Re: [Paddlewise] Random thoughts from a random mind...

At 11:46 AM 11/12/00 -0600, Rob Dee wrote:

>I would not (and do not) have a problem with peoples perception of
>sit-on-tops being thought of as some how "less than"...

I don't see sit-on-tops as "less than" other types of kayaks.  I see them
as almost every other style of kayak;  a design which has advantages and
disadvantages depending on the kind of paddling one is doing and the
conditions in which one typically paddles.  In your response I noticed that
you're from Austin.  Living near a warm water paddling area, a sit-on-top
makes sense.   That's why they also predominate in places like Florida
and Hawaii (where it's very difficult to find a closed cockpit kayak).
However,
for someone that lives in Maine, the Pacific Northwest, or anyplace where 
the water temperature is much colder than you'll find in the gulf, a
sit-on-top
doesn't look so good because it's a much wetter ride.

What annoys me are retailers that try to sell sit-on-tops and casual
recreational
kayaks as "beginners" kayaks.  A beginner that hopes to become a more advanced
paddler on whitewater or hopes to do some extended touring isn't being done
any
favors being sold a wide stable platform that might be easy to reenter.  I
believe
retailers are preying on the common beginners fear of capsizing and getting
stuck
upside down, when in reality all it takes is a couple of hours to learn how
to wet exit,
assisted and unassisted rescues, and become quite comfortable with the
stabiility
in a boat that measures 17' x 23".  If a beginner is interested in learning
doing extended
touring trips a kayak that is designed for that is much better than a
casual recreational
kayak that is designed for casual recreational activites such as bird
watching, fishing, or
spending a couple of hours puttering around a small watershed.



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