hello kiwi,

I am 6'2'' and 225. I have paddled every big boat out there except the new Everest. Since the Jackson has no edges and it sits up high in the hole, it is hard to get an edge down into the deeper green water like you might be able to do with an h-3. But, the Jackson is so much easier to keep straight than any other boat I have owned, including the Hurcules, because it does not get pushed around like the little guys. I would consider the Everest, but if you get up into the 230 pound range, and I bet you will,  the Jackson is the only true creek boat that I have found.

MM

The habitat might be good, but it's really what I can get a good deal on that'll fit me and still preform well.

If anyone wants to buy a Rocker I have a basically brand new one at home that I am looking to sell, discount.

I paddled the Habitat a little and it seemed like a good boat.

Lanson, my Hero should be here in a couple days. I think the demo arrived at SRK yesterday. Call them and try it out. I think rails and big water go together like the Rocker and boofing.

I believe SRK has a demo Mega also, Keenan. Hop into something on the Sky... nice to meet you.

I'll demo before I buy, but what should I be looking for on flatwater in a creekboat? rolling ability? how well it tracks, secondary stability?

With the mega you might not feel what it excels at with these brief tests mentioned above.  The thing just won't sink on you in many situations, boof strokes are nice but if you somehow miss a beat, the boat does not dive.  It has so much freaking volume that it rockets to the top.  You would not know that feel from never paddling it on a creek. 

okay, sounds good, thanks for all your help.

for how much?

well, I just want a boat that'll work, I havent really done much creekboating and want a boat. I'm looking for a boat that fits me, other boats I'm looking at are the Habitat and the Burn, If there's something out there that you know of that will work.

I would have to say at 6-4, 180 lbs the Mega has been good.  The only thing I notice is its weight to and from the putin.  I have a bit of an older model so it has a little heavier outfitting I believe, but not much.

New Tobin, there is no way this dude will fit in a Mystic.  Maybe if he has like a 32 " inseam or something, but at a 36" inseam I don't even get close.

Kiwi, what is your experience with river runner boats or playboats?  If you really think you will be just running bigger style rivers, get a creeker with edges.  If you want to boat down bouncy or steep waterfall style runs then get something similar to a Grande Jefe, Mega Rocker, Rocker, Nomad 8.5, or even that large Habitat.  They all are great boats with their individual advantages and disadvantages.

If you are 15 I imagine you will be filling out and then you will want more volume to float you and your safety gear.  On the river I carry a break down, pin kit, first aid kit, 2 throw bags, stow floats, and some bitchathane just in case someone or me breaks a boat.  This is like 15-20 pounds of gear and some say it is extreme.  But if the shit goes down I am ready for it, as long as I don't swim and lose my boat.  Sometimes I carry a video camera or still digital.

That is a lot of weight.  As to Newtobin's thoughts with the larger volume, the design has changed.  The rockers are huge in comparison.  The regular rocker would have the same volume as the Habitat 80, and boats similarly. 

The first thing I noticed when I paddled the mega is just how easy it was to paddle, it was stable, punched holes well, and stayed on the surface.  That is what you want from a creek boat.  In bigger rivers though the lack of edges make ferrying across pushy current a bit more of a chore. 

There is also a few times where I feel the boat has a mind of its own in bigger water, requiring like 2 or 3 huge sweep strokes to get her on the line you want.  I attribute this to the large amount of rocker the boat has.  This gives it an awesome characteristic when boating in very vertical situations, it does not peton hardly ever.  It bounces over rocks well and stays on the surface even if you don't boof the thing.

The bulkhead that pushes forward under extreme stress rocks.  I have been in the wrong place and placed the wrong stroke, BAM!!  That thing saves you from broken ankles big time.

Try, Try, Try different boats and see what you like.  The issue is if you are a beginner and might swim on a class 4+ river or 5- no one wants their demo or loaner boat broken. 

Consider all the choices, I think there are a lot of options for you.  But if you are like me, there are one a few boats I mentioned above that you can fit in comfortably.  If you are growing still and will add pounds, think on something in the bigger realm.

Hope this helps.

If I were going on the grand again, which I did go down last March 4th on a 20 day, I would bring a longer boat with edges.  There are very few that are super long that have edges, the green waves are incredible.