Kayakers, Today, and occasionally in the past, I have read posts on Paddlewise from kayakers who mention they paddle a plastic kayak and in one way or another seem embarrassed about it. Well, I am proud to paddle plastic! I own fiberglass, plywood stitch and glue, skin (nylon over wood frame), and plastic sea kayaks, and plastic is by far my favorite. What other material can get thrashed in the surf, slammed into rocks, and dropped and dragged with confidence? Sure, fiberglass kayaks are stiffer, have finer lines and are prettier, but I don't like treating my kayak like a baby, especially when it is fully loaded on a trip. I'll gladly handle the minor oil canning and a little extra weight for a kayak that can take a beating. So all you plastic kayak owners out there, be proud, don't take crap from anyone, and enjoy beating the hell out of your kayak while your friends in fiberglass cringe every time they get a scratch in their gelcoat. Duane Strosaker Proudly beating the hell out his plastic Necky Looksha IV in Southern California *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Return-path: MadPoodle_at_aol.com From: MadPoodle_at_aol.com Full-name: Mad Poodle Message-ID: <55e6ef8.24b5d13c_at_aol.com> Date: Thu, 8 Jul 1999 06:02:36 EDT Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Proud to Paddle Plastic To: Strosaker_at_aol.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: AOL for Macintosh sub 54 In a message dated 7/8/99 12:24:46 AM, Strosaker_at_AOL.COM writes: >So all you plastic >kayak owners out there, be proud, don't take crap from anyone, and enjoy > >beating the hell out of your kayak while your friends in fiberglass cringe > >every time they get a scratch in their gelcoat. Right on! Heck, I just walked outside and keyed the bottom just for the heck of it! Scott A scratchy kinda guy, just north of Cuba *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
You are not alone! Debbie Reeves Owner of fiberglass, wood, and yes, plastic kayaks > ---------- > From: Strosaker_at_aol.com[SMTP:Strosaker_at_aol.com] > > Today, and occasionally in the past, I have read posts on Paddlewise from > kayakers who mention they paddle a plastic kayak and in one way or another > > seem embarrassed about it. Well, I am proud to paddle plastic! I own > fiberglass, plywood stitch and glue, skin (nylon over wood frame), and > plastic sea kayaks, and plastic is by far my favorite. What other > material > can get thrashed in the surf, slammed into rocks, and dropped and dragged > with confidence? Sure, fiberglass kayaks are stiffer, have finer lines > and > are prettier, but I don't like treating my kayak like a baby, especially > when > it is fully loaded on a trip. I'll gladly handle the minor oil canning > and a > little extra weight for a kayak that can take a beating. So all you > plastic > kayak owners out there, be proud, don't take crap from anyone, and enjoy > beating the hell out of your kayak while your friends in fiberglass cringe > > every time they get a scratch in their gelcoat. > > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
......oddly this thread got me strangely hungry..........be right back........I'm going down to the 'fridge to get a yogurt. Reeves, Debbie (Debbie) wrote: > You are not alone! > > Debbie Reeves > Owner of fiberglass, wood, and yes, plastic kayaks > > > ---------- > > From: Strosaker_at_aol.com[SMTP:Strosaker_at_aol.com] > > > > Today, and occasionally in the past, I have read posts on Paddlewise from > > kayakers who mention they paddle a plastic kayak and in one way or another > > > > seem embarrassed about it. Well, I am proud to paddle plastic! I own > > fiberglass, plywood stitch and glue, skin (nylon over wood frame), and > > plastic sea kayaks, and plastic is by far my favorite. What other > > material > > can get thrashed in the surf, slammed into rocks, and dropped and dragged > > with confidence? Sure, fiberglass kayaks are stiffer, have finer lines > > and > > are prettier, but I don't like treating my kayak like a baby, especially > > when > > it is fully loaded on a trip. I'll gladly handle the minor oil canning > > and a > > little extra weight for a kayak that can take a beating. So all you > > plastic > > kayak owners out there, be proud, don't take crap from anyone, and enjoy > > beating the hell out of your kayak while your friends in fiberglass cringe > > > > every time they get a scratch in their gelcoat. > > > > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Reeves, Debbie (Debbie) wrote: > > You are not alone! > > Debbie Reeves > Owner of fiberglass, wood, and yes, plastic kayaks Plastic is just fine and don't ever let anyone look down on you for what you paddle. One of the fastest and most reliable paddlers I ever met paddled a Chinook. He would go to symposiums, eye and try out all the fiberglass while considering what he might upgrade to one day. But for years he stayed with that Chinook and remained the best paddler around. The paddler maketh the boat not the boat maketh the paddler. There are however a lot of shortcomings to plastic that can't be overlooked: Weight--they tend to be about 8 to 10 pounds heavier than equivalent fiberglass. Portability--with lots of their weight at their very ends, plastic boats are harder to carry as a see-saw effect starts up if you get 'em slightly off balance in the carry. Deformity--they deform terribly to affect handling and speed. After a year no two kayaks of the same model will handle the same because of this. Longevity--they really don't last long, certainly no where near the useful life of a fiberglass kayak. Repairs--generally more difficult than in fiberglass. Leaky bulkheads--no matter what a manufacturer claims, bulkheads all leak, some more than others, but all leak. So I don't see the choice as a matter of prestige but rather practicality. Fiberglass gives you more than image. Plastic kayaks have an advantage in price and in there lies a danger. It is so easy to get one as an entry boat from a department store and go paddle forth without any knowledge of airbags, self-rescue, reading sea conditions etc. Sooner or later, we are going to start seeing statistics catch up to these paddlers and it won't be pretty. 