Hi all, On saturday my dad and I lauched his newly build seakayak. An 18' West River build according to the article in Seakayer. We only tested it on flat water, and still without a backrest or band, but none the less it felt nice. Straight tracking but easily to turn when put on edge. But now for the real point: I found it very difficult to evaluate this boat objectively. It looks so gorgeous, with a white hull and dark mahogany-coloured deck, that it just feels faster and more agile than other boats I have paddled, including my Nordkapp HM klone. My question: how important are looks in the evaluation of a boat? Testing boats blindfolded is obviously not a good idea, but on the other hand, I think that for a lot of people looks do change how they appriciate a boat. For my self I am sure that I even paddle better in a boat that looks really good than in a boat that is just as good, but looks old and shabby. Lucky guy? My dad is not an avid kayaker, he just loves to make things and has lots of time. He is going to move to a place that has little water nearby, and (to my surprise) he offered the boat to me. So within a couple of weeks I will be the owner of this wooden dream machine. Happy paddling, Merijn ****************************** Merijn Wijnen Vinkenhofje 8 5613 CN Eindhoven The Netherlands Tel.: 040-2939991 (job: 040-2650539) Fax: same as tel., call before sending or try twice E-mail: Home: merijn_at_music.demon.nl Job: m.wijnen_at_ind.tno.nl Web-site: http://www.music.demon.nl *************************************************************************** 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 Sun May 13 2001 - 13:51:05 PDT
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