At 09:09 AM 5/11/01 -0400, Bob Denton wrote: > >I suggest that we develop a standard Paddlewise kayak review format that >would assist others in at least, narrowing their range of choices, for >demonstrations, etc. We should differentiate between kayaks owned, >paddled extensively and just demoed and also have the age, weight, >height and fitness of the paddler as part of the review. The reviews >could be accompanied with photographs and other owner's tips and >suggestions. > >This could become a valuable resource for the paddling community. > >What do the Wisenheimers think? The idea has potential, but there is a big pitfall -- even if we try to account for it, there still isn't any way we can account for the non-level playing field of various reviewers. We have in the past talked about the Paddling.net reviews. The problem is that you have an experienced and highly skilled paddler reviewing, say, a Nordkapp, just to pull a boat out of mid air. He has some bones to pick with it, maybe stability, maybe something else, but thinks it's pretty good, so gives it a 7. An inexperienced paddler buys his first boat, say, a Perception Vizcaya, and thinks its the greatest thing since canned beer, so rates it as a 10. The end result is that the Vizcaya is skewed high, and the Nordkapp low. Swap paddlers -- the Nordkapp now gets a 2, because the inexperienced guy can't stay in it. The experienced guy gives the Vizcaya a 2, by comparing it to the Nordkapp. While I am no real fan of Sea Kayaker reviews, for reasons we have discussed before, I do have to admit that they do a pretty good, if not perfect, job of leveling the playing field before they start testing, by limiting the reviewers to a small, highly experienced group. -- Wes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wes Boyd's Kayak Place http://www2.dmci.net/wesboyd/kayak.htm Kayaks for Big Guys (And Gals) | Trip Reports | Places To Go | Boats & Gear --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri May 11 2001 - 10:02:53 PDT
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