The word from Dagger is that their team and consumers were yelling for more air. The Dagger Crazy 88 delivers more hull speed, signature volume distribution in its deck, edges to drive across the wave and a hull designed to pop from the water. They’ve lightened their outfitting and partnered with IR to include an Overthruster for dialing in the 88’s volume for the most air possible.
Dagger Crazy 88 Specs
(6.2 / 6.3)Length: 6’1.25” / 6’2.5”
Width: 25.35” / 26.5”
Cockpit: 35” × 19” / 35” × 19”
Volume: 40.3 / 48.1 U.S. gal
Weight: 28 / 29 lbs
Weight Range: 120-165 / 155-200 lbs
MSRP: $1,149 USD or $1,599 CAD
Weighing in on Dagger’s Crazy 88
The first thing you need to know before you try the Crazy 88 is that Dagger’s suggested weight ranges are pretty close, with little overlap. A 170-pound paddler is too much for the 6.2, not to mention that their feet probably won’t fit anyway. If you’re feeling like a nut in the right size you’ll see that you have the fastest Dagger freestyle hull since before the G-Force.
The Dagger Kingpin wasn’t known for speed or carving edge—the new Crazy 88 is both. Dagger has had a bouncing rocker-profile dialed for a couple of years. The Crazy 88 bounces when you are set up for it, and leaves the dribbling to the Harlem Globetrotters master “Curly” Neil.
A light and bouncy boat
As far as all around freestyle boats go, the Crazy 88 is a great choice, so long as you choose the correct size. It jumps on little ferry waves and carries its speed deep into eddies. With a slicier and narrower bow than the Kingpin, the 88 more easily tumbles in little pourovers.
Inside, Dagger has been simplifying and lightening their outfitting and have a comfortable system—not the easiest to set up for test days, but owners of the 88 think it’s great.
Pros and cons of the Dagger Crazy 88
Pros: Great carve. Short and pretty quick. Feels way lighter than previous Dagger boats.
Cons: Narrow thighs, tight toe box. Fiddly outfitting to set up.
This article was first published in the Summer 2005 issue of Rapid Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
