Dagger Kayaks -- Cutting Edge Technology That Delivers

Dagger Kayaks is one of those innovative companies that isn't afraid to take a chance and try something new as far as designing new and innovative kayaks. Although the company has only been around since the late 1980s, they've made a name for themselves by producing boats that continually perform at the top of their class in competition and recreational use.

We receive emails from paddlers all over the world, and owners of Dagger kayaks constantly praise their boats for their ruggedness and maneuverability. Paddlers also rave about Dagger's cutting edge hull designs, sturdy construction, and stability on the water.

Just as with any other kayak brand, we've heard a few complaints about Dagger kayaks, mostly minor issues regarding hull denting and inadequate foot braces on some recreational models. But these negative comments have been relatively few and far between, and Dagger owners seem to be a loyal and happy bunch overall.

Dagger Kayaks -- the company

Toward the end of the 80’s, Joe Pulliam and three paddling buddies decided to pool their considerable experience in the fledgling paddlesports industry and create their own boat company. After a tiresome search for the perfect location, they finally settled on Roane County, TN. The deciding factors were close proximity to a variety of quality paddling and cheap rent – but not necessarily in that order.

Thus, in 1988, Dagger Canoe Co. was introduced to the world. In those days, Joe was as likely to be delivering a trailer-load of boats to Minnesota as he was to be in the plant shaping a plug. He and the other three owners quickly realized the tragic irony of this industry – when you’re spending all your time designing, manufacturing, selling, and delivering boats, there’s not much time for paddling them. They made do. But mostly they made boats.

Since then they’ve moved to a new facility in South Carolina, and grown quite a bit. These days, our shipping warehouse alone is large enough to hold our entire Tennessee facility. When we started, there wasn’t even a separate area for R&D. Now, we have a state-of-the art R&D facility with more space and better equipment than some manufacturers’ entire plants.

The Products

Dagger kayaks are known primarily for their whitewater boats, although they do have several lines of touring and recreational boats as well.

Their current whitewater lines include the award winning Crazy 88 series, along with the Mamba, Kingpin, Nomad, RPM, and Juice models. The boats come in a variety of planing and displacement hull models for river running, creeking, playboating, and freestyle applications.

The Crazy 88, which won Outside Magazine's "gear of the year" award in 2005, has a fused D-Bone™ subframe with an integrated center rail, stiffening the hull and reducing weight for increased aerial capabilities, as well as key seat, hip, thigh and back adjustments for control and comfort.

Dagger kayaks touring lines include the Specter, Halifax, and Exodus series. They come with polythylene hulls, along with the lighter and stiffer Airalite models (at an extra cost, of course, although less than a comparable composite hull).

As far as recreational kayaks, Dagger produces several lines, including the Blackwater, Catalyst, and Element series. These boats come in solo and tandem models, and feature an Aircore recreational touring seat system that are reportedly very comfortable even after an extended, multi-day trip.

As we said in the opening, Dagger kayaks have a dedicated and enthusiastic following. Users have raved about their great hull speed, stability, and roomy and comfortable cockpits. They also like the surfing abilities of the planing hulled whitewater boats. Dagger's touring kayaks are noted for their speed, stability and large storage capacity.

As mentioned earlier, we have heard a few complaints from Dagger owners. Some of the whitewater boats are reportedly a little unstable when paddled by men over 200 pounds, with a tendency to pull back into an unwanted ender at unexpected moments. And a few people have complained about easily scratched and dented hulls, especially in the Airalite models, which seems to be common to all the major brands using that hull material.

Conclusion

These few minor faults aside, we would still highly recommend a Dagger kayak to anyone considering a new whitewater or touring boat. The Dagger kayaks feature innovative designs, rock-solid construction, and a good manufacturer's warranty.

Need a New Touring Kayak?

Is that trusty old touring kayak getting a little long in the tooth? Are you finding it harder and harder to keep up with your paddling companions? Are you finding that your current boat just doesn't have the storage capacity for those long, multi-day excursions? Or are you in the market for your first sea or touring kayak?

If so, you might consider purchasing your next boat from one of the online merchants. Retail paddling shops are great if you can find one, but most only carry one or two brands, and expect to pay the full retail price. Online merchants, on the other hand, often carry several brands and dozens of touring and recreational kayaks, and usually at very competitive prices. They have secure ordering systems, good warranty and return policies, and will ship virtually anywhere in the world. And you won't have to spend a weekend driving all over town in search of that perfect new boat.

If you've got a moment, check out one of our recommended merchants. You'll be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

Touring kayaks from Backcountry.com
Shop Backcountry.com for a great selection of name brand touring kayaks, including Perception and Dagger.

Tips & Tricks

Conserving water

Out on the ocean, you may be surrounded by water, but that doesn't mean you can drink any of it.

Paddling a touring kayak is physically demanding,
and staying healthy and strong requires upwards of
2-3 quarts of fresh water per day. Every successful
sea kayaking adventure requires careful water
management.

Some tips include brushing your teeth with salt water, and collecting rainwater runoff in a tarp; even if it's not suitable for drinking, you can use it for bathing water. You can also bathe in salt
water. The salty residue comes off with a good
toweling, and even your hair will feel clean with a good rubbing out.

Another trick is to cook rice
instead of pasta when you're low on water. With
rice, the water is absorbed, while pasta water is
thrown out after cooking.