Flying Squirrel
Printed From: ProfessorPaddle.com
Category: General
Forum Name: Whitewater Forum
Forum Discription: Open Discussion Forum. Whitewater related subjects only
URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=14506
Printed Date: 19 Apr 2024 at 5:45pm
Topic: Flying Squirrel
Posted By: pacnwboater
Subject: Flying Squirrel
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2014 at 11:31am
Hey Guys, I'm looking at getting a flying squirrel. I am 6 foot and 190lbs. I'm thinking of getting the 85, as I'm coming out of a Jackson Superhero which I feel is much like a floating potato. Now I know its the paddler and not the boat, but I could use every extra edge I can get  White Salmon, Tilton, and the Hood are some of my favorite rivers to get on and the type of boating I prefer. Thoughts?
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Replies:
Posted By: mojodna
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2014 at 12:43pm
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I've had a 95 for the last month and a half. I haven't been out in it as much as I'd like (6 or 7 times?), so I'm still adjusting to it (there's one data point). I'm 6', about 220.
I'd been paddling a Jefe Grande for the past 5 years or so, mostly in California, some in Colorado. My paddling style is more to drift into things with last-minute adjustments rather than consistently drive, and I love boofing. (The Jefe boofed like a dream.) The Squirrel is *fast* and expects to be driven more. I've definitely found that I need to be more consistently aggressive in order to move it around. It's also loong (8'11.5" vs. 8'5" or so), which is something I've had the hardest time adjusting to; I find that I consistently bang the stern when boofing (and have needed to adjust my timing in order to launch properly.) The Squirrel's primary stability isn't as good [as a displacement hull), so the first couple times I side-surfed I was thrown off before being caught by the secondary stability. Can't say much about how it rolls; I know some people have had more trouble with the Jefe (than, say, a Remix), but I'm not one of them. No problems with plowing through holes; it generally skips over the top, though when I've melted, it surfaces nicely (perhaps not quite as smoothly as the Jefe). It tracks better, which makes it easier to move fast in boogie water (that was really my only complaint about the old boat). All in all, I'm not as confident in it as I was with the Jefe, but I also haven't been back, so I don't have the opposite perspective. Hope this helps. |
Posted By: BIGWATER
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2014 at 1:01pm
| If you like the Tilton get a playboat. Lots of nice surf in there! 😊 |
Posted By: huckin harms
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2014 at 2:00pm
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Yeah, I don't think there are many Squirrels around these Western parts.
But if you love paddling the Remix then this could be a winner of a design. Only time will tell. You might want to paddle a Remix 79 or 69 first to 'see' if what you're looking for... there are some significant design changes to the bow rocker with lots more volume in the stern but very similar hull profile to Remix. Good luck finding one to Demo! If you do I'd like to hear what you thought of it. |
Posted By: huckin harms
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2014 at 5:30pm
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So LL is spreading some WEST COAST LOVE!
They are shipping out a pack of Squirrels to Chico, CA. It's two days drive from WA but a $200 savings on shipping if you happen to be down south. OR if you would like, my wonderful better half will pick it up at no charge and deliver to WA on Jan 2 or 3rd. Check out the deal : https://www.liquidlogickayaks.com/2014/12/a-pack-of-flying-squirrels-are-headed-to-california/ Cost of boat is $950 and all colors available. Give me a shout at twoFIVE3 3FIVEO 5four0THREE if interested in a pickup. PS. My wife says there's actually a sixpack IPA surcharge on delivery :) |
Posted By: SOPBOATER
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2014 at 9:59am
| I'm also interested in paddling this boat. Being a very large fan of the remix and disliking the stomper I think this could be an excellent choice for the northwest. I always thought a touch more bow rocker and more stern volume would make the remix from most people's big water specialist into an all around go anywhere creeker. Though I doubt I'll be buying one unless it's a major upgrade from my mamba. |
Posted By: rhoyerboat
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2014 at 8:21pm
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I am also actively trying to select a modern creeker and trying to demo this boat in the process. ------------- Knowing is half the battle, scouting is half the fun. ɯɐǝɹʇsuʍop ǝɯ ʇuᴉoԀ puɐ ɹǝʌo ʞɐʎɐʞ ʎ |
Posted By: IMEANSA
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2015 at 2:05pm
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So anyone heading to Chico and back to seattle?
Or driving up from Cali anytime soon? Apparently there are still some squirrels down there and i am trying to get one. ------------- Varsity Swim Team |
Posted By: apmurray
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2015 at 3:41pm
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I got a Squirrel 95 just after the new year and it's by far my favorite boat. I paddled a Burn since the first generation. I got a used Stomper last year, but didn't like it in anything with much volume. To me, the Squirrel brings together a lot of great qualities that make it my go to boat any time I'm not playing. It's fast. I get the other comment about the stern, because it has a giant behind. I think this gives it stability to spare, but you can also drop the stern into piece of current and pick up a lot of automatic speed with pretty much no trippiness. It surfaces quickly and easily. It has great secondary stability. It stays on line without much effort. I found with the Squirrel and the Stomper that you really have to take the time to customize the outfitting. Relative to other boats I've paddled, the back band just never seems to sit right, the seat is pretty low in the boat, and the knee position was different enough from the Burn that it took time to get used to. I made longer straps for the backband so it can reach up higher on my low back, then put a little more height on the seat and pulled the bulkhead forward. Now this giant boat fits like a glove and I find the extra length and volume fun to play around with. I'm really happy with mine, and have started getting rid of all my other boats. |