Anyone have any experience paddling a Current Designs Slipstream or its big brother, the Gulfstream? tdittrich *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I just paddled the Gulfstream for the weekend, although I never got into anything too rough. I really liked the boat, although I wouldn't say that I liked it enough to want to buy one. It has an excellent feel in rough water -- it seemed very stable and forgiving. I would call it a cadilac ride -- very comfortable in all conditions, but not exactly a sportscar. I think most people would be quite happy with this boat. I was able to make it spin and turn fast enough with a moderate amount of lean. My complaints were... it does not need a skeg, because it has very neutral handling in all but the wors weathercocking conditions. I was able to control the very minor weathercocking with only a slight hip tilt and slight corrective strokes. The skeg box takes up a lot of room in the hold, which bugs me. Also, the second bulkhead for the day hatch severely cramps the flexibility of storage space (couldn't bring the dutch over). If I had a gulfstream for myself, I would cut out the second aft bulkhead, and probably try to order one without the skeg. The boat also seemed a little slow for its length. As far as I can tell, the P&H Capella, also designed by Derek Hutchinson, has a very similar hull. I like the handling of the fiberglass Capella a little better than the gulfstream. Cheers, Kevin ___________________ / Kevin Whilden \ |Dept. of Geosciences \___ |University of Washington \ |kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu| \________________________/ On Thu, 24 Sep 1998, Tom Dittrich wrote: > Anyone have any experience paddling a Current Designs Slipstream or its > big brother, the Gulfstream? > > tdittrich > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Kevin, Regarding the P&H Capella: If I remember correctly, you have had a plastic P&H Capella, and apparantly have had some experience with the fiberglass version as well. Can you comment about similarities/differences in fit, performance, etc? I recently had an opportunity to try my first British kayak - Romany Explorer. I was quite impressed with its secondary stability, and maneuverability for a 17'6" boat. If you've had any experience with this boat or the 16' version, I'd appreciate your comments relative to the Capella. Thanks, Norman SF Bay area Thanks, Norman SF Bay area K. Whilden wrote: > As far as I can tell, the P&H Capella, also designed by Derek Hutchinson, has a very similar hull. I like the handling of the fiberglass Capella a little better than the gulfstream. > > Cheers, > Kevin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Yes, I used to own the plastic Capella, and I really loved it for a plastic boat. Only problem was that it had slight tracking and weathercocking problems, even with the skeg down. This probably due to the difficulty of translating a good fiberglass design into plastic -- the plastic version seems to contract upon cooling and always has a little too much rocker. Both the plastic Capella and the plastic Looksha IV both have weather cocking problems relative to the glass versions that I have paddled. back to the question at hand... the glass version has no tracking or weathercocking problems when using the skeg, and has excellent construction and attention to detail. I like the off-center rear hatch which makes it easy to store spare paddle and still access the hold. Maneuverability and secondary stability are excellent. It has a very sporty feel as well, which I prefer over the feel of the Romany 18 which I've paddled only at symposiums, and the Current Designs Gulfstream, which I've taken on a 3-day trip. Bottom line however, is these are all excellent boats, and you should try them all before deciding which one feels best. You might have some trouble tracking down a glass Capella if you are not on the east coast, but George Gronseth has one in Seattle. Cheers, Kevin PS, I might mention that my current favorite boat is the Pygmy Arctic Tern, their newest design. It handles just as well as the above, but does not need a skeg. I am almost finished building mine, and I'll give a good review of it in a month or two. On Tue, 29 Sep 1998, STrum04 wrote: > Kevin, > > Regarding the P&H Capella: > > If I remember correctly, you have had a plastic P&H Capella, and > apparantly have had some experience with the fiberglass version as well. > Can you comment about similarities/differences in fit, performance, etc? > > I recently had an opportunity to try my first British kayak - Romany > Explorer. I was quite impressed with its secondary stability, and > maneuverability for a 17'6" boat. If you've had any experience with > this boat or the 16' version, I'd appreciate your comments relative to > the Capella. > > Thanks, > > Norman > SF Bay area > Thanks, > > Norman > SF Bay area > > > > K. Whilden wrote: > > > As far as I can tell, the P&H Capella, also designed by Derek Hutchinson, has a very similar hull. I like the handling of the fiberglass Capella a little better than the gulfstream. > > > > Cheers, > > Kevin > > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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