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Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 10:12 pm
by dlisted
Hep
Taking my 8 year old son on a Huck Finn type all day rafting adventure with a youth group. Teams float down Colorado river on wooden rafts and have water cannon fights with other teams floating down river.
Need to get the absolute best water cannon--distance, ease of use and quick fill are important. Recommendations/thoughts are greatly appreciated.
Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 11:27 pm
by emperor_james
For this type of thing, perhaps the Flash Flood would do well. I would otherwise suggest the Aquapack Devastator, which is somewhat more powerful in general and has a backpack to store water, but obviously it won't be a trouble getting to a water source (you are on a river after all) and the Flash Flood is somewhat simpler. Also, assuming you are directly from the river, it might be tricky to refill the Aquapack Devastator because of its odd quick fill hose.
Although there are older, much more powerful guns out there than the Flash Flood and Aquapack, they are generally difficult and expensive to aquire, and might be somewhat difficult for an eight year old to use. Of such older guns, your best bet would be the CPS 2100, which can sometimes be found at Sports Authority or Academy Sports. It is larger than the Flash Flood, but still relatively manageable. Still, I think the Flash Flood is your best choice overall.
Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 1:52 am
by Spinner
Since you're on a river, the XP Pool Pumper Blaster!
Unfortunately, it's hard to find, so you'd be better off looking for a big CPS gun like the CPS 2500, and then modifying it to have a section of connected hose trailing in the river. 
Edited By Spinner on 1115448751
Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 6:58 am
by SSCBen
The easiest thing to do in my opinion would be to take a normal water gun and modify it to have a tube to trail in the river. Would only be a matter of removing the reservoir and attaching some tubing.
If you're looking for the absolute best (and you'll hear this often from myself), try building your own water gun to the exact specifications you need. I can guarantee it will be everything you want. Links sections have good starts, though my site people consider the best.
Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 7:37 am
by trekkie00
Just an idea, but would it also be possible to modify the Devastator's attachment to the backpack? Just take out the hose, attach a longer piece to the end, and drag the other end in the water?
The Devastator is supposed to be a very good water gun, and this might make it work better and easier in the water.
Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 10:59 am
by isoaker
With a river as the main water source, I'd recommend leaning towards piston/large syringe-type soakers as you can just fill over the side of the raft. However, if you need to consider the capabilities of an 8-year-old, a water blaster than can be pressurized to blast as opposed to just relying on raw strength may be easier to get better performance from.
Water battles while moving at a decent speed also mean blasters with smaller streams will have a tougher time hitting their mark. Based on soakers available in 2005, I'd recommend blasters like the Aquapack Devastator or the Water Warriors Blazer set on a larger nozzle setting to get the best range with decent power. The Flash Flood is a good soaker, but its more limited range may prove to be a problem depending on distances the streams need to cover between rafts. Range becomes even more important if you happen to be in the chasing raft as opposed to the leading one.
Piston-type soakers can also get some good range depending on the user. Need to know a little more details to be able to recommend well.
Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 11:10 am
by Adrian
Welcome to the forums! We hope you enjoy your stay.
Piston guns would be great, since you're filling out of the river, but since you've got an 8 year old, I'm going to parrot Isoaker's advice and recommend the Blazer. Easy to handle and it'll get good range for the amount of muscle put into pumping. I'll also recommend a syringe type water-purification system for filling right out of the river. I don't think river-water would be particularly kind to soaker internals.
Adrian
Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 12:34 pm
by Wild Boys
I'd have to go with a Blazer too, even though I don't have one but want one from what I have heard it is all positive.
Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 2:08 pm
by isoaker
^ As Adrian noted (and as I wanted to say,but forgot to type), one needs to ensure debris-free water before loading up a soaker both to protect the soaker and to prevent unintentional injury or anyone shot by the stream.
Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 7:53 pm
by emperor_james
Assuming (as others have) that the realm of large, hard to find, and expensive soakers can be delved into, then I would change my answer and say the CPS 3200. It already has tubing, so no modding is neccesary to ensure an unlimited supply of water, and it is very powerful and has a large CPS chamber.
I would not, however, reccomend the Blazer. Though it is alright, the power is rather minimal, and it requires a lot of pumping to gain sufficient pressure.
Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 12:25 pm
by dlisted
Thanks for all of your replies.
Couple of additional facts--not worried on debris in water--portion of Colorado is south of Parker, Arizona and dams--water flow is dependant upon how much water is being released.
Second, we will have standard super soakers that the kids will be able to dip into river and suck out water quickly. I am looking for something for dad. Last year when I did this I got killed by other dads with powerful water cannons.
Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 1:33 pm
by Wild Boys
What powerful water cannons did they have? If you knew which ones they were we could help you find one that is more powerful than there's.
:bm2700:
Posted: Mon May 09, 2005 3:10 am
by Spinner
In that case, you either need a Stream Machine or a CPS gun such as the 2000, 2500, 1500, and so on. That should outpower most opposition. 
Posted: Mon May 09, 2005 5:48 am
by Wild Boys
Ah the Stream Machine guns from what I have seen look ok. The is a double barrelled one I have seen that shoots good.
But if again, if you really want power go with what Spinner said and go for ones like the CPS 1500/1700, 2000, 2500.etc. 
Edited By Wild Boys on 1115635776
Posted: Mon May 09, 2005 2:20 pm
by emperor_james
From what he just said, I'm thinking that a 21k would do well. I just finished mine and it is awesome. I'd like to see the others produce something better than that.
Of course, a collosussed CPS 3200 would also be nice...
Posted: Mon May 09, 2005 2:25 pm
by Wild Boys
King_Soaker from SSCentral is selling modded CPS 2100's on eBay now at the moment. But I don't know if you use eBay dlisted? 
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 6:17 am
by JJJJJJ272
monster xl for you, i don't think most other people will want to go anywhere near you, although they are expensive and rare. if you don't want to look a lot and spend lots of money, get a cps cannon. you'll still have to look a lot but not spend as much money... otherwise you're out of luck because the other dads most likely had cps cannons.
for your son, i'd reccomend any 2004 or 2005 model. although they are not the best, some are pretty good like triple aggresor. the cps models would be better, but harder to find. since he's only 8, a cps cannon might be too big and heavy, but it might not be. if you get a 2004/2005, get a bigger model (i reccomend flash flood or triple agressor)
Edited By JJJJJJ272 on 1119095352
Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 8:31 pm
by aphemushroom
Like most people are saying, older CPS guns are great if you can afford the money for them. If not, then the 2005 guns will always work fine.