What type of white water have you used the backbone in?

[jchurch]

Has anybody had the backbone in class II or III's? Those are my favorite to use my AF1 in, but I'm afraid they could cause damage to the backbone, or perhaps does the backbone cause excessive wear and tear on the floor when moving over rocks in shallow rivers?

What kind of water have you used it in?

[pdenker]

I'd be curious to know this as well. It's low-water season in Georgia; bottoming out and scraping over rocks and sand is a common occurrence on most of our rivers. Just got my BB -- wondering if it'll make bottoming out more damaging to the hull.

Also curious if the BB makes turning/maneuvering more difficult. Have to do a lot of weaving about, in our low-water rivers, to avoid those aforementioned shallow spots.

[JCOOLEY]

If paddling in shallow waters, you probably do not want to use the backbone. It will push that area of the kayak lower and you risk scraping that area more than without it. Also, because it enhances the tracking of the kayak, you will not be able to maneuver as quickly as without it.