So, the question boils down to this......if you could have just one boat to paddle all your races in, tours, etc....which would it be and why? Kruger for the comfort? Spencer for the speed? Thunderbolt?
This a tough question. It would be much easier to select "just two" boats to cover my paddling interest and needs. But ... I am always ready to talk about my boats.
Kruger's Sea Wind canoe designed for an efficient expedition cruising is the most versatile and comfortable in my paddling fleet. I have paddled Sea Wind on many local lakes and rivers including South Platte and Colorado Rivers. I take her to such a tight creek like the Dismal River in Sandhills of Nebraska and to coastal waters of Florida in WaterTribe Challenges. Sea Wind is my choice for winter paddling for any waters larger than the South Platte River, e.g., the Colorado River near Moab, Utah.
As a racing boat Sea Wind would be not very competitive in short distances but works for me for longer expedition style races. See my cruising speed comparison. I am ready to take her for Missouri River 340 Race. This canoe is pretty heavy at 65 lb. For a short day trip or workout I prefer to load rather a light kayak on the top of my car.
I planned to take Sea Wind for my first Texas Water Safari in 2002, but finally I opted for a lighter and faster boat, Spencer X-treme canoe, another hybrid boat, the most popular solo unlimited in Texas. I am sure I could finish the safari quite comfortably in Sea Wind but it would be tough to portage her through all dams and logjams of the San Marcos River. X-treme worked for me in three Texas Water Safaris, Colorado River 100 and Missouri River 340. I have done a lot of local paddling with her and training runs on North Platte and Gunnison Rivers, and even an overnight trip on Green River through Labyrinth Canyon.
I was paddling X-treme on the Poudre River in Fort Collins, but I preferred something shorter and more maneuverable for that purpose. It is why I bought Sisson Nucleus, a multisport kayak from New Zealand.
X-treme is customed built by Jack Spencer in Martindale, TX, and some variations are possible. Newer models have bow and stern watertight compartments closed with deck plates. X-treme has a good secondary stability and it is possible to survive rough waters of San Antonio Bay at the end of Texas Water Safari. Seaworthiness of this boat can be improved by installing a lower seat.
WSBS Thunderbolt-X ... I am still testing this kayak. So far, I haven't paddled more than 8 miles in upstream/downstream mode on the South Platte River. Thunderbolt is much faster and feels more stable than my Sisson Nucleus. I am waiting for open water in my local lakes to do some virtual racing. I hope to paddle Thunderbolt in river races up to 50 miles, maybe longer. I believe that WSBS EFT (Extra Fast Tourer) would be a better choice for longer races like MR-340, Colorado River 100, Texas Water Safari or even WaterTribe challenges.
So, in summary;
if only one boat: Sea Wind to cover most of my paddling spectrum
if only two boats: Sea Wind + WSBS EFT (or X-treme, or Thunderbolt)
What would be your that "only one boat" to paddle?
