We have been quite intrigued with the German Lettman kayaks for some time and have imported a couple of them. The Nordstern, quite typical, is available for paddlers here in Southern California to try. Others are welcome to fly here or (perhaps more exciting) to Germany! We find them more suitable for fairly calm water rather than big seas and high winds (6'+ and 35 knot +) and with fairly light loads. With a 180 lb paddler and a kayak loaded for four days, in those heavy conditions the kayak was difficult to handle and keep on course, even with the skeg fully deployed in the rudder position. On the other hand, the boat is marvelous (fast, responsive, playful and easy to handle for normal conditions coastal paddling and surf landings/launches. With the skeg deployed as a rudder, it really feels as though someone is pushing the stern around during turns. Quite fun. The hatches, with their turn-know lever system, are fully water tight even in tough conditions. Joanne Turner -- Southwind Kayak Center, Inc. 17855 Sky Park Circle #A, Irvine, CA 92614 U.S.A. 714-261-0200 or 800-SOUTHWIND (800-768-8494) info_at_southwindkayaks.com doug_at_southwindkayaks.com joanne_at_southwindkayaks.com http://www.southwindkayaks.com/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sun Sep 27 1998 - 10:39:58 PDT
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