BoatBanter.com - Any thoughts on River Runner R5 and R5 Excel ?

On Monday, May 4, 1998 at 2:00:00 AM UTC-5, Richard Culpeper wrote:
John:
The R5 can give you a taste of everything, but is not very good at any one
thing. For fla****er touring mixed with a little easy wild water, it is a
fine boat -- great for easy weekend overnight trips. It tours nicely on
flat water, can easily handle rough open water, and can handle
non-technical easy wild water if the eddys are not tight. When compared to
a sea kayak, it is fairly slow and has poor storage, but can still easily
hold a weekend's worth of gear. When compared to a wild water kayak it is
far too long and too slow turning -- it handles more like a typical
recreational canoe than a kayak. You can run non-technical wild water, but
don't expect to make any quick turns.
The R5 is a boat which many people start with but eventually grow out of
when they specialize as sea or wild water paddlers, so you might consider
looking for a second hand one ($650CDN is the going rate for a new one
including a cheap skirt and paddle).
Richard Culpeper
Instructor, OWWA, OSCRA
John Buffett wrote:
Hi all:

I am a rank beginner. I can roll a keyak in a swimming pool. ( For Now!
)
My ambitions are fla****er touring and maybe Class I or II WW.

What impressions does the group have for the:

River Runner R5 with paddle and skirt at $650 Can.
River Runner R5 Excel with paddle and skirt at $850 Can.

I know they are far from top of line but they are in my price range.

What are the goods and bads of this boat ?

Appreciate any feedback and thanks in advance.

John