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/ ***************************************************************************
Duane, I know what you mean. I will always have at least one plastic sea kayak in my fleet for use in abusive situations. I remember once I needed to launch from a rugged jetty. I just took my plastic Sea Lion and pushed it off the edge. The boat smashed its way down the rocks and landed in the water at which point I climbed down and got in the boat. Fiber glass and kevlar boats are stiffer, prettier and maybe even stronger --- but be honest folks, would any of you do that to your glass boats? Oh by the way, I checked my boat very carefully after the jetty launch. I'm sure it banged the boat up a bit, but I could find no evidence of the abuse. Plastic flexes and really takes less damage than a glass boat in these situations. --Tim > -----Original Message----- > From: Strosaker_at_aol.com [SMTP:Strosaker_at_aol.com] > Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 1999 8:50 PM > To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subject: [Paddlewise] Proud to Paddle Plastic > > Kayakers, > > Today, and occasionally in the past, I have read posts on Paddlewise from > kayakers who mention they paddle a plastic kayak and in one way or another > > seem embarrassed about it. Well, I am proud to paddle plastic! I own > fiberglass, plywood stitch and glue, skin (nylon over wood frame), and > plastic sea kayaks, and plastic is by far my favorite. What other > material > can get thrashed in the surf, slammed into rocks, and dropped and dragged > with confidence? Sure, fiberglass kayaks are stiffer, have finer lines > and > are prettier, but I don't like treating my kayak like a baby, especially > when > it is fully loaded on a trip. I'll gladly handle the minor oil canning > and a > little extra weight for a kayak that can take a beating. So all you > plastic > kayak owners out there, be proud, don't take crap from anyone, and enjoy > beating the hell out of your kayak while your friends in fiberglass cringe > > every time they get a scratch in their gelcoat. > > Duane Strosaker > Proudly beating the hell out his plastic Necky Looksha IV in Southern > California > ************************************************************************** > * > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > ************************************************************************** > * *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
<<So I don't see the choice as a matter of prestige but rather practicality. Fiberglass gives you more than image.>> Two issues here. I like my plastic boat. I want a longer boat but I really can't afford even another plastic boat. I will find a way to get a longer boat because that is the only way I can do the type of paddling I really want to do. I'll pay a financial price for that but I will keep it down as well as I can. That means more plastic and I don't mean credit cards. Sure, I like the swoopy feel of the fiberglass over the plastic but better no swoop than no paddling. The plastic gives me the deep pleasure of paddling on the waters I have grown to treasure over the years. That is worth a great deal to me. <<Plastic kayaks have an advantage in price and in there lies a danger. It is so easy to get one as an entry boat from a department store and go paddle forth without any knowledge of airbags, self-rescue, reading sea conditions etc. Sooner or later, we are going to start seeing statistics catch up to these paddlers and it won't be pretty.>> Ralph has a VERY good point here. I am fortunate that I like my computer and the lists. If it had not been for that I'd be out there in my boat without any more of a clue than I've had for the 12+ years I paddled the canoe. I never heard of floatation and never gave hypothermia much of a thought. I sat on my pfd, as seat cushion in the canoe. I've seen a lot of folks out there without the things that are basic survival equipment for me today. All they have is a boat and a paddle. Even places like Springriver don't talk about the "extras" you need when you ask them. I asked several of the men there and not a one of them mentioned floatation in the boat. Sure there was the pfd and paddle but not a word about as much as a skirt, from what I can recall. Maybe I took the skirt for granted but safety issues just weren't enough of a priority for it to make much of an impression on me. This is a situation that will only grow worse. What we can do about it is unclear to me but I've been thinking about it for some time now. Maybe we can develop some kind of literature for stores and ask if they will voluntarily include it when they sell boats. We could point out that it is to their benefit. They can sell more of the extras that way. It's just a thought but one I'd like to see if I can't follow through on in this area. Joan *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
