Just a couple of comments in support and expansion of several of John's points below about polyethylene kayaks: John Winters wrote: > > As for the differences between laminated and poly boats, poly boats > generally weigh more than equivalent laminated boats although some builders > build rather heavy glass boats. The weight does make a difference mostly > because the ends have high concentrations of material that increase the > moment of inertia. This concentration of weight at the ends often makes poly boats a bit harder to solo carry than a laminated glass or other material boat. If in your shoulder carry the boat goes off horizontal a bit and you start correcting, you get a seesaw effect that can be difficult to correct and makes the carry more tiring than in a similar weight laminated boat. I found that out years ago when I would have difficulty carrying a Chinook I was using but not at all a longer laminated boat. > Poly does distort over time (and with heat) more than laminated boats. > > Poly does scratch differently from laminated boats by having raised hairs > of material that increase resistance over time more than similar scratches > on laminated boats that do not protrude from the surface. > > The aesthetics of poly take a bit of getting used to (at least for me). > Some people object to the "waxy" look, lack of gloss, and lack of color > depth. > SNIPPED > While I and others place great importance on performance the differences > between similar designs won't shake the earth. If performance has a low > priority for you why should you care what the self-styled purists think? For the average paddler the difference in performance is not earthshaking and likely to be hardly noticeable. Ah but the mystique and prestige of laminates probably puts more buzz in your pants, makes you stand taller than the person in poly. Just one other difference that I would like to add. The coamings on poly boats are not as sharp as those on laminated kayaks. Therefore they don't hold a sprayskirt as well. > Repair of broken poly boats (it does happen) can pose problems. I have > heard no long term durability reports on repairs. perhaps someone who has > had a poly boat fixed will know. Even badly damaged laminated boats can be > fixed by the owner. My understanding from people who advise on repairs of poly boats is that after a certain age, the stiffening of the poly makes it more difficult for a repair with more pliable fresh material to adhere well. The laminates can be repaired for quite a few years more than a poly boat can be fixed. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Jun 22 1999 - 07:07:11 PDT
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