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 *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Tika, congrats on getting a new boat and going from virtual to reality in paddling. tika wrote: > 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. I find that I am on nay side of the buying a boat that you can grow into axiom. It seems to be an axiom that doesn't work for many paddlers. I think you are best off with a kayak that suits you right now and here and that you will paddle, paddle lots. Years ago there was a great push to sell Nordkapps to newcomers with that axiom of getting a boat you will grow into was being heralded. Many a Nordkapp owner didn't grow into his/her boat and the classifieds were full of the aftermath of this, i.e. Nordkapps being dumped by discouraged paddlers. Some perservered and were happier for this. But it took time. I know one fellow who was scared to death of his kayak but kept plugging away and eventually become truly one with his boat and a superb paddler after a long year of steadily trying. But many were not able to so doggedly pursue this quest. I have seen the same with the Khats with paddlers having to add ballast to keep it upright and even say things like "The Khats is my fair weather boat" meaning the paddler was not confident in it in heavy seas where actually a highly skilled paddler would be in heaven with that boat. That is why I stressed so much the Feathercraft K-1 alternative and even the K-Light in my posting under "K-1". Anyway that is my opinion based on seeing a lot of people go through the effort. I know a lot of experienced paddlers will differ with me on this one. I am not certain it is an argument anyone can win, but it is worthwhile letting first-timers be aware of the pluses and minuses involved. > 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! You should probably do more than just look at the Boathouse but actually go and paddle in the public free kayak program. It is open on weekends and often in the late afternoon on weekdays. Weekend hours are from 9 to 6 pm (the free trips to the Statue of Liberty or the Intrepid aircraft carrier meet before 8 am and often has a lottery because of the high demand for these free trips). To check the weekday status call 212-385-2790 for a message that changes each day in mid-morning. The weekday opening depends on whether a volunteer is available to open up the place. Hours generally are from 4 pm to 7 pm, but check the outgoing phone message before wandering over. Anyone visiting NYC on business or pleasure this summer might want to check out the Boathouse either during the week or on weekends. A nice way to spend a bit of time on the water and be refreshed. Of course, Tika, you can bring your new Montauk to the Boathouse. Launching is free and you can probably pick up some tips. You will also find sources of instruction by going to the Links section of http://www.downtownboathouse.org ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** 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 12:55 PM 8/9/00 -0700, ralph diaz wrote: >Tika, >I find that I am on nay side of the buying a boat that you can grow into >axiom. It seems to be an axiom that doesn't work for many paddlers. I >think you are best off with a kayak that suits you right now and here >and that you will paddle, paddle lots. Years ago there was a great push >to sell Nordkapps to newcomers with that axiom of getting a boat you >will grow into was being heralded. Many a Nordkapp owner didn't grow >into his/her boat and the classifieds were full of the aftermath of >this, i.e. Nordkapps being dumped by discouraged paddlers. Some >perservered and were happier for this. But it took time. I know one Yeah, but . . . there's a heckuva difference between a sweet handling, reasonable boat like the Diamante, and an obsolescent fiberglass snake like a Nordkapp. I suspect a lot of people paddle Nordkapps due to the charisma factor . . . "He's gotta be one heck of a kayaker -- he paddles a Nordkapp." Ducking and covering, -- 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/ ***************************************************************************
