Re: [Paddlewise] Express yourself

"Nick,

I'm considering getting the Mariner Express for day trips in the San
Francisco Bay and for coastal paddling in rough seas.  What's your
opinion of the boat?  What's it best suited for?

When I visited the Broze brother's shop in Seattle last weekend, I also
demoed the Elan.  For my 6'2" 165 lb. frame, it was a bit tight, but
perhaps doable for short few hour jaunts.  The
nice feature of the Elan is it's recessed combing and lower back deck.
Seems in the Express some need to raise the seat (and resultant center
of gravity) and fiddle with the seat back in
order to lean back to complete a roll.

Thanks,
 Paul"

Paul,

I have had my  Mariner Express for over a year now and I think that it
is a great boat.  I have yet to paddle a boat that I like as much,
except for the Mariner II.  I paddled a freind's Mariner II frequently
over several years, so I know that boat pretty well too.  It was a
difficult choice, the II is faster, but the Express is more nimble and I

like to paddle in wind and waves.  The Express is also a bit easier to
move at slower speeds (3 knots or less).  As far as size goes I would
get the Express if I were you.  I am 5' 10", 155 pounds, and I can lean
right back flat on the after deck.  I use more of a white water style
roll (the c-to-c roll), with my body more or less perpendicular to the
boat, however I frequently lay back just to stretch.  I find the Express

very easy to roll, easier than some of the white water boats that I used

when learning to roll in pool practice.  I do not use the sliding seat
(which I had experience with in my friend's II).  I decided to use the
simplest and cheapest and lightest option, the simple butt shaped foam
seat and the padded lumbar strap.  The lumbar strap gives great support,

but leaves you very mobile and free (it may help with leaning right
back on the aft deck).  I find this seat to be the most comfortable by
far.
Even after 20 miles I feel good.  Matt Broze allowed as how the sliding
seat  might not matter all that much in the very maneuverable Express.
I am not opposed to the sliding seat at all, I simply like the comfort
and simplicity of the foam.
I have my foam seat glued down about where you would put the sliding
seat for level trim (for flat water, upwind or across the wind).  I have

no trouble running downwind, surfing waves, and so forth with the seat
in this position.  I also added extra foam blocks at each side of the
seat to make it fit my narrow hips more snugly - but don't make it too
tight; if the foam squeezes your hips too firmly it will be
astonishingly uncomfortable!

 I would recomend the larger boat (the Express) because the leg room
feels just right to me, whereas the Elan was a bit cramped. When you are

out on the water for a while it really helps to be able to shift your
posture a bit.  The Express, with an inch more depth, holds considerably

more stuff too. I know of one very experienced paddler who is your size
(6'-2", but heavier than you) and who prefers the Express.  He also uses
the foam seat that I have, but puts a 3/4 inch foam pad under the seat
because he likes the boat to be more tender; I guess he likes a quicker
lean response.  He likes the Express for coastal paddling and recently
took his Express on a three week trip on the west coast of Vancouver
Island and came home with extra food.

I think the Express is an excellent rough water boat.  It also has
enough volume, and a long enough water line, to carry a load of gear and

cruise at a good pace for camping trips.  If all you wanted to do was
play in surf I would get the Mariner Coaster, but if you want to go
places as well, the Express is better.  I have paddled the Max also, and

I like it, but the Express is noticeably livelier.  I have had my boat
out in 30 knot winds, gusting higher, and find that the Express remains
in ballance on all courses.  Paddling an empty (light) boat, it takes a
bit of work to bring the long high bow up into the wind (this is hard on

any boat in a real wind), but I hit on a trick that works very well when

the wind is extra strong.  First you follow Matt's directions, paddling
on the off side and leaning away from the turn to get the boat up to
speed and start a long arcing turn up towards the wind.  When  I am
broadside to the wind, and the bow starts to resist turning, I suddenly
initiate a strong back-stroke (rudder stroke) on the inside and lean
into the turn (this is called a telemark turn).  This nearly stops the
boat, but it swings you hard up into the wind in seconds and you can
immediately switch to a forward stroke, straight up into the wind.  What

I am describing is not the same as weathercocking, it is just the
difficulty any boat has in bringing it's bow up into a very strong
wind.  Weathercocking is when the boat wants to veer off the wind.  The
Express doesn't weathercock, but will paddle straight ahead on any
course.  This boat is so much fun that it will tempt you to go out when
it is rough.  When you learn to use a lot of body rotation in your
paddle stroke, and to keep your back loose and limber, it is amazing how

easy it is to dance through rough seas.  The Express will tempt you to
go out when conditions are dangerous.  Be careful.  Dress for immersion
in cold water.  Paddle with skilled companions whenever you can.

I choose the simplest, lightest boat, with no hatches or bulkheads.
This allows you to pack more gear into the boat. If you choose a boat
without bulkheads, I would definitely use
a sea sock though.  I have had air bags fail, and I paddle alone often,
in windy winter weather, and I would not want to depend on airbags
alone.  Besides I like the sock, it keeps sand and weeds and water out
of the boat.  When you wet exit you have MUCH less water to pump out of
the boat afterwards.  At first I thought that the slippery sock and
drysuit combination would make it hard to roll, but, after a little
practice, it makes no differrence that I can notice.  I like the clean
deck and lines of the boat with no hatches, although I have to carry
more safety gear on deck when I use the sea sock.

I wouldn't worry about leaning back.  I am four inches shorter than you
and have no trouble leaning all the way back in the Express.  I think
that it is an exceptional boat.  The Broze brothers focused a lot of
obsession on their designs and I think their boats really stand out from

the crowd.  Good luck, let me know what you decide and don't hesitate to

ask if you have any other questions.

Nick Lyle

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