Hello to all on Paddlewise: I'm new to Paddlewise and I'd like to say hi and give myself a brief introduction. I'm originally from northern Wisconsin and currently live in Madison, where I am an avid sea kayaker, whitewater kayaker and canoeist. Along with my full-time job working for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I also work part-time at one of the largest paddlesport shops in America. It is due to my experience working with lots of boat buyers that I would like to give my two cents on a past posting. When I was shopping and agonizing endlessly about such details, someone on usenet gave me the best advice I'd heard from anyone -- "Buy the boat you like." Too often have I seen people come into the store and purchase the sea kayak that "feels the best". I feel it's important to iterate that when you boat shop, be sure to purchase the boat you like best, not which boat has the best cockpit. I've had lots of customers explain to me what they're looking for in a touring kayak, only to go with a lesser boat because it "feels" more comfortable. Then they get it on the water and it performs in no way like what he/she was looking for. My humble advice is to be sure that the boat handles and performs the way you want it to. Cockpits can be altered and made "comfy" on any boat (within reason!) but the hull of a boat is forever formed. Other than that, Paddlewise looks great! Hope you all have a great holiday season. Mark ___________________________________ Mark Mastalski, Assistant Director Cooperative Education & Internship Program University of Wisconsin - Madison 1415 Engineering Drive, Room 1150 Madison, WI 53706-1619 (608) 262-7504 www.engr.wisc.edu/services/ecs *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:19 PDT