Bayside Bob, Can't say it's the perfect boat, but I love my Arctic Hawk by Wilderness Solutions. Whether you can enter butt first depends on how big you are; I can't, but then I'm old and rigid. It took me a season to get used to this Greenland-styler, but as I've gained confidence, I have come to love the way it handles. Biggest seas have been 4-5 feet. Rick *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 12/2/99 10:13:39 PM ptreby_at_ozemail.com.au writes: > 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). 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. Surfs wind wavs nicely. I'm able to go for good rides without broaching. Construction is top notch. No leaking. Seat is comfortable. Solid footpegs. 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. Any beefs? Small hatch rear of the seat is hard to get on and off. Sliding cable for skeg could have a better "grab", could use a little thicker padding where my knee makes contact with the deck. Dream Boat. Michael Madsion WI *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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 *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Anyone familiar with the CD Caribou S ? Anyone love or hate any other boats? It's winter and I'm trying to make up a "short list". Not particularly interested in volume. I don't camp. One year without a flush toilet, not to mention scorpions cobras, bamboo vipers, leeches, lice, malaria and plague sorta soured me on it. The cockpit has to be big enough to sit in first and slip my feet in afterward. And the fewer moving parts the better. I distrust magazine (any magazine) kayak reviews. I don't recall any of them ending in "don't get this boat". The same folks who submit boats for review do pay for ads. All real opinions much appreciated. Thanks Bob *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Woody - you observed - << 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.>> Great pun! - Bill Hansen *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>The cockpit has to be big enough to sit in first and >slip my feet in afterward. ....Wish I could make MY body do that in ANY cockpit.... *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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