I'm 29 and I'm hoping to lean out a little on the fat and add some muscle. So I'll probably end up at 165. So It'll be better to go the the Mamba 8.1 then? I feel like the 8.6 is just way too big especially since I know I'll never get heavy enough for it. Or will it be a good? I'm not familiar with these things. I did find someone who was going to sell a dagger mamba 8.6 used for only 1 season with paddle, skirt, and some other stuff.
The boat was bought new stored inside and used probably 10-15 times in deep water.
He says the paddle, skirt, and drytop are pretty much brand new and have barely been used.
So the 8.1 would be a good size for me then? I feel like the 8.6 is just way too big especially since I know I'll never get heavy enough for it. Or will it be a good? I'm not familiar with these things. I did find someone who was going to sell a dagger mamba 8.6 used for only 1 season with paddle, skirt, and some other stuff.
My thought is that a Mamba 7.6 would likely be too small. You could probably squeeze into it, but it would be less than ideal (especially if you plan to creek in it, since the relative lack of volume for your size would probably negatively impact the boat's ability to resurface quickly).
I am close to your size (5-8, 155 pounds) and paddled a Nomad 8.1, which is comparable in size to a Mamba 8.1, for a few years. I thought the sizing was about right. The 8.1 is not a big boat by any stretch of the imagination, especially compared to newer creekboats where the trend is bigger is better. In addition, I've seen lots of guys - and gals - who are about your size or smaller paddling Nomad 8.5s or medium Newmads that are slightly bigger than the old 8.5.
In short, my guess is that a Mamba 7.6 is WAY too small for you. Hope this is helpful to you.
Hey so I'm fairly new to the kayaking world and have done a lot of research on kayaks and what I'm looking for and have narrowed it down to the Dagger Mamba 7.6 which will allow me to do everything I want to do. First off I am 5'9 and 155Ib's so is that a good size for me? Or should I go bigger to the 8.1?
Also it is extremely hard to find the Mamba's used. I just found a Dagger Mamba 7.6 that a guy was selling barely ever used and in amazing condition. It comes with a AT carbon fiber paddle with bent shaft, a Langer Dry Top, and a skirt all for $1000. Is that too much for all that stuff or is that actually a good deal? What are your thoughts??