> -----Original Message----- > From: Jim [mailto:gse98_at_sprynet.com] > Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2000 5:26 PM > I know most folks on this list have very light and fast > kayaks, however, I > am getting married shortly, so am on a limited budget you > understand. I > just ordered a new kayak, a Dagger Atlantis. Yes, another > plastic boat, but > better to by plastic and get on the water that stand on shore > and wish…. > Anyway, does anyone have or know anyone who has any > experience with this > boat. I am hoping I did not make a mistake, as plastic boats > go… Thanks > Ahead of time. Jim, Don't worry about the kind of kayak you bought or whether it is made of plastic, wood, fibreglass, or anything else. Especially as it is your first kayak it will probably do everything you ask it to do. Just take it out and go places with it. If your needs (they're really desires but we justify them by calling them needs) change in the future as your skill level increases and your experience grows then you'll probably be a much more "educated" shopper. ie. you'll know from first-hand experience the strengths and weaknesses of your kayak _for the type of paddling you like to do_. That part is an important thing to remember - the perfect boat is the one that performs the way you want it to in the environment you enjoy paddling in (with time you may come to the conclusion that you need multiple kayaks/canoes to suit your paddling purposes<g>). Other folk's opinions can be useful when it comes to judging a kayak's characteristics but YOUR opinion for YOUR paddling style is what counts the most. I'd say that one of the most important things to do is to make sure that the kayak is properly fitted to your body - it (fit) can be critical in making many common kayaking techniques (edging, turning, rolling, etc) easy to perform. A mediocre design well outfitted can be easier to paddle than an excellent design without proper fitting. Good paddling! Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** 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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