Re: [Paddlewise] Wrist challange...

Todd,

Matt Broze responded to your post by saying:

"The initial stability of the Hobie (Mirage) is relatively high but
without a paddle I think I'd
be pretty nervous in rough water (only tried it on calm water though).
Paddling the paddle version of that hull I discovered there wasn't much
secondary stability. The first time I leaned it to time how fast I could

turn it the deck went underwater and hooked the rail so quickly that it
was
a good thing I had a reflexive brace or I would have gotten wet."

And it made me think of  Richard Kemmers post:

"Then I learned something:  With its excellent secondary stability, the
boat
would not roll unless I lost MY balance.  As long as I had a paddle in
the
water and was either paddling or bracing, it made little difference what
the
boat was doing.  Eventually I became comfortable with the Arctic Hawk,
and
in most conditions today, I wonder why I ever thought it tippy.  But in
big
seas, especially with cross chop, I still take a minute to stop and
think:
As long as "I" stay upright, the boat will do just fine."

I have not tried the Hobie Mirage with the foot peddles, although I
intend to as my local outfitter has one in his rental fleet.
I can however say without hesitation that I have found Hobie's Pursuit
to be the perfect boat for me.
The reason I added the above comments is because beginners who have
tried my boat seem to find it tippy...
I like to introduce my new found love...kayaking... to as many of my
friends as will join me and have purchased a second, very wide, very
stable SOT for them. I have found that if I start them out in that boat
and then switch them to mine they do just fine...prior to this plan I
had more than a few friends be less than enthusiastic about kayaking.and
some of them "as mad as wet hens"
I am a flat water recreational paddler for the most part but enjoy the
chop I run into on Lake Travis at the aptly named "Windy Point". When
there is a stiff breeze the chop has whitecaps and the Pursuit is a
delight in these conditions. As with Matt I can not comment on how it
would be in rougher conditions.

The point to this ramble is that you should check out your local
outfitter and see if they have one to rent...My outfitter (wise man that
he is) suggested that I "test drive" several styles before making a
commitment and he was even nice enough to credit  my rentals toward the
eventual purchase.

The next thing I am anxious to try out is a small sail ( for sailing
downwind only). I wonder if this would be a benefit for you with your
wrist?  If you would like to hear more about my research into sails on
kayaks, just e-mail me. I owned a Hobie Cat sailboat prior to kayaking
and had to give it up due to a crunched disc in my  back...so it is only
natural that I would want to combine the two sports.

Best regards to all,

Rob Dee
Austin, Texas


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