Re: [Paddlewise] Re ballast

From: Mark Zen <canoeist_at_netbox.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 10:42:38 -0700 (MST)
On Mon, 16 Feb 1998 rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote:

>>
>>John Winters wrote:
>>
>>> If we consider just the stability issue it is easy to see that people will
>>> feel more comfortable in a properly loaded kayak due to the added stability
>>> of gear etc. The problem arises when they venture out lightly loaded and
>>> unaware that the characteristics of their boat are now significantly
>>> altered. If the critical conditions are encountered the mix is right for an
>>> accident and the paddler, is unaware that he or she has done something
>>> wrong.
>>
>>What I am getting out of all this discussion is the following.  Unless
>>you are absolutely certain that you will just about always use a
>>particular kayak loaded with lots of gear for camping or other uses
>>(e.g. beer runs, smuggling Canadian ballast rock across the 49th
>>parallel, etc.), it is best to buy the boat as if it were intended for
>>day use only.

agreed, and the same rule really applies to canoes as well. buy it for the
most common/often use, and realize you'll sacrifice _something_ when you
use it for those other things.

>>
>>You will always be able to take just about any day boat for at least a
>>one-week camping trip.  That is unless you weigh near the maximum
>>payload for the boat, which in itself is not a good idea anyway.  Even
>>the smallest of good day paddling kayaks, I am thinking of the
>>Feathercraft K-Light, can be used for a long camping trip by the average
>>weight paddler.  There is plenty of room underdeck for storing camping
>>gear, food and water.  I know I have done it and written about it and
>>heard from others who have done the same.
>>
>>ralph diaz
>>
>>-- 

what is the "average weight" kayaker?? i would have said they weigh less
than i, but there sure have been a lot of posts from us 200+ pounders
[91kg]!!

mark

#------canoeist[at]netbox[dot]com--------------------------------------
mark zen                      o,    o__              o_/|   o_.
po box 474                   </     [\/              [\_|   [\_\
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#~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~~~~_at_~~~~~
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http://www.diac.com/~zen/mark  [personal]
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Received on Mon Feb 16 1998 - 09:44:22 PST

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