RE: [Paddlewise] The Perfect Boat

Michael Wrote:
> > Do you have any current nominations?
>
> Back in March I made the switch from a Dagger Magellan to a
> Gulfstream from
> Current Designs. Boy what a difference (not just aesthetically).

I was going to stay out of this loaded thread, but since you just HAD to go
and mention my boat...

> Weathercocking is pretty much a non-issue.  Most x nothing a raised knee
> can't handle.  If I do feel the need, the skeg is always there.

My experience with the Gulfstream is it does begin to weathercock in winds
above 10 MPH. The skeg easily counters this though and is balanced to the
point that the boat turns into the wind with the skeg retracted, and out of
the wind with it fully deployed. Pick a position in between to point the
boat where you want to go.

> Surfs wind
> wavs nicely.  I'm able to go for good rides without broaching.

Ditto!

> Construction is top notch.  No leaking.  Seat is comfortable.
> Solid footpegs.

Shortly after I got my kayak I thought mine leaked a little around the
bulkheads while practicing self rescues. Turns out there is a tiny hole
drilled in each bulkhead to keep pressure (or a vacuum) from building up
because the hatches seal so well!

> Rolling & stability - I tried to self-teach myself how to roll
> for 3 years in
> the old Magellan and could never do it.  This past summer I
> learned to roll
> in the Gulfstream.  Not bombproof, but it's coming along.
> Stability is just
> how I like it, solid yet playful.

My other kayak is a very low volume Guillemot which rolls very easy, so I
already had that going before I bought the Gulfstream. I would say the
Gulfstream (at a 23 inch beam) is just a bit more difficult than my (21 inch
beam) Guillemot. Is pretty predictable on edge and has really good primary
and secondary stability.

> Any beefs?   Small hatch rear of the seat is hard to get on and
> off.

303 on the 'inside' of the hatch cover and around the fiberglass lip makes
this MUCH easier.

My main gripe is the seat is narrower than the one in my Guillemot. If they
would make a slightly larger seat standard equipment, the Gulfstream would
fit a much broader range of paddlers.

This is a Derek Hutchinson  design. There is also a "heavy" version made by
P&H (Orion?). The heaviest wave action I've seen with her has been about 3'
on the Chesapeake Bay during small craft advisories (~20-25 MPH winds) and
it handled quite well.

When I was looking to buy a different kayak to supplement the Guillemot, I
went into the local outfitter and described to the owner what I was looking
for. She first took me over to the P&H version, but I almost wrenched my
back picking it up (Although I liked the "extras" on the P&H kayak). She
then told me about the Gulfstream, and that she paddled the smaller version,
the Slipstream. I carted the Gulfstream down to the water to demo it and
ended up playing for several hours before I came ashore. The next day I
rented the boat to take out on an extended day trip. I liked the boat so
much I ordered one the day I returned the rental.

Turns easily when shifting your weight, spins easily when leaned. I won't
claim it to be the perfect boat, but I is one of the better designs
available.

Woody


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