RE: [Paddlewise] a pretty basic question

> In Gabrials case, there was no mention of duck decoys or other uses other
> then the pure enjoyment of paddling. This, added to the local dealer's
> recent statement that he was unable to "give an Edisto away" prompted me to
> suggest a higher performance boat.

I didn't pick up on what his purpose was for a kayak.  I pointed him 
at the log file I keep for each trip out, and he enjoyed the read.  I 
missed the giving an Edisto away comment.  If someone wants to 
give one away, call me!  <grin>.   Only the Chinook really tempts 
me in a different sort of way; though the Chinook is to big for some 
of the spots I put the Edisto in.  Sometimes the Edisto is a little on 
the big side; but usually manageable. [narrow bayous at high 
current]

> Out-grow means that a sleek kayak which seems to offer everything a novice
> may ever desire may soon become a plastic bathtub with a rudder. It's
> imperative that any new Kayaker paddle as many boats as possible for as long
> as possible before buying a boat.

Heres a thought for you though.  The Edisto (and similar style 
boats) runs about $900 - $1100.   Used/undamaged, you shouldn't
have to much difficulty unloading it for $500.  Thats a loss of $400 
to $600; maybe even getting a year of beginner use out of it in the
process.  Most if not all your gear is transferable between the 
Edisto and the Nordkapp [cept the skirt probably].    If you start 
with a less expensive boat, a necessary upgrade is less costly, 
than if you buy the $2000 boat to start with, and determine that you 
are going to smash it into oyster reefs a dozen times a year.

Another thing I've observed, but not talked alot about, is people 
having these sexy boats, and then putt-putting along the shoreline 
at 2kts most of the time.  Like buying the ferrari to drive at 20mph 
back and forth to the grocery store.   If I get a ferrari, I'm paying for 
track time, and I'm gonna find out how many tires I can burn in a 
day.   Maybe if these folks had spent the difference on VHF, GPS, 
charts, and epirb they'd actually get out more in the less expensive 
boat.   Not sure about that of course, and you certainly can't 
actually stop and ask folks a question like that without getting a 
defensive answer....

The other thing that bothers my thinking is that while these folks 
get a sleek fast boat, it seems most trip planners find a 20 mile
day a bit over the top.  Yet I've been perfectly happy with the 
lumpier Edisto on the two long solos I've done over the last year.  
Routinely, someone will announce a trip, and the start location 
sounds fun, then I find out the grand total mileage is all of 6 miles 
or 8 miles.  Exactly what kind of trip is that?   Don't 
misunderstand, I'm not trying to suggest folks shouldn't get the 
sleek boats, but rather, that maybe they should think about what 
they are going to do with/to it; before selecting the boat that simply 
feels the best.  The ferrari [I happen to actually prefer celicas] feels 
best to just about everyone; but few actually want to own one.


Richard Walker
Houston, TX
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