[Paddlewise] First post about first boat (Impex, by the way)

Hello, Paddlewisers!

After many months of lurking and taking advantage of
the wealth of information and entertaining posts on
this list, I've decided to delurk momentarily for a
couple of reasons -- one being to express my delight
in having found this resource -- I've been a "virtual
kayaker" for 2 years now, basically learning about the
sport through every sea kayak-related site I could
find on the Internet, subscribing to various paddling
magazines, nosing my way through several books and
videos on the subject and taking a one-day
sea-kayaking class.  All the while asking questions at
retailers and outfitters and demo-ing LOTS of boats
along the way trying to find a suitable first boat. 
My dream boat for many months was the Arctic Hawk --
all other boats paled in comparison in my mind -- I
HAD to have one...then I demo-ed one and the dream was
crushed --that beauty was WAY over my head.  Have
tried almost the entire line (it seems) of Current
Design boats -- including the Caribou S, which in
theory I thought was to be "IT".  Couldn't enjoy the
ride because of the "no support" back rest (it's a
picky thing perhaps, but was a nagging concern for
me.)  
I had attended Paddlesport in April here in Jersey and
had a brief introduction to the Impex Formula line --
had heard great things about the Diamante and was
anxious to see one in person. So when I strolled over
to the Impex area the Diamante was the familiar boat
that caught my eye, but underneath it on the rack was
a smaller boat called the Montauk.  The rep mentioned
it was a new model for Formula -- just released a
month or so ago.  I stored the specs in my mind
(including the 35lb weight in carbon-kevlar.)  A
couple months later I ran across this boat again at my
favorite retailer and took it for a test drive.  I had
finally found my boat(!) and ordered one that day (the
joy is even greater I've found, when you get a
custom-made boat!) I looked for the Impex site online
as I had questions regarding the boat and about Impex
itself -- I didn't know anything about the company
other than it's boats were manufactured in Canada and
that they had a base in Bellport, NY.  Also appeared
that their distributor was based in North Carolina.  I
found a phone # and spoke with sales manager Jim Hager
in NC who patiently answered many questions for me.  I
am now the proud owner of a 35# carbon-kevlar Montauk
and couldn't be more pleased.  Its maiden "voyage" was
this past weekend on a favorite Adirondack lake.  The
boat moves like a breeze on water (and off) and will
be a great boat to learn with.  Anyway, if you've
gotten this far (thank you!) -- that's my kayak life-
story up to now.  Next step is finding a class nearby
to learn rolls -- among MANY other things.  

Lastly, just want to thank the list for all the
knowledge gained and questioned answered on a daily
basis.  I look forward to the posts each day and
wonder what topics will be tossed around and explored
today.  I especially like to read Ralph's posts
regarding the NYC area and the Downtown Boathouse as I
have the pleasure to view the Boathouse on a daily
basis at work and have gotten my daily kayak fix from
watching the folks launch their boats from the dock
there.  Anyhoo, my thanks to all for helping another
newbie to learn, to respect and to enjoy this unique
sport/pastime.  Hope to meet some of you on the water
someday! 

Regards,

Tika Gulick


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