Re: [Paddlewise] Nearly Fatal

> You're right.  I don't know what took place either.  It's a "he said,
> they said" situation, but I do know from personal experience, as well as
> anecdotes from others, that there are a lot of people venturing out
> there who are not armed with the right information, skills, or
> equipment.
>

I think there's an unreal assement on the part of first time buyers of what the
real cost of buying/equipping a boat is which leads to folks being out on the water
not only ignorant (OK, lets say inexperienced) and unprepared.  It's just not the
price tag on the boat along with paddle, spray skirt, etc., but all the peripheral
equipment that needs to enter into the equation.  It's simply not budgeted into the
percieved cost of the boat and can easily equal the cost of the boat itself just
for basic needs i.e. compass, 2nd paddle, paddlefloat, bailer, flares, chart
guides, dry/flotation bags, clothing, and on and on.  Personally, I would never
even consider going out without a second paddle in case the primary breaks or is
lost, even if I'm 100 yards from shore a strong tide or current could be more than
my "dog paddle" could handle.  But how many kayak shops advise, or newbies
consider, that a boat without proper equipment is just a floating coffin?

-Nick



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