[Paddlewise] Express vs II

>Today I was out paddling my Mariner Express on Puget sound.  The wind
>was a steady 21 knots, gusting to 23, according to the recording
>anemometer at West point.  The wind was SSE, so the fetch at Shilshole
>was a bit less than usual in a southerly, which made for short steep
>waves moving at a good clip (with the tide).  I spent some time
>practicing quick turns up into the wind and, following Matt's advice, I
>tried edging the boat an extra few degrees as I leaned on the sweep
>stroke.  The boat came up into the wind MUCH more quickly with just a
>little more edging.  The effect was startling.

I have had an Express with sliding seat for several years and have been
considering a II as well for at least a year.  Have you ever paddled the II
in similar windy conditions, unloaded?  I wonder if it would be as easy to
manage as the Express is.  I once took a lesson in Deception Pass with
Gronseth's school in a rented II with fixed seat and found it very easy to
manage in the tidal races.  But there was no wind.

Jerry

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