[Paddlewise] What I paddle

Lurking no more since starting to follow this list a week or two ago, I
have 4 boats, paddle 1.
Boat 1) a Current Designs Solstice GT, Kevlar. This boat fits me like a
glove (6'4" 180) which is a thread missing from some of the boat
discussions, what is great for one is too small for another and too big for
another. My thoughts on the ballast discussion is that if you need ballast,
you are in the wrong boat.
The GT tracks wonderfully, loves into the wind, surfs well, loves a beam
wind and will naturally tack to beam or straight to the wind, weathers a
bit but easily overcome with a sweep to the high side or a slight lean or
the ruuder if so inclined. I have been in this boat for 4 years and would
buy another tomorrow in a heart beat if necessary. It has gotten me through
many ugly changes in conditions with out ever putting it over
unintentionally.

Boat 2) A composite Surge,  my guest boat or for my wife who is an
occasional paddler, also used by my 9 year old son ( wife 5'8, 140, son 4'8
85)
The Surge is a hand built boat from Maine, I don't remember the builder,
mine is second hand from a friend, Mostly kevlar, some glass and carbon,
aprox 37 lbs, 17'6" x 23" . Handles great, no rudder,. tracks and turns
well. Loves a good lean but stable enough for my 9 y.o. who has 2 years of
paddling a 7 years of riding under his belt. This is a great boat but I
don't fit into it.

Boat 3)  A Folbot Greenland II. An extra boat and troop carrier. I take the
kids, sometimes 3 small ones at a time for short trips, I have also used
this as a single cargo carrier on short (2-3 mi) camping trips, never used
it as a double with another adult so can't comment on it's performance
under standard conditions. I also use it for two adult guests, virtually
untippable and therefor useful for new kayakers though I prefer to start
people off in the surge or GT.

Boat 4) An "Epi-brat", Englehart products in Ohio, a training boat for my
kids. Now used by a 6 year old 4' 55 lbs. Tracks well, extremely stable,
sit-on-top boat that allows a child to get a handle on paddling and then
feel the instability of a rolling platform. I have given beginner lessons
to at least 20 kids in my neighborhood with this boat. My youngest should
be in a real boat in a year or so so a for sale sign will likely be out.




Martin Doerfler, MD
Asociate Professor of Clinical Medicine
NYU School of Medicine


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