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From: Lloyd Bowles <lbowles_at_bmts.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] New Member Intro
Date: Mon, 05 Oct 1998 11:24:55 -0400
Hi,
I just joined PaddleWise & would like to introduce myself. I have
paddled for about 30 years, starting in home-made kayaks. The first ones
were skin & frame (scrap wood & 6 mil plastic), then an 18 foot strp
tandem & a 16 foot plywood, all designed by myself & all having some
rather interesting handling characteristics.

Eight years ago I bought a tandem tripping canoe & later a solo
flatwater cruiser. This winter I plan to build a stitch&glue solo canoe
that John Winters designed for me.

I like week long flatwater trips in Algonquin with friends or my teenage
kids. 

Please take a look at my homepage.
-- 
Lloyd Bowles
The Mad Canoeist
"Keep the open side up!"
http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/clearstreets/358/index.html
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From: Larry Bliven <foxhill_at_shore.intercom.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] New Member Intro
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1998 06:24:20 -0400
>Please take a look at my homepage.
>--
>Lloyd Bowles
>The Mad Canoeist
>"Keep the open side up!"
>http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/clearstreets/358/index.html
>***************************************************************************


hi Lloyd,

Cool photos. sleeping on snow by the streams look like real fun...and the
sky up there is so blue.

do you use a normal camera or a special one that's conditioned for water?
have you worked with video?
how mad are you?

bye bye bliven

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From: Lloyd Bowles <lbowles_at_bmts.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] New Member Intro
Date: Tue, 06 Oct 1998 16:06:31 -0400
Larry Bliven wrote:
> 
> hi Lloyd,
> 
> Cool photos. sleeping on snow by the streams look like real fun...and the
> sky up there is so blue.
> 
It is real fun.  Want to join me for a week of it this winter?  :-)

> do you use a normal camera or a special one that's conditioned for water?

I have a Samsung pocket 35 with 35-70mm zoom, autofocus & autoexposure.
It isn't waterproof or even water resistant.

> have you worked with video?

No, that takes talent. I just rely on taking lots of photos & keeping a
few. Once I scan them in, cropping can help turn an ordinary photo into
something I'm proud of.
 
> how mad are you?
 
How mad do you want me to be?

-- 
Lloyd Bowles
The Mad Canoeist
"Keep the open side up!"
http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/clearstreets/358/index.html
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From: Bill Leonhardt <leonhardt_at_BNLDAG.AGS.BNL.GOV>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] New Member Intro
Date: Tue, 06 Oct 1998 09:57:46 -0400
At 11:24 AM 10/5/98 -0400, Lloyd Bowles wrote:

> This winter I plan to build a stitch&glue solo canoe
>that John Winters designed for me.
>
>I like week long flatwater trips in Algonquin with friends or my teenage
>kids. 
>
Hi Lloyd,

Welcome!

Since you've indicated that you've built and are building kayaks, you might
also be interested in the following list:

		baidarka_at_lists.intelenet.net

You join it the same way as paddlewise.  The list covers mainly skin on
frame kayak construction but, like any list, wanders from time to time.
Your experience could add to that list.

Again, welcome,

Bill Leonhardt

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From: Gabriel L Romeu <romeug_at_erols.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] a pretty basic question
Date: Tue, 06 Oct 1998 18:27:09 -0400
I have been on the list for almost 3/4 a year now, finally paddled a
boat a month ago (how is that for research). I had no idea what  many of
the posts were about, but now understand the passions for kayaking
exhibited here (starting to understand many of the posts as well).  I
have been out 5 times, once for a 6 hour trip which reinforced the need
to have one of these contraptions.  Also had a capsize so I experienced
an assisted rescue.
Now the question is what boat to buy- can't afford the rental rates.
Everybody has told me to try them out, but being new, I am not sensitive
to the nuances you more experienced paddlers can percieve in a boat.

The parameters I am dealing with:

Somewhat inexpensive, this is rather subjective I know.
Something to develop good technique- am interested in learning to roll
after developing my basic strokes.
I would like to do it fairly often, lots of small rivers and creeks here
as well as a short drive to a bay and the Delaware river.  Also a couple
of fine lakes.  (central NJ)
Durability is a major factor in these rivers and creeks, also must be
able to lift the thing over fallen logs.
Something that I may want to keep after upgrading, either to loan
friends or to do bang around stuff.

After trying some 8-10 different boats, some within my parameters, some
far too expensive, I thought my entry level boat should be the Breeze by
Current Design.  Small enough to navigate the waters around here, stable
in the 30 mph winds I was in last Thurs night.

My kayak store just threw a wrench in the works by getting a stack of
demo boats at a very good price from Dagger, the Edisto seems to spec
out very similar to the Breeze.
I hope to demo this boat with the Breeze on Thursday, what excactly
should I be looking for (as a begginer).  Tracking seems obvious, this
is what attracted me to the Breeze.  Anything else?

