[Paddlewise] FW: Need you advise, help, suggestion on how to proceed

Jeff

Call Pat Lamar, owner of The Canoe Shop.  It's a family-run business -- been
around for 30-plus years.  They have two store fronts; one is in
Tallahassee, the other in Panama City.  They specialize in both kayaking and
canoeing.  They also have many of the yak builders you mentioned (Current
Designs, Wilderness, Dagger, and I think Necky) and are very liberal with
regard to boat demos.  I bought my Solstice ST from Pat after paddling it
for a good hour or so.  His PC store is a half block away from a put-in on
St. Andrew Bay.  Pat is a BCU-certified paddler, and one helluva fine guy!
His number is 850-763-2311.

Good luck!

Jim Tynan
Pike Road, Alabama

BTW -- I am not affiliated professionally with The Canoe Shop in any way,
and will not receive any kickbacks for referral business other than a firm
handshake!

~-----Original Message-----
~From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
~[mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of Jeff Rowland
~Sent: Thursday, June 17, 1999 6:54 PM
~To: PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net
~Subject: [Paddlewise] Need you advise, help, suggestion on how to
~proceed
~
~
~Hi
~
~
~   Need some advice, suggestions, whatever words of wisdom on how
~to proceed.
~I have been interested in purchasing a kayak and have decided on a
~fiberglass
~one.  For the last month, I have been doing a lot of research on all the
~models available and have identified some models I would like to consider.
~
~
~
~
~
~The problems I am having are:
~
~
~1. Not being able to find stores carrying some of the vendors  I
~am interested
~in that are within  1-2 hour drive. I currently live about a hours
~drive from
~both Jacksonville, Fla. and Savannah, Ga.
~
~
~
~
~
~2. What I almost always run into are  stores carrying some of the
~vendors I am
~interested in, but seldom have the particular models I am
~considering.  Before
~making a purchase I definitely want to try out the kayak.  What I
~am finding
~is some stores say they can order the model I want to purchase and
~will let me
~try out a different demo model with similar characteristics, size etc.
~
~
~
~
~
~3. I have been able to find some stores that carry a model I am
~interested in
~but they are hesitant in letting me try it out since it is not a demo model
~and I am not ready to buy right then.
~
~
~
~
~
~What I need is your advice, suggestion on how might proceed to find
~vendor/models I would like to check out.  Any one know of any
~store in South
~East USA ie Georgia,
~
~
~North Fla., N.C., S.C. that carry some of the kayaks listed below
~and have a
~good selection and also have models to try out.
~
~
~
~
~
~Am I wrong wanting to try out a model before I buy or should I try out a
~similar model?  I have been looking for a local kayak expo, show
~in the S.E.
~but just missed the one in Charleston.
~
~
~
~
~
~Any help you can give would be much appreciated.
~
~
~
~
~
~Vendor/Model considering are:
~
~
~
~
~
~Current Design:  Solstice Series
~
~
~Dagger: Sitka, Meridian, Latitude
~
~
~Eddyline( Can't find store carrying this line in surrounding area)
~
~
~Necky: Any  Model
~
~
~Northwest: Can't find store carrying this line in surrounding area
~
~
~P&H : any model
~
~
~Seaward: Can't find store in surrounding area
~
~
~Valley Canoe:
~
~
~Wilderness Systems: Shenia, Solution Models
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
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