

Hey Cmoore, thanks for the comment. I'm getting a good idea on how well it handles in bigger volume runs. Do you have an experience with the Mamba on more technical, creekier rivers?

 

[cmoore]

I paddled it in Colorado this spring on some pretty shallow class V and liked it a lot


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[ScottyRSA]

Awesome, thanks for sharing.