(no subject)

On Dec. 8, Gary Tabor wrote:

<snip> I wonder if someone can provide a better view of the big picture
where 2 seater fun boats are concerned.
We'd like to paddle the calmer waters near Houston. To date we've checked
out: Ocean Kayak Malibu 2 (I think), Hobie Odyssey, OK Zest 2, Dagger Bayou
2, Old Town Loon 160T and some kinda Cobra boat. <unsnip>

I was just about to ask the folks on the list "what is the worst boat you've
ever paddled."  I was going to say that the Malibu 2 gets my vote, followed
by Ocean Kayak's Scrambler.  They're both extremely sluggish.  The biggest
bummer with the Malibu 2 is the fact that IT WILL CRACK very soon.  We have
a couple dozen and every single one is damaged around the scupper holes.
Therefore, I highly recommend NOT buying a Malibu 2 (or any Ocean Kayak
product for that matter.  Ocean Kayak doesn't seem the least interested in
the fact that they have hundreds of defective boats all over the world).

<snip> she refers to sit-on-tops as unprofessional which isn't quite as rude
as it sounds. <unsnip>

If Kim is referring to most plastic sit-on-tops, her "innuendo" is quite
appropriate.  Most of the plastic sit-on-tops I've paddled don't come close
to the average decked boat in performance and controllability.  Still, they
have their place in the recreational forum.  They make great boats for
beginners (user-friendly, no entrapment worries and so on.)  They are
arguably the boat of choice in the tropics (though decked boats do just fine
too).

Gary Nilsen posted this reply on Dec. 8:
Snip> I can relate to your quest. I went through the same thing about 6
months ago. My wife and I decided on a Wilderness System Pamlico Lite.  It
is fiberglass and fast. We decided to go glass because the way I figure it
is the easier it is to do something, the more likely you will do it. If you
have to work your butt off to go out in wind and do a 3 mile crossing, you
may do it once or twice but that's it. <unsnip>

Fiberglass rules!  Speed, the ability to be repaired, design options
(sharper lines), and weight all make fiberglass the choice in personal
watercraft.

Cheers,
Dave


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