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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Dave (and anyone else), A fellow here who runs a shop and is very good at repairs (fixes up Texas Water Safari boats and all) has patched my Dad's scrambler by putting a kevlar patch over the scupper. In fact, my Dad is up to about 5 patches on a very old boat which is on its second owner. The first owner was kind of heavy and really did some gouging. In drought conditions you can't help but hit rocks around here, and Dad was taking the boat out every week. I would be surprised you are having problems. There are so many of these boats on Texas rivers and they get trashed from hitting rocks. The rocks push in the plastic, but the "tube" for the scupper does not deform, hence eventually you will wear a hole. Just running on sand or in the sea, I would think that wouldn't wear as much. Anyway, if you would like to write this fellow to learn about the kelvar patching method I can get his address. It doesn't seem to cost too much, and the worst thing about it is that you lose scuppers, which really isn't that big of a deal. You have a wet butt. So what?! :-) Another important part of the repair is that you trim the scupper tube, because it is that hard bit of plastic sticking down which got you in trouble in the first place. Now if you are suffering cracks from the boat just plain bending, I would be upset. Ocean Kayak should respond. These boats don't seem to bend much, even in the Texas sun. Sit-on-tops really have their place. You have to look at the person's geography and what they want to boat before you condemn them (not that you were doing that, but others were). What is important is that people are comfortable and having fun. Some people don't care about speed, or effort per foot, or whatever. And, that sort of boat can handle a lake, a fishing or scuba trip, a class I-II river for about $400 (less used). It's not all bad. :-) jennifer the contact info I have is: TG Canoe Livery Duane TeGrotenhuis t.g.canoe.livery_at_centuryinter.net (I've never sent them email, and I think they are going on a trip soon. I hope they don't mind me posting their email address!) located in San Marcos, Texas ... a great town, with a great river *************************************************************************** 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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