-----Original Message------ Tue, 8 Aug 2000 20:55:55 +0100 From: "Mark McGillivray" Subject: [Paddlewise] Thinking about a First Boat 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. ------------------------------ I have a Carolina. It is my first boat. I've been paddling for a few months. I have used it in NY Harbor, the Hudson River, and for surfing in the jAtlantic in relatively small waves. It seems fine to me. I'm 5-11 235 and it's not too tight for me. I've been through 2-3' waves, wakes, and clapotis without any problems except for increased heart and breathing rate which had more to do with my skill level than the boat. My Carolina cost $700. new plus $50 for trucking from the manufacturer. At that price, I don't mind dragging it over gravel, ledges etc. as need be. I was leaning towards getting a Perception Eclipse, but it seemed a little tight on me, and the plastic version costs $500. more, which was not a deal breaker, but a consideration. I've put that $500 and about $500 more into accessories already (wetsuits, hydrotop, booties, hood, paddling jacket, pump, paddle, skirt, paddle float, whistle, mirror, flashlight, flares, compass, chart, chart holder etc.) so don't forget to budget for that stuff. I was afraid I might be sorry I didn't get a more specialized sea kayak, but I don't feel that way now. I think it was a good choice. It's probably better for surfing than a 17' boat, and I think it will handle a good bit more than I can for a while. I will bet getting a lot more speed and handling out this boat as my technique improves. A better boat for me now wouldn't make my technique any better. But I'm a newbie. Maybe I'll outgrow it soon as some people have indicated would happen quickly with this boat. If I do, I'll probably keep it to have for the use of friends. In the meantime, it will give me a chance to find a boat I really like, instead of putting a lot of money into a boat that I don't really know and am hoping I'd like. If I don't want to keep it. I'll sell it and probably get at least $350. for it. I'd call that worth it. Tom Dowling *************************************************************************** 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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