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Post by ericrjones on Apr 28, 2015 17:27:53 GMT -5
I know there are some experienced racers on this board. Does anyone have any familiarity with the Sawyer Champion II as a downriver racing boat? I understand it was a Lynn Tuttle design from the mid-1970s. I'm curious about its stability, maneuverability, and speed.
Thanks,
Eric
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Post by Jeff Owen on Apr 29, 2015 8:40:43 GMT -5
I know the Sawyer Charger was a great whitewater racing boat. My recollection is that the Champion came in several iterations, one of which had an unusually shaped stern (a large radius that extended the keel length but not the gunnel length). I remember that model being raced at the Kenduskeag Stream race when I was a kid, so it was at least appropriate for Class II whitewater. And all of those first whitewater racing hulls were ripped off of their early flatwater counterparts and were faster than all recreational hulls of the day.
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Post by ericrjones on Apr 30, 2015 8:33:51 GMT -5
Thanks Jeff. I got some detailed feedback about the hull from Peter Heed and a couple of others. It doesn't sound like what we want/need. The original Champion had a write-up in Hot Blood and Wet Paddles, but the Champion II seems to have been a different boat with a different designer. Peter said it was fast for its time - which was 40 years ago. Everyone waxes nostalgic about the hull though; apparently it's a keeper from a historical standpoint.
I guess the cat is out of the bag that we are looking for a reasonably-priced F14 class whitewater boat that would work well for a Jr/Sr team in a certain upcoming racing event. If anyone is aware of such boat for sale, please let me know. We promise (*fingers crossed*) to use it responsibly and only try to beat teams from down south.
-Eric
P.S. Awesome pictures of Katie paddling stern at the Kenduskeag!
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