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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Preamble: My mail has been in a funk the last couple of days, and I haven't received many messages. Please forgive me if my comments have already been covered by someone else... Jed wrote: >>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.<< -snip- A small nitpicky thing or two (or three - or more)... "No rudder and no skeg" are not necessarily indicators of so called "recreational" kayaks. Many fine, full featured, seaworthy, and generally extremely lovely kayaks have neither :-). Also - some sea kayaks don't have bulkheads or deck hatches - and use floatation and sea socks instead. For instance - folding, and more traditional skin on frame kayaks. For unloaded day paddles in a folding or other skin on frame boat, or a rigid boat with no bulkheads, floatation bags, and sometimes sea socks are used in addition to the float bags. For trips where loading is necessary, packing carefully with a number of dry bags and possibly the use of a sea sock can compensate for lack of bulkhead/floatation. Something Patrick M. mentioned makes great semantic sense as well: >>>Try and be honest with yourself. Remember that in the end, this is recreational for all of us (all of the sustenance hunters on the list aside).<<< Aside from Patrick's comment here, which I agree with, I think that John F. made some good points as to the essential differences between "recreational" and the more "serious" touring boaties. All that said, I would add that there are indeed enough significant differences in handling and seaworthiness of various boats to warrant careful consideration beyond just the loose definitions of "recreational" or "serious touring" boats when looking for a new boat. And one last thing... Though it's quite true that any boat is better than no boat, it's also true that if you love your boat in every way that is important to you (aesthetics included), and it, combined with your skills, can get you safely and with pleasure on and through the waters you paddle, it's probably a good match. While one boat can do many things, and take you many places with pleasure and safety, in your lifetime, you'll probably find reasons to own and paddle a variety of bonny wee boaties. Just be sure to have lots of garage space - and don't feel bad if there's no room for your car in it. I say "allow your fleet to grow with abandon" - and be happy. Melissa *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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