By the way, if it helps any, the store's webpage is
http://members.aol.com/Froggie405 where there are links to the
manufacturer's sites if specs help, I am a bit clueless except for
length and hull shape. 

Like I said, I am a bit of a nut about research and value the knowledge
of the experienced...
-- 
gabriel l romeu
http://members.aol.com/romeug     studio furniture
http://members.aol.com/romeugp    paintings, photos, prints, etc.
http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR  a daily photo journal

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From: Bob Denton <gulfstream_at_flinet.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] a pretty basic question
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1998 08:58:56 -0400
I would recommend the longest, narrowest boat you feel you will be able to
manage after a few tippy weeks of learning. The Storm and the Dagger (with
the integral rudder) look like good choices.

I suspect you will quickly outgrow a boat like the edisto.

cya

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From: R. Walker <rww_at_mailbox.neosoft.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] a pretty basic question
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1998 08:58:29 -0500
> I would recommend the longest, narrowest boat you feel you will be able to
> manage after a few tippy weeks of learning. The Storm and the Dagger (with
> the integral rudder) look like good choices.
>
> I suspect you will quickly outgrow a boat like the edisto.

Long and narrows are often much more expensive than the Edisto.
Besides what does "outgrow" mean?   Not trying to be overly 
sensitive here, given that I paddle an Edisto....  Could I comfortably
paddle an 18', 22" beam boat.  Sure.   Would it be faster than my
Edisto?  Sure.  Is that difference worth the extra $500 - $800 in
hull cost?  Not for me.  Could I pile a couple dozen duck decoys on 
the back deck of such a narrow boat?  Not reasonably.  Could I 
bang into an oyster reef in such a narrow, deeper draft boat without 
crying?  Nope.  Is there anywhere I could go in the narrow boat that 
I couldn't go in the Edisto?  I can't think of any.   And given the 
price difference, there are things I'm *willing* to do with the Edisto 
that I wouldn't be willing to do with the sexy boat.  I can afford to 
replace the Edisto hull every 2-3 years.  I'd have to make the sexy 
hull last 5 to get similar value.  I got gadgets mounted all over the 
thing, I've got a million gashes in the bottom, it rides on my car 
200+ days a year, and I'll drag it up and down river banks 
anywhere, anytime.   And in 3 years, I might just run the Texas 
Water Safari in it; if it gets eaten by the San Marcos in a bad 
mood, then thats ok.  A $2000 long, narrow, glass boat would have
to be treated much differently, and one person trying to get an 18' 
boat down the San Marcos might be quite an interesting thing to 
watch.

My father owns a high speed bass boat, and a big pontoon boat.  
He fishes just about every day, guides occassionally, competes in 
tournaments, etc.  Guess what boat he uses all the time.  Yep, the 
pontoon boat.  You wanna catch fish, or do you wanna look cool?

In the end, in order to avoid the boat owners maximum of being 
"happy only on the day you buy it, and the day you sell it." you 
have to ask what is the PURPOSE of the boat, and how much per 
year do you want to spend on a hull to meet that purpose. Then go 
out and find a boat that fits.  The guy that wants to do weeklong 
trips in SE Alaska and will spend $500 a year on a hull is going to 
choose a completely different boat than the guy that wants to dive 
off of the beaches of Florida and has $250 a year to spend.


Richard Walker
Houston, TX
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From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] a pretty basic question
Date: Wed, 07 Oct 1998 08:01:31 -0700
R. Walker wrote:
> 
> > I would recommend the longest, narrowest boat you feel you will be able to
> > manage after a few tippy weeks of learning. 
> >
> > I suspect you will quickly outgrow a boat like the Edisto.
> 
> Long and narrows are often much more expensive than the Edisto.
> Besides what does "outgrow" mean?   Not trying to be overly
> sensitive here, given that I paddle an Edisto....  Could I comfortably
> paddle an 18', 22" beam boat.  Sure.   Would it be faster than my
> Edisto?  Sure.  Is that difference worth the extra $500 - $800 in
> hull cost?  Not for me. 
[snip]
> In the end, in order to avoid the boat owners maximum of being
> "happy only on the day you buy it, and the day you sell it." you
> have to ask what is the PURPOSE of the boat, and how much per
> year do you want to spend on a hull to meet that purpose. Then go
> out and find a boat that fits.  The guy that wants to do weeklong
> trips in SE Alaska and will spend $500 a year on a hull is going to
> choose a completely different boat than the guy that wants to dive
> off of the beaches of Florida and has $250 a year to spend.

