Crossover

I purchased my Crossover around 2008 from a dealer in Middle GA. I have used it primarily on rivers in GA and TN. I have also taken it to the Keys in FL and to the gulf. I have done some long paddles in bays in FL that were quite enjoyable with the skeg of course. My son liked to ride the waves in FL also. I now use it on a small river in the mountains of TN where I now live. It is really great on a small river. I lost the skeg coming back from FL one time so I have built a better one from a piece of 2X10. Both skegs are a pain when launching from the bank and when navigating shallow rocky rapids. I take it off for rapids but then I have to stop to put it back on when in deeper water. I am redesigning the skeg and plan to put a hinge near the top and a spring or bungy cord to pull it back down. At that point I think it will be a great skeg. I have now started fishing from it but it lacks rod holders so it is not ideal for that. I really like the Crossover and it is my favorite Kayak. I also have an old Dagger Crossfire. I agree that the seat back padding is poor and I usually end up sitting on it when getting in the kayak and then have to get it out from under me.

The Dagger Crossover is as described and handles what it was built for- variety... For flat water, it does come with a skeg- which I would recommend upgrading. The stock skeg seems to create more drag than necessary and is not easily adjusted. Mine has yet to strip out like others have mentioned being a problem, but I can easily see how this would be a problem. For rivers, it is a moderately stable craft that turns fairly easily considering it's size. The Dagger Crossover has a rear hatch with a decent amount of storage space and deck rigging to attach items on the outside of the boat making it suitable for overnight trips. Overall, this boat has been a pleasure to own and paddle. For someone looking for a boat that can do a variety of things, but doesn't necessarily excel at any particular activity- this boat may be a great choice.

At 12.5 feet, it's short enough that it's very maneuverable, even though it doesn't have a whole lot of rocker. I like that it has good speed for when my friends are in their long boats. Although it does turn quickly, I haven't had any problems tracking in small winds, even though I never use the provided skeg.

I weigh 240lb, but the boat doesn't seem to mind, although it does have a tendency to bury its bow on a wave. The very plumb bow is a drag though, as it sends water shooting up on a wave and has a tendency to catch in the rocks. I've surfed the boat in 4' surf and found it rather maneuverable in the waves.

I don't know what Dagger really planned this boat to be used for and the plum bow make it a bit tough to use in the RGs where I usually use it, but I'm still having fun with it. For someone my size, it's a better fit than the Greenboat, but without the WW cred!

There are some things about it that are a compromise, but isn't that the idea? I don't have a problem with the backband because I primarily paddle marathon racing canoes, so back support of any kind seems like a luxury.

I learned how to roll in this boat, so I can't say if it's easy to roll or not because I haven't tried rolling anything else. I use a 204 cm Foxworx whitewater paddle and can keep up with 16-18 foot touring boats just fine when just cruising along.

I don't use the skeg, even on flatwater because it feels as though it creates too much drag. Although, when I loan it to someone who isn't used to a boat that turns this easily I have them use the skeg. As far as whitewater goes, I've paddled the Sacandaga and Schroon in NYS and it seems to go downriver nicely.

It will even surf pretty well if you anticipate a little when getting into the holes. The whitewater paddlers laugh at it and call it a barge, but I can do more with this one boat than I could with two specialized kayaks.

The plastic construction is tough, which leads to my only criticism and that is the weight. It weighs around 50 pounds, but as long as you don't have to carry it too far it's not that bad. Durablity is more important than light weight with a boat like this. The extra weight isn't really noticed on the water. Set up with a Harmony LC1 skirt and a pair of gloves, I can paddle until the rivers freeze in central NY and still be comfortable, which was what I had in mind when I bought the boat.

I give it a 10 because I think Dagger did a great job when they designed the Crossover.

I took it on a run a few weeks ago from Beasley Flats to Childs. It's 18 miles of class II-III-IV and V whitewater at 3000 c.f.s. It did real well in six and seven foot waves. I was very impressed with the handling features of this craft. I got caught in a hole below Punk Rock rapid, and had to wet exit. After my 3/4 mile swim, I found the boat pinned cock pit out against some trees in the current. True to advertising, after 40 minutes I was able to free the boat, and the dry storage did not implode. It had a football sized dent in it, but when I turned it over and laid it in the sun, it popped right back to regular shape.

I did the rest of the trip without incident. I recommend a neoprene whitewater skirt for this boat. And it does roll nicely. I use this boat up on the San Juan almost daily. Great boat that handles just about anything.

The Crossover is not light compared to smaller whitewater boats, but it weighs less than fifty pounds and it has some very nice features. First, it is not too long for boating something like the Ocoee, but it has enough length and keel to be a fun ocean or lake boat. It has a great little skeg that, though it looks cheesy, is very functional. The cockpit fits a wide range of paddlers, it has footpegs and moderate thighbraces, and best of all it has a dual-covered sealed bulkhead compartment!

The boat turns as fast one of the older rodeo boats like the Pirouette or Dancer, rolls easily, and has good primary and secondary stability. I would take it down the Gauley if I were going to paddle the Upper, Middle, and Lower sections.

If you are looking for one boat or you can't decide between whitewater and touring, this is a great choice. My wife loves the boat and even the kids (ages 5 & 8) have a great time paddling it. I even like to dink around in the Crossover, of course it's not much for throwing flatwater ends!