Hi, I'm new to the list and noticed its pretty active. Seems there are quite a few knowledgeable kayakers out there and wondered if I could get some advice. I'm not sure if I should be posting this kind of question, forgive me if that's the case. Here goes...I am new to the sport, have only been out about 4 times this year but I love it! Its all I can think about, I even dream about it these days =) Now I want to buy a boat and am growing impatient. I have been doing research but am at a loss, thing is, I with little experience and soooo many boats to choose from I have no idea how/what to choose. Everyone says trying boats is the best way, makes perfect sense, but I have somewhat limited access and knowledge as to what boats to even try. Course you need more info =) To give you some help - I'm about 5'5", 115 pounds and I live in Nova Scotia, Canada. I would be doing mostly sea kayaking, some island hopping and coastal touring. Mostly day tripping but I hope to get into some overnight ventures so I'd need storage room. I've rented a Boreal Designs Muktuk once and have paddled a friend's Wilderness Systems Sealoution II the rest of the times I've been out - yeah, all three of em ;) I've been told numerous times that the Sealoution II is too big a boat for me. I did notice I had to paddle like crazy to keep up with others, I felt 'lost' in the cockpit and like I was constantly fighting with the boat (it was pretty windy and wavy so inexperience was probably a factor too) I've recently taken out a P&H Capella and a Prijon Seayak. The Capella was nice, lighter and smaller than the Sealoution, a bit tippy but I'm sure I would get used to it. The Seayak was nice, fit much better than the Sealoution as well, but it had no rudder (which I could get for $200 but don't want to rely on) and I noticed some weather cocking. HELP! I'm looking for an intermediate to expert boat that I can 'grow into' so I won't have to buy again in the very near future (which I think would be the case if I got say, a Muktuk) I don't have any idea what boat to try next. Should I buy new or used, does it really matter? Suggestions?? Any help/advice you can give would be greatly appreciated. Would love to hear from anyone in the area that kayaks! Thanks in advance, Mari Roach *************************************************************************** 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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