Re: [Paddlewise] subjective evaluation of kayaks

Kathea and Ken wrote:
> 
>     I'll go ahead and do a subjective evaluation of a couple of boats that I
> have owned, and we can see how I did after I've finished.  I do think that Sea
> Kayaker does a good job with their reviews, but I always have to chuckle at
> the fact that some boats track well for one reviewer, and poorly for another,
> and that whether one can get in butt first and legs second is thought to be of
> any importance.  It is also hard to understand why the hatches leak for one
> person, and not for another.  Sometimes I think I've learned more about the
> reviewers than the boats.

Great job on your reviews, Ken.  I have paddled neither of these boats
[Eddyline Falcon 16 and 18], though I have looked them over carefully, and
others locally own them.

I felt I really got a good sense of the strengths and weaknesses of the two
variations -- much better sense than I do from the SK reviews.  I find their
attempt to "integrate" the observations of the two or three reviewers
disjointed and jangly.  I don't get an integrated, holistic picture of the boat
that way.

'Course, I think you used more words than they do!  (Could be wrong about that
...)

The brief description of your own capabilities and paddling style was very
helpful in interpreting your review -- I knew where you were coming from.  If I
had reviewed the Falcon 16, the review would have been totally skewed, because
I don't roll, and rely on the primary stability of a boat more than you do. 
Someone reading my review would want to know those things.

Thanks for getting this started.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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