RE: [Paddlewise] Cost of Kayaking

From: Sisler, Clyde <Clyde.Sisler_at_wang.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 1999 08:25:04 -0500
Don't get me wrong.  I realize that fiberglass boats are superior and fully
plan to buy one in a year or two.  But plastic boats have their place too.
Especially the ones that are full fledged sea kayaks.  The two boats we have
are a Necky Looksha IV and a Perception Shadow.  Quite capable boats.

---------

I have a FG Looksha IV.  Weight was the only factor in choosing between FG
and plastic (I decided kevlar was not worth the cost, to me).  I paddle
alone, mostly, and since I'm a little older and a little feebler than I used
to be, a couple hundred dollars for 10 pounds less was worth it to me.

My main concern at the time was getting it on and off the truck by myself.
As it turns out, that is the easier part of manhandling a kayak.  Here in
the northeast US, there are more rock than sand beaches and I frequently
find myself carrying over rocks and boulders, trying to maintain balance
with an 18 foot kayak.

On the other hand, I'm rather rough on equipment.  If I get tired (or PO'ed)
I'll just drag the damn thing.  My spare paddle and self rescue practices
have scratched up the aft deck pretty much. Since my maintenance efforts
consist mostly of an annual 303 application and hosing off after a paddle,
the 3 year old kayak looks more like 13 years old.

Combined with my duct taped paddle and my overall grizzled appearance I look
like I've been paddling for decades.

Clyde Sisler
http://csisler.com
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Received on Mon Mar 08 1999 - 05:29:06 PST

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