On Wed, 09 Aug 2000 15:57:52, you wrote: >>Many a Nordkapp owner didn't grow into his/her boat ... >Yeah, but . . . there's a heckuva difference ... I always found my Nordkapp (which I was paddling last Saturday) totally stable and easy to paddle, even for a first boat. Since then I have bought a P&H Sirius and Spitzbergen (paddled last Friday). I guess that it all depends on the individual. :) -- 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 Wed, 09 Aug 2000 15:57:52, Wes Boyd wrote: But first, Ralph wrote: >>Years ago there was a great push >>to sell Nordkapps to newcomers with that axiom of getting a boat you >>will grow into was being heralded. Many a Nordkapp owner didn't grow >>into his/her boat and the classifieds were full of the aftermath of >>this, i.e. Nordkapps being dumped by discouraged paddlers. Some >>perservered and were happier for this. But it took time. I know one And then Wes remarked: > >Yeah, but . . . there's a heckuva difference between a sweet handling, >reasonable boat like the Diamante, and an obsolescent fiberglass snake like >a Nordkapp. I suspect a lot of people paddle Nordkapps due to the charisma >factor . . . "He's gotta be one heck of a kayaker -- he paddles a Nordkapp." > >Ducking and covering, >-- Wes > I'll have to agree with Wes here. I know that Stephen B. seems to like his Nordkapp, and many others do as well, but I've paddled them on a number of occasions, and was not particularly favorably impressed. Stability wasn't a problem, but the silly things just don't like to turn. So much really is a matter of very personal preference (in other words, there's no accounting for taste). Ducking, covering, and thinking about putting on my [not stinky] flameproof wetsuit, 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/ ***************************************************************************
There are two distinct older Nordkapp designs. One was designed specifically for expeditions and has a built in "keel" which is designed NOT to turn. The standard hull has quite a bit of rocker and turns easily but benefits greatly, IMHO, from the skeg. The newer Jubilee version is more stable, has more volume in the bow, a much improved skeg but is a tad slower. Most Nordkapp owners cut out the seats and replace it with minicell, which makes for a more comfortable paddle. cya >>> I'll have to agree with Wes here. I know that Stephen B. seems to like his Nordkapp, and many others do as well, but I've paddled them on a number of occasions, and was not particularly favorably impressed. Stability wasn't a problem, but the silly things just don't like to turn. So much really is a matter of very personal preference (in other words, there's no accounting for taste). *************************************************************************** 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 Thu, 10 Aug 2000 10:08:15 -0400, you wrote: >There are two distinct older Nordkapp designs. One was designed specifically >for expeditions and has a built in "keel" which is designed NOT to turn. The >standard hull has quite a bit of rocker and turns easily but benefits >greatly, IMHO, from the skeg. My Nordkapp is one of the older models with the built-in keel/skeg. One thing that I like about it is that it goes in a fairly straight line as my turns tend to be gradual. The Spitzbergen is supposed to be tippy, but I haven't found it to be that way. The Sirius is quite stable. -- 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/ ***************************************************************************
From: "Bob Denton" > There are two distinct older Nordkapp designs. > The newer Jubilee version is more stable, has more volume in the bow, a much > improved skeg but is a tad slower. > Most Nordkapp owners cut out the seats and replace it with minicell, which makes for a more comfortable paddle. early on i paddled a Nordkapp with a skeg. fine heavy boat. do i need heavy? i wondered why a fine boat needed a skeg. then i read the literature and found that there were numerous Nordkapp designs. then i wondered why a fine boat need so many designs. in the end, i found that another hull design suited my needs so i didn't need to buy into the Nordkapp myth. Nordkapp's are fine boats, just 'there's no explaining taste in food and fashion' bye bye bliven *************************************************************************** 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 07:13 pm 10/08/00 -0400, you wrote: >From: "Bob Denton" > > > There are two distinct older Nordkapp designs. Three if you count the NZ version. > > Most Nordkapp owners cut out the seats and replace it with minicell, >which makes for a more comfortable paddle. In NZ it is part of the bulkhead to keep the volume of the cockpit low >early on i paddled a Nordkapp with a skeg. fine heavy boat. > >do i need heavy? NZ boats are LIGHT. >i wondered why a fine boat needed a skeg. then i read the literature and >found that there were numerous Nordkapp designs. And NZ boats are all fitted with rudders and have the stern cut square. The advantage of straight running and easy turning. >Nordkapp's are fine boats, just 'there's no explaining taste in food and >fashion' And have done VERY long trips. NOTE: I don't paddle one. Alex . . Alex (Sandy) Ferguson Chemistry Department University of Canterbury New Zealand *************************************************************************** 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 folks are too kind to the Nerdcramp *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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