Re: [Paddlewise] Heavy Thoughts (was Boat Construction)

<snip Doug's post>
Larry said:
>i listened to lots of folks before buying a kayak. one of the older fellows
>had the
>view of Brit heavy being best. nothing was better than his Nordkapp, that's
>the one he always paddled.
>
>now just 3 years later his boat is for sale. he tells all the great things
>about it to all the new folks looking for  boats... however, he traded it
>for a much lighter boat that is easier to haul between car and water.
>
>light boats can be suitable for the conditions that the vast majority of
>paddlers encounter... might not fair so well in a hurricane. when in a
>storm, prepare for a storm. when bird watching, bring binoculars and maybe a
>camera.

Larry, et al:

I like heavy, stiff, strong kayaks - and it doesn't have to be a hurricane
to get really nasty under the wrong conditions. I gave up hurricane
paddling (the latest issue of Sea Kayaker Magazine has a story about me
that shows why at the beginning of my Tether article -  SK removed all
references to wind speeds lest no one take me seriously).

When I'm old and decrepid, I'll get a lighter boat. I may even get a
lighter boat before then just for quick mornin' paddles where the goal is
simply fitness and fast to-and-from-water easability. Lightweight (with
good strength) is also good for long, expedition paddles. But I am reminded
of Paul Caffyn's first attempt paddling to the NW Passage a few years ago.
He had a custom Nordkapp laid-up real light. He had to abandon the trip and
return to New Zealand, when water started to seep through the very fabric
of the hull along with other problems. 

I'm staying with heavy-duty and rigid, even if everyone on paddlewise
disagrees with me and all think light is better! As Voltaire said: "Every
man is the creature of the age in which he lives; very few are able to
raise themselves above the ideas of the time." Okay, so I have a hard time
raising my Nordkapp above my head onto the roof racks. Think of it as free
weight training.

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd (a low-brow paddler with heavy thoughts)
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