Re: [Paddlewise] Boat Construction

In a message dated 1/9/00 10:15:27 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
Strosaker_at_aol.com writes:

> Plastic!  Plastic!  Plastic! 
>  How many times do I have to say it?
>  
>  Duane Strosaker
>  Not needing to worry about his plastic kayak falling apart in Southern 
California!

Until you truly believe it, Duane.  (^:

Those who make or sell only plastic KNOW they are vastly superior when 
talking them up to others.  The rest of us know that you choose the tool for 
the job.

Poly boats may have better impact resistance when relatively new and are 
definitely cheaper, but they have their drawbacks as well.

Points in fact:

1.  In the shop, I have repaired more holes in plastic boats than glass 
boats.  Most are from impact with rocks, a lot are from dragging the boats.  
One was 4-inches square, caused by a light bulb (melted).  Another was in the 
chine area of a relatively-new Sea Lion, beneath the seat, caused by 
side-surfing about 8 feet into a rock off the coast of Sta. Rosa Island -- 8 
inches long, gapping 1-1/2 inches at the center, edges curled inward an inch 
-- ugly.

2.   There is a beautiful plastic Brit poly (like the one you just sold) 
snorkeling in or about one of the caves on Sta. Cruz Island, accompanied by a 
poly SOT.  Both were killed by a large sneaker wave.  Six to eight inches of 
the bow was snapped off the SK when it went over the falls of the wave and 
met up with a rather permanent part of the island, making it impossible to 
recover the boat.

3.   A common acquaintance (James) had a relatively new Sea Lion fold on him 
in surf that a good glass boat wouldn't worry about.  He was taking a 
spanking in dumpers around 8 feet or so when the boat folded, oil-canning in 
at the deck enough to pin his legs, pressing down hard enough to really get 
his attention.  The deck popped back out before he would have needed to wet 
exit (had his roll failed), but it makes you wonder whether another 6 inches 
on the wave might have dislocated his knees or broken a leg.  )^:  Yuk!

4.   We have dropped at least three glass boats off the top arms of our 
trailer (about 7 feet) directly onto the pavement, scoring one 
easily-repaired broken seam (inside-glass only / no longer carried by us) and 
a few scratches, but no real damage.  I have a friend who had her glass boat 
part company with the rack at highway speeds, tumble and skid to a stop on 
the road, then paddle ten miles the same day, having sustained only slight 
scratching.

Composites aren't my choice for island caving or serious rock gardens either, 
but it is silly to think that a well-constructed composite boat cannot take a 
lot of abuse.  Plastic is plastic, is plastic -- period.  It is heavier, less 
rigid, slower and getting slower with every drag or skid over the rocks, 
subject to temporary or permanent damage from heat and deformation, and -- 
yes, has a little better impact resistance.  And yes -- it is also much 
cheaper.

Keep paddling and stirring the waters (ocean and Paddlewise)

Harold



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