Re: [Paddlewise] Folders: single, double, girlfriend?

>I need some advice! There are so many pros and cons to this issue. If I get
> >the double, I'm sure I'll be using it frequently as a single, if I get a
> >single, my girlfriend won't be able to join me for the occasional outing.
> >(At least Ralph says "solo paddling is fine" in the Aerius II). The 
>double
> >is 8 kilos heavier than the single.
> >
> >Any thoughts (especially from couples)?
> >
> >Peter

The question was whether to buy single kayaks or a double kayak. And the 
answer is: Yes. Buy both.
I do most of my touring either solo or with others who want to paddle their 
own canoe (so to speak). So I have a solo for these trips.
My wife is a fair-weather camper/kayaker, who also has some back problems, 
which means she cannot paddle continuously. Our double allows me to keep us 
both moving along, gondolier-style, even when she's taking a break from 
paddling. Result: no frustration on her part that I'm moving too fast or on 
mine that she's lagging behind. The double is also safer for the two of us: 
we cannot get separated, it's inherently more stable, and I can brace for 
both of us in beam seas (you can raft two singles up, but you cannot make 
progress this way, and I still don't think they'd be as stable as an 
aggressively braced double).
One change I'm making as a result of reading "Deep Trouble" and comments 
from Matt B. on Paddlewise is outfitting both cockpits of the double with 
seasocks; Matt makes the point that the floodable volume of most double 
cockpits means the kayak would float too low in the water to have much 
chance of pumping out without reswamping. (I long ago rigged the double with 
holders for paddlefloats behind both cockpits and I carry two paddlefloats, 
two pumps, and a stirrup to allow my wife to step-ladder back into the 
boat.) Thanks Matt, pointing out this vital factor with doubles.

Philip Torrens
N49°16' W123°06'


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