Re: [Paddlewise] What do you paddle?

In a message dated 98-02-15 22:20:06 EST, you write:

<< I was wandering what kinda kayaks yall paddle and why.
  >>
My wife and I have 10 kayaks which are:

A.     Coaster  (1) Bought used. Now very used, renamed "Battle Boat". Great
boat! Easy maneuvering and good tracking for a 13'-6" boat. We keep this one
for beginners to use. The Coaster is legendary. Nuff said.

B.     Valley Anas Acuta (2) We love 'em. British boat with Greenland style.
Hard chines. Great rough water boat and feels stable for a 20" wide kayak.
Good rolling boat. Beautiful lines. Love the low flat back for lay back rolls.
Not a bad surfing boat either.

C.    Greenland skin boats (2) I made these and they are great performing
kayaks. Usually put them on display and we don't paddle these when we need to
take a lot of stuff. There are no hatches since they are traditional kayaks
and the wood framing takes up a lot of room inside. They sit very low in the
water so it's a wet ride. We took these out the notorious Barnegat Inlet and
were impressed with how well they took the large chop in the "race".

D.    Wilderness systems Piccolo  (1) This is a kid's kayak but a lot of
people get these for rolling as we did. Many of the trick rolls are easier to
do in these. We also use it for beginners when we are teaching.

E.       NDK Romany (2) We tried these and were so impressed with the rolling
abilities that we ordered two. Almost as easy as the Piccolo. Here in the NJ,
NY, Conn. area they seem to be one of the hottest items. I know a lot of
people who have just bought them and love 'em. Don't like the retractable skeg
system which is similar to the Anas Acuta. They use the bunji's. Much prefer
the system I've seen for the North Shore with the lever on the side. This
doesn't allow the skeg to drop down more than a few inches but that's all you
really need.

F.   Prijon Fly. (2)  We just got these whitewater rodeo boats to play in the
ocean surf. They are much more maneuverable in the surf than using the sea
kayaks.

   Which are our favorites? Probably the Romanys. Beautiful, well thought out,
great roller, handles rough water really well.

Ray and Margaret Killen
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