I'll add my data point to Richard's:  Five years ago I bought a barely
used Aquaterra Spectrum, with rudder, to use as a loaner for friends who
paddled with me, for $800.  By almost anybody's analysis, the Spectrum
is just about the least able "sea kayak" around.  Turned out my SO was
the paddler who used it the most.  We went all over with that thing,
including some waters remote and wild.  We had a lot of fun, and she did
not know what a "quality" boat was like to paddle.  I sold it this
spring, for $600, to a lady across the river, who intends to use it for
the same purpose:  a loaner for her kids/grandkids/etc.  The SO now has
a "real" sea kayak, and is pleased as punch with her 18-foot, sleek,
glass wonder.  Sigh ... now she's faster than I am!

What did this five-year relationship with the lowly Spectrum cost me? 
Do the math.  Best value I ever will get out of a boat, I think.

Oh, yes, people in wild and remote places snickered at it and made jokes
about it behind their hands as we paddled up to them.  Oh, bother, as
Pooh would say!

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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From: Bob Denton <gulfstream_at_flinet.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] a pretty basic question
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1998 11:48:44 -0400
Dave: Suppose you had purchased the 18 foot sleek glass wonder five years
ago, your SO would have had even more fun paddling?

cya

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From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] a pretty basic question
Date: Wed, 07 Oct 1998 16:25:48 -0700
Bob Denton wrote:
> 
> Dave: Suppose you had purchased the 18 foot sleek glass wonder five years
> ago, your SO would have had even more fun paddling?

Suppose I had had the $2000 bucks to do that 5 years ago.  It is a moot
question.  I did not have the bucks.

If someone else had laid a sleek 18-footer on her/us, I 'spect she would
have enjoyed immensely whupping me to the line.  My ego would be so
damaged, though, I might have been forced into an innapropriate
relationship with an even better yak!  <G>

BTW, I'll take a sleek 18-footer off the hands of anybody who wants to
let me do the converse experiment, starting today!
-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR

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From: R. Walker <rww_at_mailbox.neosoft.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] a pretty basic question
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1998 11:47:57 -0500
> 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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From: Mattson, Timothy G <timothy.g.mattson_at_intel.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] a pretty basic question
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1998 10:17:25 -0700
I wasn't going to weigh in, but I think I need to put a good word in for
plastic, high tonnage sea kayaks as great starter boats.

I bought a plastic Aquaterra Sea Lion as my first Kayak.  I fanatically took
to the sport and within a couple years purchased a Dancer XT white water
boat, a Seda Glider (kevlar and REAL  fast), and a frisky Feathercraft
Khatsalano.  I have kept my Sea Lion, though, and have no intention of ever
selling it. There are times I paddle in places where I intend to abuse my
boat.  I travel on shallow rivers where hitting rocks is routine.  I paddle
in the surf where I know the boat will get seriously munched.   Its
wonderful to have a boat that I can freely abuse!

The Sea Lion - partially due to its weight, mostly due to its design - is
also a very stable boat.  If I know I'm going to paddle a huge distance and
want to stay upright even when I'm getting a bit sloppy (like on my recent
Eugene to Salem paddle), its great to have a forgiving boat.

So I recommend that people new to this sport seriously consider starting out
with an inexpensive, forgiving  plastic boat.  You can always sell it when
your skills pass up what the boat can deliver, but you might find, as I did,
that it fills an important niche in your fleet.  

--Tim

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	R. Walker [SMTP:rww_at_mailbox.neosoft.com]
> Sent:	Wednesday, October 07, 1998 9:48 AM
> To:	paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Subject:	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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From: Mel Grindol <grindol_at_my-dejanews.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] a pretty basic question
Date: Wed, 07 Oct 1998 11:34:52 -0700
On Wed, 7 Oct 1998 10:17:25    Mattson, Timothy G wrote:
>
>I wasn't going to weigh in, but I think I need to put a good word in for
>plastic, high tonnage sea kayaks as great starter boats.
>
>So I recommend that people new to this sport seriously consider starting out
>with an inexpensive, forgiving  plastic boat.  You can always sell it when
>your skills pass up what the boat can deliver, but you might find, as I did,
>that it fills an important niche in your fleet.  
>

I second that heartily.  Since I started this sport this summer I bought a couple of plastic boats, a Looksha IV for me and a Perception Shadow for my wife.  It has been a learning experience I'm glad we're doing in boats that can take some abuse.  The action that causes the most abuse is launching and landing (getting in and getting out).  There have been some "events" that have happened that will (hopefully) never happen again.  The abuse the boats took during those events was a lot more than I would want to do to a fiberglass or wooden S&G boat.

Probably in a year or so we will upgrade to either fiberglass or build a couple of Coho's.  By then, hopefully, we will be better able to control (not that we're bad now) our boats and will have learned enough to avoid all of the bone-headed stuff we've done to the plastic boats.  And I will probably keep the plastic boats for playing/loaning.

