Re: [Paddlewise] Perfect Boat is Plastic!

At 11:34 AM 12/3/99 EST, Duane wrote to us shatterglass paddlers:

>When people on this list have been talking about the perfect kayak, I am 
>surprised no one has brought up plastic kayaks.  I own plastic and 
>shatterglass kayaks, and when it comes to really using (having fun) with a 
>kayak, it is almost always plastic for me.  Sure, shatterglass is
prettier, a 
>bit lighter, and holds its shape better.  But I'll take a little plastic oil 
>canning so that I can bounce off and slide over rocks without having a
second 
>thought about it.

Actually, Mr Spastic Plastic, rotomolded kayaks aren't getting older, their
getting better. Let me explain. While it is true that plastic kayaks suffer
from an eventual slow demise (see Matt's response), the technology is
getting better. Now, I'm not sure how the R&R is doing with other
companies, but Current Designs here in Victoria has come out with a newer
linear polyethylene material called "super-linear" compounded polyethylene.
>From what I've seen of it, the material now used produces a superior kayak
that is both more pleasing (bright, vivid colors) and stronger (read
stiffer), as well as more abrasion resistant. So, you will not need to
recycle your kayak so often. Personally, I'm literally a shatteglasser, and
have smashed up my fiberglass Nordkapp more times in the last twenty years
than the number of beer bottles you smash up on a weekend :-) I've recently
run 18-feet of 3/4-inch by 5/8-inch replaceable plastic strip down the full
keel of my kayak's hull - bloody-well the best of both worlds. 

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd (who obviously likes doing fiberglass repairs...and beer too,
Duane)
  
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************