Re: [Paddlewise] Sea Kayaker Reviews or Manufacturers Statements?????

As a relative beginner to sea kayaking (four years) compared to many on 
this list I have to agree with Ralph.  I have been paddling a SeaYak since 
starting out - the price was right  - I traded a five year old touring bike 
for a brand new boat from a kayak shop owner when I knew nothing about 
kayaks, paddles or ???.

While I am considering which boat to "INVEST" in and I do consider US 2,500 
plus to be an investment I find it difficult to obtain information and/or 
reviews that are objective and will allow me to make side by side 
comparisons to the boats I have had a chance to paddle and those that I 
haven't, but might consider.  For such an excellent supply of kayak 
manufacturers, I am sure that many will agree that the particular 
availability of specific boats and/or manufacturers varies wildly by 
geographic region.  Try finding a VCP Aquila or NDK Explorer or Mariner in 
S. California.  One has no problem finding Necky or Current Design 
dealers.  Though Feathercraft has dealers here the models they stock are 
limited.  A plus in this area is Feathercraft referring me to a dealer who 
will rent a boat for three days.   They were extremely helpful - 
Feathercraft and their dealer!

Even stated design specifications such as: Length, Width, Weight, Volume 
are questionable when you realize that two boats that are  similar in size, 
volumes and weights will not paddle anywhere close to the same and will not 
hold the same amount of gear due to skeg boxes, bulkhead placement, etc.

Contacting some of the manufacturers is of little help.  Asking a couple of 
manufacturer's customer service/sales person for volume I have been 
answered with: "We don't know." to "Low, Medium and High".    If something 
that can be measured with total objectivity is answered in such a vague 
manner, how is one to consider their comments on performance 
characteristics.  I was very surprised at one of the better known B.C. 
located manufacturers stating that they don't calculate volumes because the 
owner thinks that it causes to much trouble and didn't like the way Sea 
Kayaker Magazine handled the reviews and stated their volumes.   I asked 
how one was to make honest comparisons between their own models let alone 
other manufacturers.  Their answer was basically:  That is all we provide 
and you can always go buy another manufacturers boat that gives you that 
information."   Great, how will they handle customer service after the 
fact.  Their answer:  "We take back boats all the time and replace them 
with new ones for reasons we don't have to."   Now that is reassuring on 
the subjectivity of Warranty Issues.  Why are they taking back so many 
boats - all the time?

See where subjectivity can lead.

If we were to dissect the Sea Kayak Reviews into outline form, which Ralph 
has already mentally done, and then have some of the extremely 
knowledgeable people on this list such as Matt Broze and Ralph Diaz expand 
on the outline in total and break some of the major areas into greater 
detail we could develop our own database of boat reviews submitted by the 
owner.  Thus giving us information on boats from all over the 
world.  Leaving a paragraph for subjective comments by the boat 
owner/reviewer.  After all, none of us has ever purchased a boat that 
wasn't the best kayak made, have we?  Upon submittal to the list, a round 
of questions could be posed to clarify any issues and make modifications to 
the review prior to putting it in the data base.  A non-committee review 
with a list critique.

I concur with Ralph on his comments on Mr. Broze.  When I contacted Mariner 
after receiving their information the main point emphasized was:  You need 
to paddle the boat before you make a decision!   Reviews and stats not 
withstanding!  I believe that
Mr. Broze and Mariner are some of the most forthright, straight shooting 
and honest folks I have run across when asking questions about their 
product.  Thanks Mariner!  I hope to get to Seattle in the near future.




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