Re: [Paddlewise] RE: A Can of Worms

>.  I am not particularly
> nationalistic and really like many of the British boats, but think that
> it is far more complex then the generalities you expressed.

Boy. . . I'll say.  I thought for a minute it was a troll.  Based on my
limited review of the boats available today, I would humbly suggest that the
distinction between "British boats" and "American boats" is currently of
very limited value.  Many characteristics once associated with the
respective "camps" have been adopted and incorporated by the other, and both
"sides" have made changes and advances previously associated with neither.
The whole distinction is silly, IMO, and is more an opportunity for Brits
and Americans to chastise each other a little bit, hopefully in good, clean
fun.

As far as I can tell, the primary difference between American and British
boats at this point, at least the ones referred to in the original post, is
that most of the British boats are still laid up by hand, whereas vacuum
bagging is more common in the American boats.  To some extent, I think this
reflects the British tendency to "stick with what works" (or to be slow to
adopt new technologies) -- the automobile analogy being somewhat
appropriate.  I love the old British sports cars -- I've owned a number of
them.  But no one in his right mind would claim they are well engineered or
technologically advanced.  Fun, sexy, and simple.  I would also think that
the tendency to lay up the boats by hand may reflect the fact that the Brits
often confront far more difficult coastlines and conditions than Americans
do.  Thus, the need for a tougher boat.  Hell. . .  I'll take the easier
coastlines any day, thank you.  There is also a tendency to identify British
boats with two or three designers -- Hutchinson and Nigel Dennis come to
mind.  That seems simplistic, as well.  The whole thing is really a
distraction, and of little if any real use.  Just my opinion, worth what you
paid for it.

Mark L

> by the way, whenever I use American I mean North American.

Right. . . including Canada and the Maritimes.  Not to mention Alaska, the
Northwest Territories, etc.  Gives the picture a different hue. . .

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