I have been looking for a new kayak for a couple of months now: light-weight (under 50 pounds), touring boat but under 17 feet, very stable, etc. I am female, short, wide-of-beam, and have not owned a 'real' touring sea-kayak before. I have been paddling for several years in various plastic boats. I saw a Viking made by Kajak Sport (Finland) that looks good and will test drive it Thursday. Has anyone had any good/bad experiences with this boat? Can you tell me a little more about handling than I see in the internet ads? There are reviews of lightweight sea kayaks in the August 2001 issue of 'Canoe & Kayak' . If you can talk about the Viking in the same way it would help. Thanks, Marinell *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> I saw a Viking made by Kajak Sport (Finland) that looks good > and will test > drive it Thursday. > Has anyone had any good/bad experiences with this boat? Can > you tell me a > little more about handling than I see in the internet ads? I'm not a home at the moment, but I "think" the Viking was reviewed in Sea Kayaker very recently (maybe the December issue) and I "think" it got a pretty good review. I'll check tonight when I get home. If someone else doesn't beat me to the punch, I'll report back Tuesday morning. If my memory is correct, I'll scan the review and send it to you as an attachment (that's not illegal, is it?). If my memory turns out to be incorrect...well....I suppose it's the aging process... forgive me. Rick - Poquoson, VA *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Rick's correct. The KajakSport Viking was written up in Seakayaker and it did get great reviews. It's a great boat and we have had very good luck with KajakSport boats. My 65 year young Mom has one! She loves it. It is right in the middle of the stability/ performance/ sporty boat field. It does everything a 16X22 should. Quite maneuverable and a sweet skeg system for adjustable tracking. If you are too broad of beam it could be a problem though, as the standard seat isn't huge. There is a larger seat that can be ordered. The workmanship is wonderful. Something that is a bit elusive on many "east side of the pond" boats. All in all, I strongly recommend the Viking. Steve Scherrer Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe N 45º 39' 47" 250 NE Tomahawk Isle Dr. W 122º 36' 16" Portland, OR 97217 Web: www.aldercreek.com Phone: 503.285.0464 Email: aldercreek_at_qwest.net *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On Mon, 7 Jan 2002, Marinell wrote: > I saw a Viking made by Kajak Sport (Finland) that looks good and will test > drive it Thursday. > > Has anyone had any good/bad experiences with this boat? Can you tell me a > little more about handling than I see in the internet ads? I have a Viking Expedition and love it. My other boat is an Eddyline Nighthawk (also a great one), so that's all I can compare it to knowledgeably. (I won't talk about the Necky Narpa that was the first boat I owned :). The Viking is sporty and manoeuverable, but not to the same extent as the Nighthawk. The Viking has better initial stability and it tracks better than the Nighthawk. It doesn't turn on a dime the way the Nighthawk does, but it carves beautifully when you put it on edge. It's easy to roll (easier than the Nighthawk) and it surfs like a champ. It's a beautiful boat to look at! It weathercocks more than the Nighthawk, but the skeg solves the problem. The Viking received great reviews in a recent issue of Sea Kayaker magazine (85:15). Of course, all this gushing means nothing if the boat doesn't fit you or if you don't like the way it handles. Good luck! -Paul *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 01:36 PM 1/7/02 -0800, Paul Murtaugh wrote: >On Mon, 7 Jan 2002, Marinell wrote: > > > I saw a Viking made by Kajak Sport (Finland) that looks good and will test > > drive it Thursday. > > > > Has anyone had any good/bad experiences with this boat? Can you tell me a > > little more about handling than I see in the internet ads? > >I have a Viking Expedition and love it. My other boat is >an Eddyline Nighthawk (also a great one), so that's all I >can compare it to knowledgeably. (I won't talk about the >Necky Narpa that was the first boat I owned :). > >The Viking is sporty and manoeuverable, but not to the same >extent as the Nighthawk. The Viking has better initial >stability and it tracks better than the Nighthawk. It doesn't >turn on a dime the way the Nighthawk does, but it carves >beautifully when you put it on edge. It's easy to roll (easier >than the Nighthawk) and it surfs like a champ. It's a >beautiful boat to look at! It weathercocks more than the >Nighthawk, but the skeg solves the problem. While it looks like Paul is recommending the Viking over the Eddyline Nighthawk