Lee, I purchased my Q500X from QCC Kayaks about one year ago. I had a very positive experience with my purchase and feel that purchasing a Kayak via the web is a viable alternative to an in-store purchase (although I had reservations going into the deal). QCC customer service was outstanding. They delivered a quality built glass kayak (my choice of colors) to my house faster than I could get an equivalent kayak from any of the local dealers. Most dealers in my area have a limited inventory of glass/kevlar kayaks so my kayak would have been special ordered with a two month wait. I saved about 1/3 the cost of a purchase from a local dealer and got my boat in six weeks as QCC promised. Two of my paddling partners were impressed enough with my experience that they each purchased QCC kayaks. Workmanship is as good or better than most glass boats I have seen. Choice of components and design details are also above average. You may be able to find a better build kayak, but only if you are willing to spend much more money. I doubt you will be dissatisfied with the workmanship of QCC kayaks. The Q500X was designed for carrying a load (320 lbs optimal displacement). For day paddling, I have a displacement of 260 lbs which is about 10 lbs below the minimum recommendation for the design (I wanted plenty of extra carrying capacity for extended camping trips). At this light displacement the Q500X tends to weather when the wind gets above 10 knots, but if you put 20 lbs in the stern compartment the tendancy all but disappears in winds up to 15 knots. My kayak has the rudder so I deploy the rudder when the wind picks up and I am lightly loaded to overcome the tendancy to weather. You don't have to steer with the rudder, just deploying it seems to keep the boat tracking even up to 20 knots. The Q500X reponds admirably to a sweep, and in this regard, turning is similar the Current Designs Solstice GT and the Perception Sea Lion have paddled. The design is not hard-chined so it does not turn much when leaned. The cockpit is roomy and very comfortable on long paddles. The Q500X is efficient to paddle and it seem to slow down less than other designs when paddling into the wind. It handles chop up to 2.5 feet as good as any other kayaks I have paddled or paddled with. Hope this helps Paul Clarke -----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of Lee Hsieh Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2000 11:50 PM To: PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subject: [Paddlewise] QCC Kayaks Anyone have experience with QCC Kayaks? Someone on the list mentioned purchasing a kayak from them and I just wanted to get some more opinions. Thanks, Lee *************************************************************************** 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/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat Jun 17 2000 - 17:14:48 PDT
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