I am considering either a Mariner II (21.5" beam) or Mariner MAX (23.5" beam) to add to current fleet, which consists of a Mariner Express (22.2" beam) and CD Solstice GTS (22" beam). Now, I am quite comfortable in rough, but not too rough, water in my 22" boats. Also, I have paddled George Gronseth's Mariner II in a lesson in Deception Pass tidal rapids and had no trouble with it. But, I have a feeling that I can decrease the likelihood of a capsize, due to some combo of carelessness and disturbed water, by increasing the volume of my next boat. Certainly, too much volume would decrease safety by making the boat unwieldy and poorly fitting. But a bit more volume might be helpful. (Ralph Diaz has said that an advantage of folding boats with their inherent stability is decreased likelihood of capsize.) The most likely time for capsize for me is in following conditions, which I love to paddle in. Therefore a boat that is more forgiving in following conditions will also decrease the likelihood of capsize. I have heard that the MAX is easier and more forgiving down a wave than the II, or even the Express. Now that I think of it, what I am looking for is the easiest and most forgiving boat, ie., least likely to capsize, when surfing follow seas (not shore break). I don't care about performance or responsiveness, whatever they are. When you are travelling down weather you are going fast enough in any boat you can control. 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/ ***************************************************************************
On Sun, 21 Feb 1999, Gerald Foodman wrote: > I am considering either a Mariner II (21.5" beam) or Mariner MAX (23.5" > beam) to add to current fleet, which consists of a Mariner Express (22.2" > beam) and CD Solstice GTS (22" beam). Now, I am quite comfortable in rough, > but not too rough, water in my 22" boats. Also, I have paddled George > Gronseth's Mariner II in a lesson in Deception Pass tidal rapids and had no > trouble with it. > > But, I have a feeling that I can decrease the likelihood of a capsize, due > to some combo of carelessness and disturbed water, by increasing the volume > of my next boat. Certainly, too much volume would decrease safety by making > the boat unwieldy and poorly fitting. But a bit more volume might be > helpful. (Ralph Diaz has said that an advantage of folding boats with their > inherent stability is decreased likelihood of capsize.) Jerry, I do not think that volume will make too much difference in the likelyhood of capsize in following seas, and in fact too much volume in the form of extra width would result in extra initial stability and increase the likelyhood of a capsize.. Paddler ability is the most important factor in likely hood to capsize in following seas. Second to that, is the likelyhood of a certain hull to broach, which is the cause of most capsizes in following seas. The least likely Mariner boat to broach is probably the Coaster -- a very good boat overall, and probably an excellent complement to your Express. In general, hard chine boats tend to broach less, and I really like my Pygmy Arctic Tern while surfing a wave. Following sea performance is probably the most challenging aspect of boat design. If this is most important to you, do your research well. Cheers, Kevin > > The most likely time for capsize for me is in following conditions, which I > love to paddle in. Therefore a boat that is more forgiving in following > conditions will also decrease the likelihood of capsize. I have heard that > the MAX is easier and more forgiving down a wave than the II, or even the > Express. Now that I think of it, what I am looking for is the easiest and > most forgiving boat, ie., least likely to capsize, when surfing follow seas > (not shore break). I don't care about performance or responsiveness, > whatever they are. When you are travelling down weather you are going fast > enough in any boat you can control. > > 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/ > *************************************************************************** > *************************************************************************** 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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