In the mean time we are having a blast in the plastic boats.  Joined a float trip down the Kansas river two weeks ago and will probably join another one this weekend.  It was mostly canoes so we got a lot of questions from the rest of the people.

Mel
---
There are three types of people, those who can count and those who can't.

PS: Thanks for all of the advice I have received about training schools.  Time to get some brochures, do some research, and make a decision in the next few months.


-----== Sent via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==-----
http://www.dejanews.com/  Easy access to 50,000+ discussion forums
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From: Gabriel L Romeu <romeug_at_erols.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] a pretty basic question
Date: Wed, 07 Oct 1998 21:59:17 -0400
Well, I don't know quite how to thank you all on the list who has
graciously taken off your time to respond to my question, though I must
add that I am even a bit less sure of what I thought was a perfectly
logical rationale between my initial choices(the Edisto or Breeze).

I conclude, but not necesarily commit to:

1.a poly boat for the durability of both the local conditions, initial
abuse from my novice inadequacys, and that general peace of mind that I
can put it into water almost anywhere.

2.a boat that will respond similar to a high quality boat, sacrificing
speed perhaps. This I am not sure if I can perceive with a lack of
experience.  Can't afford renting a lot of them, so can't get the
experience.  Somewhat of a catch 22 or rely on 'expert opinion'.

3. a good fit.  So far, except for the Squall by current design which I
couldn't fit, I have been comfortable in all the kayaks I have been,
probably the Breeze the most.  I am 6', 170lbs. with rather excessive
legs 35"inseam but have been able to adjust the footpegs for comfortable
(though uncoordinated) bracing.  I would assume that experience will
also dictate new parameters for comfort, but I have been known to be
quite cavaleir in shoe sizing to get a bargain without too much
discomfort;-)

4. the knowledge that I will want to upgrade very soon and I shouldn't
feel too guilty for it, others have done it.

5. Its a legitimate thing to be thoughtful of friends and it is nice to
have a boat at their disposal when they visit.

6. my dream of eventually building a boat is within reason and is
encouraged.  Immediate gratification, shorter days, moving a studio
means a postponment.

7.  people on this list are pretty amazing and helpful.  (by the way, I
read R Diaz's book on kayaking on the reccomendation of a friend as an
introduction to this sport back in February, I understood far more of it
after my first strokes of a paddle a month and a half ago)

A couple of the boats are no longer available to try, but the owner of
the shop kindly offered to take me out and try out the larger Daggers
that I havn't tried yet as well as the Current Design Storm.  He is
quite knowledgeable and helpful so maybe I will have a decision next
week.

thank you everyone, and all advice is still welcome and influencial. 
The only personnal commitmant I have at this point is to buy it from
this place, he has had to put up with me even more than you guys have-
he deserves the damn sale!

if you are at all interested, I will keep you posted of the final
decision. thanks 




-- 
gabriel l romeu
http://members.aol.com/romeug     studio furniture
http://members.aol.com/romeugp    paintings, photos, prints, etc.
http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR  a daily photo journal

-- 
gabriel l romeu
http://members.aol.com/romeug     studio furniture
http://members.aol.com/romeugp    paintings, photos, prints, etc.
http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR  a daily photo journal

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From: <KiAyker_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] a pretty basic question
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1998 20:09:07 EDT
In a message dated 10/7/98 6:59:50 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
rww_at_mailbox.neosoft.com writes:

<<  Is there anywhere I could go in the narrow boat that 
 I couldn't go in the Edisto?  I can't think of any.  >>

   Perhaps squeeze through a 22" wide slot in the rocks :-)

Scott
So.Cal.
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From: Robert C. Cline <rcline_at_onramp.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] a pretty basic question
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 11:24:11 -0600
R. Walker wrote:

>Hey, you have the boat I've been thinking about as my next kayak.
>I haven't demo'ed it yet, but it has a reputation for being fast and
>strongly tracking....
>
>Have you had it long enough to get a feel for where its strong
>cruising speed is?

3.2 to 3.5 is a very comfortable speed in a No wind condition.  The last
time I went out to the bay, with the wind behind me, I was surfing along,
just barely using my paddle to stay on the wave and was cruising up to 4.6
knots (waves 1 ft.)  That's KNOTS!  ...as reported on my Magellen 3000 GPS.

This boat *is* fast and tracts great.  The only criticism I have is that
the bow does not rise sharply enough to prevent pearling. Maybe this is an
advantage going into the waves.  It can cut thorugh steep waves...  so much
so you can get really slapped hard by a steep oncoming wave that just
breaking.  Even that day, with wave hgts. were about 1 ft., there was
pearling.  Not that it meant much.  I've only pitchpolled once. I believe
the waves were 4 to 5 feet that day...wind around 25 or so at Port Aransas.


Robert


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