Hi There, My name is Mark McGillivray and I am based on the West Coast of Scotland, on the Firth of Clyde, near Glasgow. I took up kayaking seriously about six months ago, attending my local club and making good progress. I obtained an old kayak of unknown make (a general purpose boat about 14 ft long) to practice at weekends at my local lake and tried it out on a few trips. I'm now at the stage where I'm thinking about a new boat. My ideas are leaning towards something like a Perception Carolina, as I have the opportunity to do a lot of flat water paddling on lakes, but I am also within ten miles of the sea, and I have heard that it is also a good beginners boat for a budding sea kayaker wanting to try out coastal paddling. Your thoughts and advice would be appreciated? Thanks Mark *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
<grin> Can't you lose your citizenship or something awful like that for even _thinking_ about buying a non-Brit boat?!! > -----Original Message----- > From: Mark McGillivray [mailto:mark.mcgillivray_at_virgin.net] > Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 11:56 AM > > My name is Mark McGillivray and I am based on the West Coast > of Scotland, on > the Firth of Clyde, near Glasgow. snip > > I'm now at the stage where I'm thinking about a new boat. My ideas are > leaning towards something like a Perception Carolina, snip Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Mark, I guess the grass does seem greener.......... On this side of "The Pond", many of us lust after British boats. You may want to check out the VCP Avocet, the P&H Capella, Impex Diamante. Each of these boats fit your usage and will probably be much cheaper that the Carolina. Jed McMacAloon *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 07:43 PM 8/8/00 EDT, LedJube_at_aol.com wrote: >Hi Mark, > > I guess the grass does seem greener.......... > > On this side of "The Pond", many of us lust after British boats. You may >want to check out the VCP Avocet, the P&H Capella, Impex Diamante. Each of >these boats fit your usage and will probably be much cheaper that the >Carolina. Agreed, but for a slightly different reason. The Perception probably isn't a heck of a lot better than the boat you have now, and you're obviously already lusting for more performance. I can't speak to prices on your side of the pond, but the Canadian-built (I believe) Diamante is considered an excellent boat for the price. -- Wes *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>>You may want to check out the VCP Avocet, the P&H Capella, Impex Diamante. >Agreed, but for a slightly different reason. ... but the Canadian-built >>(I believe) Diamante is considered an excellent boat for the price. I'm curious, who makes the Diamante... I just did a quick search on Yahoo Canada and didn't come up with any hits.... This is not a manufacturer nor a boat that I am familiar with.... -- cheers, Stephen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Tue, 08 Aug 2000 16:59:50, Wes Boyd wrote: >At 07:43 PM 8/8/00 EDT, LedJube_at_aol.com wrote: >>Hi Mark, >> >> I guess the grass does seem greener.......... >> >> On this side of "The Pond", many of us lust after British boats. You may >>want to check out the VCP Avocet, the P&H Capella, Impex Diamante. Each of >>these boats fit your usage and will probably be much cheaper that the >>Carolina. > >Agreed, but for a slightly different reason. The Perception probably isn't >a heck of a lot better than the boat you have now, and you're obviously >already lusting for more performance. I can't speak to prices on your side >of the pond, but the Canadian-built (I believe) Diamante is considered an >excellent boat for the price. > >-- Wes Hi Mark, I would only add the following thought(s) for now... I really don't like the term "beginner's boat" - especially when considering a purchase. A "beginner's boat" should last you about three days. If you're really enjoying paddling (how could you not?), I'd recommend getting a boat you, your skills, and your inspiration can "grow in to" rather than one that just "matches" your current skill and the types of conditions you "might" venture into at this point. This approach makes sense to me for a few reasons. It will last you a lot longer, being more cost efficient in the long run. You won't be frustrated with it in a few months, when you find that your skills and your inspiration to go further offshore have already surpassed what the boat is capable of. You don't really want to have to buy a new boat every few months. A really good boat will also inspire you to learn more, and learn it faster. If it means taking your time to find a boat that really inspires you in many ways, fits you comfortably, is eminently seaworthy, and is well made, it's worth the wait of a few more weeks, months, etc. In addition to all the more "practical" considerations, be sure that you love the boat aesthetically as well. Every boater deserves to love their boaty in all ways, not just in the ways that "make logical sense". A boat with the