Re: [Paddlewise] Rocker: too many sea kayaks

|If the foregoing is true, why would anyone choose say a Seawards Vision
|over a Seawards Navigator for sea kayaking?  These boats are identical
|except for rocker.  Similarly, why do many people like the Looksha IV?
|Without its rudder, it is hard to paddle in strong wind.

What is "strong wind?"  I have paddled my Looksha IV in 30+mph winds.  Not that
I wanted to but that is what happened. I think that is a strong wind.  The
normal wind I paddle in is 10-15 mph.

I don't have a problem paddling the Looksha in wind at all.  What is a problem
are following or stern quartering seas.  Then a rudder helps control broaching.

At first I thought I was going to get an Arluk III.  But after paddling the
Arluk, Looksha and a bunch of other boats at a symposium, I got the IV.  Its
ability to turn is outstanding and I have used it in very tight turning channels
in marshes and rivers.

Most of my paddling is done on large local lakes where wind is an issue.  If the
wind is effecting the course I want, I can easily lean the Looksha and away we
go. Shortening up on the paddle so that your paddle stroke is shorter on the
upwind side of the boat also helps.

After I had the Looksha for a few months I had the opportunity to paddle an
Arluk III again in 5-10 mph winds.  I really disliked the Arluk because I was so
used to paddling the Looksha that keeping on course was so much easier in the IV
than the III.  Just a movement of my fanny would keep the course I wanted.

I very seldom use my rudder.

A thread running a few weeks ago was talking about tracking, loading of the
boat, etc.  A new person to the thread said something that reminded me to try to
put more wieght in the forward part of the yak.  I finally remembered that I had
a dive belt and I'm going to start using it to see what effect it has on putting
some weight forward.


Hope this helps...
Dan McCarty




***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************