Dagger GT 8.1
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Dagger  GT 8.1 Add Product Review Add Magazine Review Add Shop Review

Year Introduced 2003
Category Boats
Type River Runner
Length 8' 2"
Width 25.50"
Volume 76.00 gallons
Weight 42.00 pounds
Cockpit Size 34" x 19"
Paddler Weight 140 - 230 lbs.


Description
Good times. Gigantic tsunami. Goofy-footed two-hander. Yeah, we’re not sure what GT stands for either. What we are sure of is that it’s perfect for paddlers who seek a great downriver boat with a planing hull for spinning and surfing. The chines fall between forgiveness and control in tech water plus we pumped up the volume for an oh-so-comfy ride in the big water. The hull speed is smokin’ and is spot-on for entry-level paddlers or big water specialists alike. And all this can be yours – even the super stiff D Bone Subframe™ and that shining star of a Performance Fit System™ featuring Precision adjustable thigh braces, the new Flipswitch™ backband, rebound seat pad and still new six-way adjustable AirCore™ hip pads. Stump your local dealer and ask ‘em what GT stands for.
Dagger  GT 8.1

Dagger  GT 8.1

12/16/2006
All-Around River-Runners
By: Canoe & Kayak by Christian Knight

Christian:
- Comfort/Outfitting: This boat has inflatable hip pads that conform to your hips and a fully adjustable and durable back band. It also has plenty of foot room.
- Stability: This was the most stable boat in the review. It gave me the feeling that I had good edge-to-edge control over the boat.
- River-running: Excellent river-runner. I used this boat for a boater-cross competition and wished it were available for an extreme race three days later. It's fast, it's stable, and you can boof it.
- Playboating/Surfing: It was pretty decent at surfing a wave. On a good wave I could get a flat spin. But it's almost impossible to get this thing vertical.

Veronica:
- Comfort/Outfitting: I thought the inflatable hip pads were really handy.
- Stability: I never flipped over in this boat and never really felt like I would.
- River-running: Seemed to go where I wanted it to go and didn't really stray.
- Playboating/Surfing: Surfing makes me swim.

Rob:
- Comfort/Outfitting: This boat was very comfortable. I could take a nap in it. I had plenty of room for my feet. I could wear my snowshoes in there. I kind of liked the idea of the inflatable hip pads.
- Stability: Very stable.
- River-running: I'd probably feel more comfortable running big water in it than creeks, but I'd still run the creeks in it.
- Playboating/Surfing: It's not really a playboat. But on a good wave I think it would be a good beginner playboat.

Dagger  GT 8.1