[Paddlewise] What I (we) Paddle

OK, I've been lurking for a little over a week and wish to join the "what I
paddle" input.

My wife and I have 4 boats, no make that 5

First the boat that never gets used any more :-(  :  A 17 foot Coleman
canoe that I bought really cheap, and when the kids were little, got us out
on lakes and streams.  Performance of a bathtub afloat but we certainally
had a lot of fun in its day.

Next, my wife and I began in kayaking with two MI 415's by MI Designs (UK).
 Basic entry level (415 cm long) plastic boats that, again, were low cost
but provided many enjoyable experiences, especially when we added the
molded skegs to help us newbees track better.  These are now our guest
boats.  (You never sell boats, right? You just get a bigger house, garage
or whatever.)

Next, I got a fiberglass Current Designs Solstice GT.  A biggg boat (almost
18' long incl rudder by 24+" beam).  I haven't been camping with it yet but
this boat surely will hold probably twice what my backpacking backpack will
hold.  I sometime think that I might have gotten a little better
performance with the GTS model (about a 22" beam) but I must say that I've
really enjoyed the secure feeling that I get from my boat in nasty
conditions.  Especially when it's really cold.  As Martin Doerfler and I
have said before, if I lost this boat today, I'd go right out and get
another one (if possible) tomorrow.  Although I have a rudder (and glad of
it), I only seem to use it to gain stability in following seas or long
crossings with a substantial cross wind.  The boat turns nicely when leaned
without the rudder.

Finally, my wife has aquired a slightly used Wilderness Systems plastic
Sealution II.  We're really not sure yet how it will perform for her since
we got it late last fall and she is not yet a cold water paddler, but we
have high hopes.  She loves the fit and we are inticipating some nice trips
next season. 

For the future (aka wish list):
 
	Home built, skin covered (nylon) single baidarka
	Home built, wood double
	Folding boat for trips, etc.

Yes, I think I'm gonna need a bigger garage.

			Bill Leonhardt, East Patchogue, Long Island, NY
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