I am thinking about replacing my Mariner Coaster with either the Mariner Max or the Mariner Express. I dislike the sliding seat arrangement that Mariner uses to control balance-----------it adds too much weight to the boat and I would like to keep the weight to no more than 50 pounds, if possible, without going to a more expensive lay up. I thought that the 16 foot Express fitted with a hung seat and backband might not have as much tendency to weathercock as a longer boat and could do well enough without a trim seat. User feedback would be helpful.Thanks. John *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
The sliding seat adds about 5 pounds to the boat. I have no problem with that in my MAX. There is a cut down version of the Express for small paddlers. I borrowed one to use in the surf and it handles great. At 6'4" I found the cockpit was a tight fit. A high tech lay-up will cut down on weight if you want to pay the $. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
>I am thinking about replacing my Mariner Coaster with either the Mariner >Max or the Mariner Express. I dislike the sliding seat arrangement that >Mariner uses to control balance-----------it adds too much Here is what Tomckayak wrote to me on the Mariner seat: "I did a crossing of Rosario strait in a 20+ beam wind. One of the other boats was also a MAX but without a sliding seat. It was paddled by a strong White water boater. He could not maintain the agreed on heading and fell off down wind. I found the Sliding seat to be very effective. Small movements of the seat would change the heading the MAX could maintain. At lower wind speeds (up to 20 knots) the effect is less noticeable" I have the sliding seat in my Express with standard layup. The boat is heavy for its size. The sliding seat is OK for comfort but not great. Still it makes a very significant difference in rougher conditions. I would not get a Mariner boat, except Coaster, without it. Despite the weight. Jerry *************************************************************************** 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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