basic qualities I've mentioned should give you years of enjoyment and inspiration. Again - please don't buy a "beginner's boat" unless you intend to be a beginner for a good long while. Enjoy! Melissa *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 07:43 PM 8/8/00 -0400, LedJube_at_aol.com wrote: >Hi Mark, > > I guess the grass does seem greener.......... > > On this side of "The Pond", many of us lust after British boats. You may >want to check out the VCP Avocet, the P&H Capella, Impex Diamante. Each of >these boats fit your usage and will probably be much cheaper that the >Carolina. Those are all fine boats but unless there is a signifcant markup on the Carolina in Europe I doubt that any of them are gong to be less expensive, especially the fiberglass Diamante. The plastic VCP Avocet and the plastic P&H Capella would definately be good choices however. I did get the opportunity to see a Formula/Impex Diamante a couple of weekends ago and it looks like a nice boat. It was a lot of volume however so a person my size (5'8", 150#) would probably get lost in it. It has *huge* hatch openings so if someone is looking for something that is easy to pack the Diamante is a good choice. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Stephen Bird wrote: > > I'm curious, who makes the Diamante... I just did a quick search on Yahoo > Canada and didn't come up with any hits.... This is not a manufacturer nor > a boat that I am familiar with.... Check out http://www.impexkayak.com/formulak/index.html Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Mark! I bought a Carolina little over a year ago and have been very happy with it through my initiation into kayaking. The only down fall and this is not due to the kayak or it's manufacture is that it lacks the performance edge that as time goes on you will lust for, should you progress in your skills and expertise in kayaking. The boat is very stable and handles quite well and would not hinder you from learning any skills or techniques. My only thought is you may out grow this boat as fast as I have. So it's up to you as to what kind of Kayaker you plan on becoming. Most everyone will tell you to try as many different boats and brands that you can and don't expect your first boat to be your last. Good luck! Michael New Hampshire,USA -----Original Message----- From: Mark McGillivray [mailto:mark.mcgillivray_at_virgin.net] Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 3:56 PM To: PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net Subject: [Paddlewise] Thinking about a First Boat Hi There, My name is Mark McGillivray and I am based on the West Coast of Scotland, on the Firth of Clyde, near Glasgow. I took up kayaking seriously about six months ago, attending my local club and making good progress. I obtained an old kayak of unknown make (a general purpose boat about 14 ft long) to practice at weekends at my local lake and tried it out on a few trips. I'm now at the stage where I'm thinking about a new boat. My ideas are leaning towards something like a Perception Carolina, as I have the opportunity to do a lot of flat water paddling on lakes, but I am also within ten miles of the sea, and I have heard that it is also a good beginners boat for a budding sea kayaker wanting to try out coastal paddling. Your thoughts and advice would be appreciated? Thanks Mark *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Impex web link: http://www.impexkayak.com/formulak/index.html Michael -----Original Message----- From: Stephen Bird [mailto:stephen.bird_at_superaje.com] Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 9:35 PM To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Thinking about a First Boat >>You may want to check out the VCP Avocet, the P&H Capella, Impex Diamante. >Agreed, but for a slightly different reason. ... but the Canadian-built >>(I believe) Diamante is considered an excellent boat for the price. I'm curious, who makes the Diamante... I just did a quick search on Yahoo Canada and didn't come up with any hits.... This is not a manufacturer nor a boat that I am familiar with.... -- cheers, Stephen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Many Scots do not consider their country British! *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Mark, Usually I paddle a flatwaterboat and I have experience in a SeaLion and several other boats (also so called beginners boats). I recently hired a PE Perception Carolina for a flat water trip. To me it felt like a bathtub. No responsiveness and a huge initial stability. No fun for me. So it depends what you like, but if you want to stay longer with the sport, I would go for a more sporty boat. Greetings, Merijn ****************************** Merijn Wijnen Vinkenhofje 8 5613 CN Eindhoven The Netherlands Tel.: 040-2939991 (job: 040-2650539) Fax: same as tel., call before sending or try twice E-mail: Home: merijn_at_music.demon.nl Job: m.wijnen_at_ind.tno.nl Web-site: http://www.music.demon.nl *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:16 PDT