Originating as a “phantom” project by a few of Dagger’s team members and designers, Dagger’s 9-foot race boat has proven itself over the years to be a fast reliable boat for whatever kind of whitewater you’re after.
To begin with, one of the biggest questions that’s asked when talking about the Phantom is “Why not the Code?” Let me begin by saying that the Code is a good boat. Stable with lots of rocker, it provides a sense of security that lots of people prefer. However to me, it felt loose (didn’t “hold a line” very well), while also not being super fast. Sure, the stability and rocker made me feel bombproof, however I felt the boat was doing a bit too much for me. This is where the Phantom steps in.
Like Brad Pitt in the new F1 movie, the Phantom was designed for speed, and this boat is quick. Paddling in the PNW I’ve often found myself alongside a Scorch X and have had no issues keeping up on flatwater paddle outs. Stemming from a longer waterline, this boat just wants to go fast. In true race-boat fashion, the Phantom accelerates out of boofs, maintaining momentum downriver and away from stout holes. A squared off stern with a touch of stern rocker and a hybrid planing/displacement hull provides for satisfying skips out of the biggest drops.
The second thing that sets the boat apart is its edges. Their sharp-yet-rounded effect combined with the boat’s speed provides forgiveness in the boils and enough snap in and out of eddies you need to catch.
However, without that speed, these same edges can be a little trippy. Being intentional about your line and utilizing that speed is key to get the most out of this boat (like most race boats). When given said speed, the Phantom does a great job of locking in a line, and punching/skipping through most issues that come its way. However, the continuous rocker throughout the hull allows it to pivot on a dime.
Finally when loaded, this boat preforms quite well, making it a great choice for self-supports. At 89 gallons this boat eats gear like self-support boaters do their dehydrated Jet Boil food while maintaining similar character. Becoming a just touch looser with more weight in the stern, the added weight gives the boat more momentum, driving through most features without issue. I even felt it boofed pourovers better, with more weight in the stern making picking that bow up a little easier.
So, despite being six years old and in a modern world full of high-rocker boats, the Phantom still finds its niche in the whitewater environment. After paddling this boat for a few years on everything from low water Class II-III to higher volume stouts, the Phantom has proven itself to be a fast, and stable platform providing the ability to launch deeper into whatever world the paddler chooses.
—Judah Harms
Dagger Phantom Specs:
Length: 8’11”; (271 cm)
Width: 26.75″; (68 cm)
Volume: 89 gallons (337 L)
Weight: 49.5 lbs (22.5 kg)
Paddler Weight Range: 145-255 lbs (66-116 kg)
Cockpit Length: 34″; (86 cm)
Cockpit Width: 19″; (48 cm)
More Beta: Dagger Phantom
Read Review of Dagger Code Here.