Re: [Paddlewise] SOTs uber Alles

Uhh, Ralph, you really sure provoked me into this ;-)

> Hmmm, this thing regarding sit-on-tops is getting to be an interesting
> conversation.
...
> 
> Some comments to the naysayers:
... 
> 
> 2.  **Camping, etc.**  Again, we are immediately looking at some epitome
> of long distance sea faring.  How many of you have really camped out of
> your sea kayak.  I bet less than half.  The other half don't need all
> that volume to put things into...they are day paddlers.  If you really
> want to camp, use a canoe.  No sea kayak is as efficient at camping as a
> canoe.  It will swallow up large Coleman coolers, habachis, small
> kitchen sinks.
..yup. And as being open are not as seaworthy as kayaks. No picking, I do 
suppose that you know what I mean... No problems about packing here: I do MOST 
of my kayaking here because I do want to leave other people behind for two to 
five days! And surely I am not carrying kitchen sinks with me then :-P  

> 3. **Cold weather.**  Sure a closed boat is better in the cold.  But
> what about the other months and months of paddling in warm to hot
> weather that marks the waters that most paddlers on this listserver
> probably ply? 
ohmigod! A New Yorker believing that there would be warm summers for all...
Hmm - do most of us paddlers on this list really have from warm to hot months?
I mean, is this actually CALIFORNIA uber ALLES ;-) ?????
> 
 
> A.  You can't have the fun of building your own SOT.  Building your own
> boat with kits or plans from Nick Schade and others certainly is
> something that is drawing more sea kayakers because of the satisfaction
> of crafting your own vessel and the aesthetics of wood.  But where is it
> written that you could not make your own wood SOT.  I can see a most
> stunning looking wood SOT with mahogany inlays, smooth sensuous curved
> seats and foot wells.  Imagine all that stretch of wood with no
> interruption of the long lines for something so prosaic as a cockpit rim
> and opening, or a sprayskirt covering a large chunk of the craftsman's
> handy work.
> 
>
> Well, as you can see, what gets me passionate (aside from looking at
> Julia Roberts) is standing up for things that are misunderstood or
> looked down upon.  I see SOTs in the same vein as I see folding kayaks. 
> They are a lot better than people give them credit for.
> 
> ralph diaz

Ok Ralph. I believe you. Next time I am starting my season in May in 
something like 34 to 36 F waters I am hoping I would have either a canoe (full 
of six-packs, bottle of Isla Negra red and a kitchen sink) or a SOT with 
sun-oil to crease my drysuit...see my other mail.

Cheers,

Ari Saarto

"Home of the Traditional & Famous Scandinavian Skinny-dipping [TM]"
Finland - Europe
GSM +358 - 50 - 526 5892
fax. +358 - 3 - 828 2815
e-mail: asaarto_at_lpt.fi
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