Re: [Paddlewise] FW: FW: FW: Speed and short boats

At 09:53 AM 10/14/98 -0700, John Lull wrote:
>
>
>John Winters wrote,
>
>Designers, like boats, come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and
objectives....etc.
>
>John,
>Thanks for your very astute answer to my question.  I'm sure you are right
on all counts.  Sea kayaking covers a very wide spectrum which is one of
the great things about it.  No designer can hope to please everyone; keep
depositing those checks!  I really don't care if anyone designs something
to compete with the Coaster, I've already got one.  In fact, if someone did
surpass the Coaster design, I'd have to shell out the bucks for another
boat!  I was just curious about the whole situation.
>
>Dan mentioned paddling in rock gardens in a "long" sea kayak (what kind?).
 Yes, I know a skilled paddler can paddle a longer boat in rocks and surf.
Several of us used to do it (with varying degrees of success) before we
discovered shorter boats.  The bottom line is, if it works for you, great.
But give it a try in the Coaster, then let me know what you think.  Have we
exhausted this subject yet?
>
>John Lull
>


Sitting here on the Southeast coast of the US and reading all this about
the Coaster and rock gardens I can see why yall might like short boats. In
the swamps here they are nice also but unless you paddle the swamps all the
time they are practically useless. Unless for a vertical challenged person
who would fit perfect in a small kayak anything under 16 ft is a pain to
paddle with. They are forward challenged ( slow). I do not know if it is
because the persons size and or strength has anything to do with it or not
. I like a 19ft kayak but I am kinda large. We do not have any rocks ,
Canadian or other wise just a lot of beautiful sand.The only rock gardens
we have are in front of our houses. Back to small kayaks.We have many women
here who are vertically challenged and the only kayaks that will fit them
and paddle well are wilderness systems piccolo, tchaika and sparrow hawk.
With the comments from one woman about groovy bruises from the Coaster what
other smaller kayaks out there that are not tubs. ?? 


Dana
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