[Paddlewise] recreational kayaks

Please allow me to clarify what I meant by a rec boat:
    A rec boat in this area of the US is defined as no bulkheads. no hatches, 
no flotation, no rudder and no skeg. Common dimensions are 9 to 11' long with 
beams of 30"+. They are typically sold for around $400-$500 to absolute 
novices that know no better and are not typically sold by paddleshops but 
rather by the chain-store outdoor shops.  They are closer to a semi-decked 
canoe than a kayak. They cannot be controlled with the knees since they offer 
no purchase. They are most often paddled without skirts since the skirts for 
these boats are often custom affairs.

<< Given that a skilled paddler could probably roll a bathtub, what exactly 
does "less capable" refer to? >>

    It refers to boats that do not allow knee purchase and hence edge control 
and are often overly beamy and hence become  difficult to handle on rougher 
water.

<< In my observation demo'ing boats, I saw that I could edge an arcadia 
[insert generic rec boat name here] to the coaming without much more 
difficulty than my eclipse or the Looksha I tried >>

    The Arcadia is not considered a rec boat by me or in this area of the 
states. The Arcadia is a short and stable seakayak with a rear bulkhead and 
hatch and can be fitted with a rudder.

<<  But in the end, if a rec boat makes a new paddler feel more comfortable, 
does it

really matter?  >>

    People can and will paddle whatever they want.  My response to the 
original post offered a suggestion not a dictate. Accept it or discard it, it 
matters not. But the facts remain that many 10'x30" boats are sold to 
beginners who believe they are kayaks ready for rthe river or the ocean and 
such is not the case.

Jed

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