Re: [Paddlewise] Change of Topic(s) Was Re: Hav

In a message dated 1/31/00 9:52:46 AM, rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com writes:

<< I think it is unfair to use labels like "manic" about other people's
desires.  That aside, there is likely no such thing as the perfect
kayak.  People should look around a little bit and then buy something. 
When you have that something for awhile then you can continue the search
with a better set of reference points of what may be more or less
perfectly suitable to you. >>

It's okay, Ralph. I think I'm one of the "manic" lookers he's talking about 
and he's right, I've been manic about it. I did look and found what I wanted 
but then was told I couldn't have it because they changed it! So, I wanted to 
know what was like what I wanted. Then I got one but that one didn't work out 
and I was back to wanting what I couldn't have and what was kind of like it 
was broken! Sheeh, this gets wearing on the nerves. No wonder I became manic.
    BTW, there is such a thing as a perfect boat. It just depends on what day 
it is. You  just have to narrow/define your terms a bit <G>.

<<Also one should be careful in listening to recommendations unless the
source has lots of experiences with lots of boats of the type. 
Otherwise you are getting one person's personal limited view.  Also you
need to know what type paddler he or she is, what kind of paddling they
like to do, etc. and see if it matches up realistically with what you do
or are going to do.  To borrow from what I hear from my scientist
friends, solutions are all in asking the right questions.>>

    Back channel is a great place to talk. I've enjoyed all the messages I've 
received and the funny thing is that most of them agree in general. Passions 
move some to different places but generally I got the same recommendations 
from a lot of quarters. I guess it helped a great deal that I could describe 
the boat I wanted.
    Something that surprised me was that there was a real limited selection 
of choices provided. I know there are many brands of boats I don't know 
anything about. I was guided to Matt's boats by many. I wanted a Current 
Designs Gulfstream and several people suggested the Romany 16, or the 
Pintail, which is too low volume for what I want. And then there were those 
who went farther afield with suggestions I understood were for boats that 
people obviously loved and wanted to promote but I knew where not where I 
wanted to go in getting a new boat.
    I learned a lot of things I didn't know and looked at resources I hadn't 
thought of. That is one of the great things about Paddlewise, the depth and 
breath of knowledge out there people truly want to share.

<<> Sponsons, yeah, that's a good
> topic, everyone should equip their boat with them...>>

Sorry, Doug. I don't want to talk about sponsons. Maybe Ralph does but I've 
never even seen a sponson, I don't think.

To all who have been of help in my search for a Gulfstream, thanks. I found 
one locally, it isn't purple but it has the '99 seat and is new. I have a 
warrantee to fall back on if the skeg gives out or anything else goes wacko, 
as seems to be my fate these days. I paid full price, I could have saved a 
few hundred if I had waited a couple of days but I usually do run headlong 
into Murphy. But I did get a yellow boat just like the one Woody started 
with. With all his tinkering I think we'll be able to tell our boats apart.
    What a great learning experience. Thank you all.

I still haven't spent any time seeing at what the boat looks like. It is all 
warped in the tent I made of 2X4s and tarps to keep the ice storm off of it. 
I have high hopes for enough of a thaw that I'll get a good look at her 
before this weekend.

Joan Spinner (a little less manic and getting better)
                              * * *
Looking for a thaw on the Chesapeake Bay 
watershed. In the back yard a red, 
CD Breeze and a yellow/white Gulfstream FINALLY
(the next one will be a purple boat, though)


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