[Paddlewise] Boat comparing: VCP Skerray vs. NDK Romany Explorer

I thought I would post some thoughts on comparing these boats.  Please
evaluate these thoughts with the knowledge that I am perhaps an
intermediate paddler, without much experience in different boats.  This may
be of use to paddlers in a similar situation.

In the beginning, I liked the Skerray, because it seemed to turn much
easier than the Explorer.  In choppy seas, it tracked poorly without the
skeg, but pretty good with it.  The boat was slow, I thought, and the
bracing position -- mostly with the knees -- seemed uncomfortable.  Some of
this could be corrected, I suppose, by the use of foam, etc., to make the
boat fit better.

The Romany Explorer, however, fit me well.  I'm particularly enamored of
the "keyhole cockpit," which has these flange-like things that come over
the top of the thighs and a bit down the sides of the thighs.  This allows,
IMHO, for excellent bracing and seems better than bracing with the knees.
The Romany Explorers I have used have been without a skeg -- with one, they
should be great.

As I have said before, in Israel I can only try British kayaks, but in my
upcoming visit to the states I hope to try Mariner and CD kayaks as well.

Happy 4th to all Americans.  I hope you appreciate how fortunate you are
that you can throw out your government every few years -- most peoples of
the world do not have that privilege.  (Thank God we do in Israel as well!)

Josh
(dreaming of trying out kayaks in the States...)

==============================================================================
Dr. Joshua Teitelbaum, Research Fellow               Tel: [972] 3-640-6448
Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and        Fax: [972] 3-641-5802
  African Studies                                                       
Tel Aviv University
Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978  Israel
E-mail:teitelba_at_ccsg.tau.ac.il
www.dayan.org
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