Re: [Paddlewise] subjective evaluation of kayaks

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kathea and Ken" <kayakfit_at_fidalgo.net>

> 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.

Well, I've always liked being able to get my legs out first, because it
makes sketchy exits and entries much easier. When there's more rocks than
beach, it allows me to get in and out of the kayak in deeper water so
there's less wear and tear on the hull of my kayak. It also makes dock exits
easier, especially when the dock is higher than normal. The other day, I was
paddling from Golden Gardens in Seattle, and for some reason I chose a
higher dock for my exit. (wasn't paying attention probably). It was pretty
comical, since the boat I was paddling had too small a cockpit and I could
not find the balance point to sit on the back deck to initiate my exit. I
had knee problems at the time that hindered my movement, but still I usually
have excellent balance in kayaks. A larger cockpit that would have allowed
me to raise my knees would have solved the problem completely.

Large cockpits, when properly designed, have no disadvantages except for a
slightly higher chance of implosion in large surf. It is possible to get
excellent thigh bracing in a large cockpit; ask any whitewater creekboater
about this, where leg-first exits are 100% necessary for survival. What
really bugs me is that so very few sea kayaks have even halfway decent thigh
braces. No wonder people think sea kayaks are hard to roll -- *any* kayak is
hard to roll without decent bracing. Now if only sea kayak manufacturers
would learn something from their whitewater brethren, where comfort,
control, and escapability are standard. But then again, I guess the current
state is good for your business :)

One thing about tracking... tracking is not just a physical characterisitic
of a kayak, it also a skill that must be learned. Since Sea Kayaker's
reviewers are not kayaking automatons, there will be minor variations in
perceived tracking characteristics because of different skill levels. That's
why there are three reviewers instead of only one.

Cheers,
KW

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