-----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of Joan Spinner Sent: Thursday, July 08, 1999 11:59 AM To: paddlewise Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Proud to Paddle Plastic <<So I don't see the choice as a matter of prestige but rather practicality. Fiberglass gives you more than image.>> Two issues here. I like my plastic boat. I want a longer boat but I really can't afford even another plastic boat. >> Simple..hang your boat from a tree by it's front or rear toggle and leave it out in the sun... *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Ralph And your explanation is exactly the reason I'm on this list. It was TOO easy to just buy that first boat, know nothing and head out into the deep blue sea. Now, I have about 238 gadgets, weighing almost equal to my body weight, hanging from my PFD. In fact, I ought to see if the damn thing can float just the gadgets. :-) And I'm trying to perfect a roll and rotate more at the waist, etc. all because of comments on this list. Those potential statistics you refer to can also be considered the natural selection process taking place. I'm trying to avoid being selected. Larry "Plastic wipes clean with a damp cloth" Mills Department of Redundancy Department Purchase, NY > -----Original Message----- > From: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com [SMTP:rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com] > Sent: Thursday, July 08, 1999 4:43 P.M. > To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Proud to Paddle Plastic > > Reeves, Debbie (Debbie) wrote: > > > > You are not alone! > > > > Debbie Reeves > > Owner of fiberglass, wood, and yes, plastic kayaks > > Plastic is just fine and don't ever let anyone look down on you for what > you paddle. One of the fastest and most reliable paddlers I ever met > paddled a Chinook. He would go to symposiums, eye and try out all the > fiberglass while considering what he might upgrade to one day. But for > years he stayed with that Chinook and remained the best paddler around. > The paddler maketh the boat not the boat maketh the paddler. > > There are however a lot of shortcomings to plastic that can't be > overlooked: > > Weight--they tend to be about 8 to 10 pounds heavier than equivalent > fiberglass. > > Portability--with lots of their weight at their very ends, plastic boats > are harder to carry as a see-saw effect starts up if you get 'em > slightly off balance in the carry. > > Deformity--they deform terribly to affect handling and speed. After a > year no two kayaks of the same model will handle the same because of > this. > > Longevity--they really don't last long, certainly no where near the > useful life of a fiberglass kayak. > > Repairs--generally more difficult than in fiberglass. > > Leaky bulkheads--no matter what a manufacturer claims, bulkheads all > leak, some more than others, but all leak. > > So I don't see the choice as a matter of prestige but rather > practicality. Fiberglass gives you more than image. > > Plastic kayaks have an advantage in price and in there lies a danger. > It is so easy to get one as an entry boat from a department store and go > paddle forth without any knowledge of airbags, self-rescue, reading sea > conditions etc. Sooner or later, we are going to start seeing > statistics catch up to these paddlers and it won't be pretty. > > 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/ > ************************************************************************** > * *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 7/8/99 5:59:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Larry.Mills_at_exchange.purchase.edu writes: << Now, I have about 238 gadgets, weighing almost equal to my body weight, hanging from my PFD. In fact, I ought to see if the damn thing can float just the gadgets. :-) >> Hi everybody, this is Sandy Kramer in Miami. How about people giving a list of what they carry on their PFDs? I rejected several models and bought the MTI because of the two large mesh pockets. By the way, I adjusted it the way Sue Penn (I think it was) mentioned and it worked great. I got a much better fit. (release everything, adjust waistband first, and then tighten sides and shorten the shoulders). Wal-Marts and the like sell a kiddie's lip sunscreen (Chapstick kind) that is attached to a key ring. The ring would rust, so I got rid of it and ran dental floss through the ring; it dangles on the outside of my PFD. Great for quick touchups and the fruity flavor is quite nice. What are the recommended "essential" safety etc. items? I remember Dominic Coscia of Atlantic Coasta Kayaks (Pompano (Beach?), FL) had, among other things I don't remember, one of those mini-cans of tuna -- with a pull tab, of course! Any comments about emergency fishing hook, line, and sinkers? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>Hi everybody, this is Sandy Kramer in Miami. How about people giving a list >of what they carry on their PFDs? > >--- had, among other >things I don't remember, one of those mini-cans of tuna -- with a pull tab, >of course! Chumming for Sharks? >Any comments about emergency fishing hook, line, and sinkers? How about a bar of soap? If all else fails and you can't get back into your kayak, take out the soap and wash yourself ashore. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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