On Fri, 9 Apr 1999, N.D. VAN LOO wrote: Hi > > We have a simple question: Can anyone convince us that buying a > foldable double instead of a hardshell is a stupid and crazy idea? > Just ask the members of your local club... If you want a pro foldable argument read the Seakayak FAQ, especially the section on foldables by Ralph Diaz. It is a succinct and precise summary of all arguments in favor of foldables. If you want to know more, read his book. > > This conclusion when presented at the kayak club gave rise to quite > some resistance. Foldables were "not done". When we asked: "Could > you give any logical reason why a foldable is a bad idea?" The debate > focussed on, stability, preformance, vurnerability to rocks, > maintenance, folding/unfolding time etc. But most of our kayaking > friends had no experience at all with foldables. > I experienced the same thing at my local club last year in France. I was not satisfied with their answers and continued to collect information. I read the Seakayak FAQ, then read Ralph's book and in then bought a red Klepper Aerius I. And the club? Laughter, jokes and ridicule! I was made to understand that spending so much money on a foldable was outright stupid, " une grosse betise". Up to now, I didn't regret my choice, the Klepper proved to be a fine boat, not just on outdoor expositions. At last two arguments against foldables: 1. They are expensive and many people don't want to spend the money on boats that last longer. 2. Their use in heavy White Water is limited. Navigating on rivers consisting of "einer Ansammlung nasser Steine" (an allottment of wet rocks, Rittlinger) is better done in plastic boats. It has already been pointed out in some answers that the argument 2 singles vs. double is of prime importance. As a beginner I would rather opt for two singles. Reinhold P.S.: Seakayak FAQ: http://siolibrary.ucsd.edu/preston/kayak/faqs/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Apr 13 1999 - 13:32:37 PDT
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