Good looking boat. Re-homing because of the floor, or other reasons?

 

We are about to hit MFS early Aug fully loaded with gear, kids, etc. wife basically said it’s time for a newer boat and I kinda agreed.
No other real reasons to sell it and I’m going to miss it for sure.

 

The Baroness is a keeper!!!

wife basically said it’s time for a newer boat

 

Aww. I understand! It’s like an old car sometimes. Sure, it can be fixed up - but my wife still wouldn’t get into it😆 As for NRS, they make great boats and have tremendous customer service. That E series is a burly boat.

 

If you want to send her to a good home where she'll get to go down the Middle Fork many more times let me know! -Elise 5099984949

I’m about to sell my beloved 87 Avon Pro self bailer. I’ve had it 5 years - and it’s still got life left. It has (soon had, I hope) a floor leak near the v tape on the back left of the boat. Being fixed by the venerable boat fixer Mark Taylor @ Reliable Raft Repair in Coloma CA. 33 years old and still sexy, but soon to be in someone else’s hands. I’m the 2nd owner with receipts on all her history.

So I’m moving on to an NRS E-160 (new) and hoping she holds up to the standard of my Avon. Tall order, but I’m sure we’ll find a way. We haul tons of gear in a big family so the E should stack up - and I believe in NRS’ customer service. Any major issues with this boat anyone can share?
Maybe I’m crazy but I’m sure there are a few MB posters who’ve had to say goodbye to boats and hated doing it as much as I’m about to. Just not looking forward to it. View attachment 58286

 

I’m about to sell my beloved 87 Avon Pro self bailer. I’ve had it 5 years - and it’s still got life left. It has (soon had, I hope) a floor leak near the v tape on the back left of the boat. Being fixed by the venerable boat fixer Mark Taylor @ Reliable Raft Repair in Coloma CA. 33 years old and still sexy, but soon to be in someone else’s hands. I’m the 2nd owner with receipts on all her history.

So I’m moving on to an NRS E-160 (new) and hoping she holds up to the standard of my Avon. Tall order, but I’m sure we’ll find a way. We haul tons of gear in a big family so the E should stack up - and I believe in NRS’ customer service. Any major issues with this boat anyone can share?
Maybe I’m crazy but I’m sure there are a few MB posters who’ve had to say goodbye to boats and hated doing it as much as I’m about to. Just not looking forward to it.
View attachment 58286

 

Was wondering if you could tell me the oar size you use on your 16xt. I've heard both 10 and 10.5' oars

 

I can understand your trepidation. I sold my 1990 Pro a couple of years ago and bought a Hyside 16xt. I was surprised that the Hyside rowed as well or better than the Pro after a couple of days getting used to it. Seemed to push better than the Pro did but maybe it was the way I had it set up. Good luck with your NRS, they are great boats and I think you won't be disappointed.

 

She's beautiful. I have a similar era Avon. Also have an E140 with no complaints. Not in the market but, what are you looking to get for it?

 

Bummer but good for you, sir. We put in MFS on 8/2 so we're running down river chasing each other a bit.

 

I tried my 10 footers and didn't like the geometry so switched to 10 1/2 and like them better. It's a pretty wide boat. Mine is 49" wide interior and I think my oar locks ended up around 86" apart so I felt like I had too steep an angle with the 10'. It all depends on how your boat is set up, seating position, and personal preferences. I use counterbalanced oars and the extra length helped the balance as well, the 10' felt too light.

 

I would TOTALLY recommend the 160E. I used avons in the 80's and they were THE boat back then. Obviously, they still hold up 30 years later. My 160 E is 9 - 10 years old now but other than stains from rusty rocket boxes it is still in primo shape. I am definitely a fan of taking the kitchen sink so my boat gets loaded! Amazingly, because of the inflatable floor it is surprising how shallow it drafts compared to the standard floor boats. On our trip down the Salmon last year, we had 2ea 120 qt coolers, 1ea 70qt cooler, 2 big alumium dry boxes (kitchen), 2 groover rocket boxes, 2 other rocket boxes, 4 water jugs, 6 various size ammo cans, propane bomb, 2 tables, 4 big dry bags, 2 chairs, and more.
I made plywood floors for the back and under my feet extending under the cooler. I used a soft beavertail in the bow. I have a 4 bay frame. I had the 4 rocket boxes by my feet, 2 on each side. I sat on 1 dry box. The other drybox is in front of the cooler.
First attachement: the 160E in the background. Sotar 18 is the yellow boat.
Second attachment, different trip, my boat is on left. 4 coolers, 1 is in the very front so can't see it. 2 alum dry boxes, tables are gone as are the dry bags and other stuff on top

 

I've spent a lot of time behind the oars of both the Avon Pro and the NRS E160. First off, the 160 is quite a bit heavier than a Pro. This is mainly due to differences in Fabric. It is my understanding the the original Avon Fabric is no longer made. It had optimal strength to weight ratio of all the various hypalon type fabrics IMO.

Also, I don't think the 160 handles nearly as nicely as the Pro. The geometry of the Pro had 3 sections that form the bow and stern where the 160 only has 2. Where the Avon's template and rocker wants to ride up and over things, the 160 will try to plow through them with its boxy shape, which kills momentum. I think the Pro tracks better than the 160 too. No boat maker has ever dialed in template and rocker better than Avon.

That all being said, the E 160 is still a great boat, and its definitely the best "Hypalon" option on the market IMO. I've been trying to talk NRS into copying the design of the Pro as special order, but no traction yet. They seem more into designing to make manufacturing cheaper vs making performance on the water better. With many boat companies, I don't think their designers often have enough actual boating experience to really know how shape translates to performance. Avon's were tested on rivers like the Zambezi which pushes performance to the limit.

I'd be interested in your old Avon if the price is right.

 

I've spent a lot of time behind the oars of both the Avon Pro and the NRS E160. First off, the 160 is quite a bit heavier than a Pro. This is mainly due to differences in Fabric. It is my understanding the the original Avon Fabric is no longer made. It had optimal strength to weight ratio of all the various hypalon type fabrics IMO.

Also, I don't think the 160 handles nearly as nicely as the Pro. The geometry of the Pro had 3 sections that form the bow and stern where the 160 only has 2. Where the Avon's template and rocker wants to ride up and over things, the 160 will try to plow through them with its boxy shape, which kills momentum. I think the Pro tracks better than the 160 too. No boat maker has ever dialed in template and rocker better than Avon.

That all being said, the E 160 is still a great boat, and its definitely the best "Hypalon" option on the market IMO. I've been trying to talk NRS into copying the design of the Pro as special order, but no traction yet. They seem more into designing to make manufacturing cheaper vs making performance on the water better. With many boat companies, I don't think their designers often have enough actual boating experience to really know how shape translates to performance. Avon's were tested on rivers like the Zambezi which pushes performance to the limit.

I'd be interested in your old Avon if the price is right.

Ive never had the privilege to row an Avon but My E151 has huge diminishing tubes with a dramatic kick. I wonder if that eliminates that bluntness your talking about, she can plow through things. What other manufacturers are taking a leaf out of Avon’s book?

 

I'm interested in your Pro too, depending on price.

 

Nothing rows like an Avon... I've always used 10 foot Sawyer MX F/G oars with the ash blades..