Re: [Paddlewise] my boat(s)

> From: Keith Kaste <kkaste_at_slip.net>

> 
> This is potentially a great thread. I am keeping a copy of everyone's
> post who responds to the "what do you paddle" request.  I will compile a
> summary of all these responses and publish it back to the list for
> everyone.  

This is a good idea, Keith.  After you put your summary together, I'll
set it all up on the PaddleWise website in the articles section along
with the sponsons thread.  I think I'll also add the tent articles and
ballasts, too.  Great topics and some really nice contributions from
this group.

My primary boat is a plastic Sea Lion.  Why?  

- Manufacturer's reputation and warranty
- Appearance and feel (handles confused and beam seas nicely as well as
    easily carves a turn)
- Price
- Don't have to worry about cracking it on the rocks when rock gardening 
   or landing in surf
- Large hatches
- Resale value for a plastic sea kayak
- After four years, bulkheads are still watertight even through a lot of
   use and some abuse (I've heard a lot of complaints, guess I've been 
   lucky).   

Drawbacks:

- No chines, tends to broach (I suppose the lack of chines may contribute
   as I paddled two boats with heavy chines that surfed nicely in beach
   landings and in following seas but were almost impossible to turn and
   the designer thought it was a plus that they required a rudder to 
   turn  ??? )
- Heavy
- Weathercocks (sometimes requires rudder in quarter winds)

Will I ever sell it?  Probably not :-)  Too much like a pet.  But still
looking for the "perfect rudderless boat."  

Just my .02

Cheers,

Jackie
                                 _                        _   _
       _   _                     \\                      / \0/ \
      / \0/ \                     \\                        "
         "                         `\         
                               ,sSSs,\,      
                  )\w/(       ,sSS..)/{)    
                  <<..>       sSSS_v)/ \   
                   )<*>      sSS[(\_]___\
               <(_/_o_o_     'sS[_`-+---+)  
           \----+-------+-------'---`-----\-------------')
 ~~~~~~~ ~~jf ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~\~ ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~
        o                                   \
              o                             \\     o      o
                                             \\  o
           o                                  `
                 (\                                o
          o   >jf:-)       o
                 (/                               o

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
***************************************************************************