Re: [Paddlewise] Heavy Thoughts

Doug Lloyd wrote:

> I like heavy, stiff, strong kayaks

I understand why someone would choose a heavier boat which is supposed to
be significantly stronger than a lighter weight boat. (I tend to do this
myself too, but then I carry this burden completely on my own.)
But what is the advantage of heavy that you 'like'?

>When I'm in the CD retail connected store, watching customers get qualified
>for a possible sale, the number one question is "how light is it?"

I am afraid that if customers do not ask for lightweight, builders will
make boats heavier than necessary, which is almost as bad as making a boat
lighter than useful? That's the point we are dealing with here, I think.
Customers should be able to choose boats as light and strong as possible
and necessary.

>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 wonder than if VCP is really capable of building lightweight boats that
are also strong enough. Through experience with (European) canoe builders,
I have my doubts about firms who are not really accustomed to building
lightweight boats, and only do it once in a while just because a rare
customer asks for it.

Dirk Barends
the Netherlands


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