{"id":20145,"date":"2018-06-21T21:21:52","date_gmt":"2018-06-21T21:21:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/?p=20145"},"modified":"2024-12-11T16:50:53","modified_gmt":"2024-12-11T15:50:53","slug":"to-machno-or-to-9r-tough-choices-creek-boat-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pyranha.com\/blog\/to-machno-or-to-9r-tough-choices-creek-boat-review\/","title":{"rendered":"To Machno or to 9R? Tough Choices Creek Boat Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

While neither the 9R nor the Machno are new to the creek boating and river running scene, it wasn\u2019t until just recently that I was able to use each of them extensively on various styles of whitewater. Overall,\u00a0I would happily take either on any style of river run.\u00a0They do have some fundamental differences and compliment each other exceptionally well. \u00a0But, I realize that most of us can\u2019t afford, nor do we really want a quiver of creek boats.\u00a0 So, here are my thoughts on the primary differences between these kayaks if you\u2019re trying to decide which might better suit your needs.\u00a0 (For the record this comes from the bias of a medium-smallish paddler.\u00a0 I\u2019m 5\u20197\u201d, about 135 and realize that while I choose to paddle the 9R and Small Machno, this insight might not be as relevant to someone differently sized who might be choosing between a 9R and Machno)<\/p>\n

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Tracey Young and the 9r Steezing Cherry Bomb (Photo Sam Swanson)<\/p><\/div>\n

SPEED- The 9R is known for its\u2019 speed.\u00a0\u00a0 Coming in at 8\u20196\u201d instead of the 9R\u2019s 8\u201911\u201d, the Small Machno is not as fast as its\u2019 sibling kayak.\u00a0 But, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was not a slug and was actually quite quick compared to other creek boats.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0The 9R likes to handle everything with speed.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you\u2019re not paddling aggressively, or are slowly approaching features trying to discern the line, the 9R will not perform as well.\u00a0Conversely, while the Machno obviously performs better when paddled aggressively and with speed, it also handles unbelievably well when paddled casually, momentum has been lost, or when peeling out of an eddy directly into a boof.\u00a0 Both kayaks love rapidly skipping out after holes and boofs.<\/p>\n

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Anna Wagner Driving the 9r through Big Water on the Malad (Photo – Dan Hoffman)<\/p><\/div>\n

STABILITY \u2013 The desired and output speeds of the 9R and Machno feeds directly into their stability (which both are).\u00a0 The 9R\u2019ss stability comes from being driven.\u00a0 The Machno, a bit wider and more comfortable with less speed, is naturally a bit more stable.<\/p>\n

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Jo Kemper Cruising her 9r amongst the rocks, holes, and siphons on the Ohanepecosh (Photo Nouria Newman)<\/p><\/div>\n

EDGE \u2013 Both boats feature a non-aggressive edge, which is nice for holding a line and peeling in and out of eddies.\u00a0 The 9R\u2019s edge is a bit more prevalent than the Machno. \u00a0This edge combined with its\u2019 narrowness and speed makes carving, eddy catching, and s-turns in the 9R super fun, even in chiller whitewater.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Although they have edges, they\u2019re certainly not box-y and the hulls of both are rounded creating seamless edge to edge transitions and a bit of forgiveness with flat landings. \u00a0\u00a0While carving around in the 9R is more enjoyable, the Machno is more fun sliding down or around rocky features.<\/p>\n

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Liam Hardman taking advantage of that 9r edge to get her lean on. (Photo Bryce Aaron)<\/p><\/div>\n

TURNABILITY \u2013 The 9R and Machno both hold lines really well.\u00a0 The Machno turns easier than the 9R.\u00a0 Depending on the situation, you might be craving either.<\/p>\n

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Liam Hardman Showcasing some Machno Boof Steeze (Photo Hayley Stuart)<\/p><\/div>\n

BOOFABILITY \u2013 Bottom line, they both boof exceptionally well.\u00a0 They\u2019re easy to boof, forgiving, and enjoy ripple skipping out of the bottom of drops.\u00a0\u00a0 While the 9R likes to take drops straight on, owing to its\u2019 easy to turn nature, the Machno is super fun to sweep boof.\u00a0 Approaching a drop not quite straight on, but being able to skip out straight from the bottom is both a fun and forgiving feature of the Machno.\u00a0 \u00a0Similarly, they both plug.\u00a0 Tall waterfalls and steep creeks, my vote is for the Machno, (but the 9R also gets the job done remarkably well).<\/p>\n

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Tracy Young Boofing that Machno Strong on a classic Cali Overnighter (Photo Sam Swanson)<\/p><\/div>\n

OVERNIGHTERS- While I\u2019ve taking the 9R on many overnight trips and like it immensely, speed and stability come a bit more into play.\u00a0 I notice that I really need to get it up to speed for it to perform well.\u00a0For big water river running and creeking, I\u2019ve been stoked.\u00a0 On tighter creeks I\u2019ve been a little less so.\u00a0 The Machno loves overnighters.\u00a0 For the shorter paddler, it\u2019s a bit more pleasant to carry the Machno using a backpack portage system or while negotiating around rocks.<\/p>\n

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Small Girl, Big Boat. Jordan Slaughter Hiking into Bridge Creek.<\/p><\/div>\n

Overall, like I said before, I am stoked to paddle either the 9R or Machno on all types of whitewater, whether it be big water river running or creeking, cruising down your backyard run, low volume steep creeking, or exploratory overnighters.\u00a0The 9R is your Ferrari, the Machno is your Hummer.\u00a0 (The analogy might not be perfect)\u00a0 The decision is a matter of preference, your style, and what type of whitewater you find yourself mostly paddling.\u00a0 I like the nimble playfulness and stability of the Machno on steep creeks, low volume whitewater, and overnighters.\u00a0 I enjoy the speed and carvibility of\u00a0 the 9R on river runs, higher volume creeking, and making easier whitewater dynamic and fun.<\/p>\n

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9r likes to go fast, but also handles quite well on taller drops. Jordan Slaughter laying some treats on Lower Lewis Falls.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Anna Wagner & her 9r styling some Cali steep creeking (Photo Sam Swanson)<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While neither the 9R nor the Machno are new to the creek boating and river running scene, it wasn\u2019t until just recently that I was able to use each of them extensively on various styles of whitewater. Overall,\u00a0I would happily take either on any style of river run.\u00a0They do have some fundamental differences and compliment … <\/p>\n

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