RE: [Paddlewise] Opinion about boats

From: David Seng <David_at_wainet.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 08:44:57 -0900
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dan Horowitz [mailto:danh_at_gdi.net]
> 
> Is there something about these boats I don't know (do they 
> disintergrate in
> 30 days?)? Should I be looking at something else? I like the idea of a
> plastic boat (price and oyster durability), but does plastic become a
> hindrance after developing some skill? 
> 
  Nope, they won't disintegrate after 30 days, but it would probably be
a good idea to store them somewhere out of the sun.  That hot Florida
sun might also do some funny things to your kayak if you leave it
sitting on your roof rack for an extended period of time.  You might
want to use something like the Yakima "Stacker" so that you can carry
the kayak on its side rather than the bottom - less deformation that
way.
  Paddling a plastic kayak is not a hindrance (IMO).  I have a
fibreglass yak and a plastic yak.  Both get banged about and dragged up
on rocky shores - the gelcoat gets chipped and scratched, but can easily
be repaired.  The plastic yak gets scratched and worn and cannot be
easily repaired.  My guess is that the fibreglass yak will outlive the
plastic one.  Buy a plastic boat to start (gotta save some money for all
the kayaking accessories<g>).  Then in a year or two when it (the first
kayak) starts telling you that it's lonely and wants another kayak to
share the shed space with you can make the choice between plastic,
fibreglass, wood, or even "skin".

Dave Seng
Juneau, Alaska
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Received on Thu Mar 18 1999 - 09:41:32 PST

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