I think that you (Marinell) should definitively give the Nighthawk a try as well. I rented one when I was in Florida a few weeks ago and thought it was a real nice boat. I too, thought it's initial stability was a bit low (less than I expected) but it was easy to get used to. It had really nice secondary stability though. It was a good boat for practicing sweep strokes with the hull edged aggressively since it was so responsive. It's very light, though not as light as the advertised weight of the Viking (has anyone confirmed that it is actually only 41 pounds?). It's also under $2000. Have you paddled Sandy's Seda Gypsy, Marinell? If so, what did you think of it? *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
<<I saw a Viking made by Kajak Sport (Finland) that looks good and will test drive it Thursday.>> Looks nice, Marinell....care to translate length, beam, and weight? glass weight v. kevlar weight? The yellow Viking that came up via google showed a skeg; whereas the Expedition did not - presumably so you can add a rudder. Does the outfitter have one you could rent for an extended paddle? FBO is having its demo days in february, i believe. sandy kramer *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
To Gypsykayak > > Looks nice, Marinell....care to translate length, beam, and weight? glass weight v. kevlar weight? > Length--498 cm (16'3"), Width--56 cm (22.1"), Weight--19 kg (41.9 lbs) glass (no kevlar) > Does the outfitter have one you could rent for an extended paddle? Possibly. However, I will have his full attention on Thursday morning. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Marinell: Here's an idea. A Folbot Aleut folding kayak. It's sea worthy to a good extent, it's light - 39 lbs., it's also wide of beam, comfortable, and offers exceptional stability. And best of all it can be bagged up to completely confound your nosey security people (assuming bags in cars aren't disallowed in your community). Just a thought. Skip *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> Hi Marinell: > Here's an idea. A Folbot Aleut folding kayak. It's sea worthy to a good > extent, it's light - 39 lbs., it's also wide of beam, comfortable, and > offers exceptional stability. And best of all it can be bagged up to > completely confound your nosey security people (assuming bags in cars aren't > disallowed in your community). Just a thought. > > Skip ================================ Actually, the boat I'm looking at has a 'take-apart' option. It can be cut into 2 or 3 pieces. If I buy the option, I can put the Viking in the back of the van with my Loon without them being visible from the street. I can throw the old Lobo inside with them. It will be seen through the windows, but the security might not think the Lobo is a kayak. I could take apart the Viking and leave it on my sheltered front porch. The security guard would not know that it was a 'boat'. However, he might classify it as a 'statue'. The community association has to approve statues. A pink flamingo statue started that battle just before I moved in. I didn't do it. I do have a pink flamingo statue. Maybe I should throw the pink flamingo in the van. The 'take-apart' option is $1000 per cut. Now, y'all start a fund for me. If you get it together soon enough, it can go towards the take-apart boat. If not, then it will help with lawyer's fees. Thanks for your financial support ahead of time. You've all gone a long way towards keeping me smiling. Marinell *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Mairnell: A friend here did a "Christmas Island" display in her front yard this past Christmas. It consisted in part of Santa Claus in a kayak being pulled by pink flamingos. There were no community bylaws to prevent this, but a few of her neighbors did leave anonymous nasty notes in her mail box. Sound like something your neighbors might enjoy next Christmas? Skip ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marinell" <marinell3_at_home.com> To: <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net> Cc: "Joseph Cope" <josephcope_at_yahoo.com>; <patmossz_at_bellsouth.net> Sent: Monday, January 07, 2002 8:52 PM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Hunting for New Boat > ================================ > > I could take apart the Viking and leave it on my sheltered front porch. The > security guard would not know that it was a 'boat'. However, he might > classify it as a 'statue'. The community association has to approve > statues. A pink flamingo statue started that battle just before I moved in. > I didn't do it. I do have a pink flamingo statue. Maybe I should throw the > pink flamingo in the van. > Marinell *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> From: "Skip Sherrod" <skip-sherrod_at_home.com> > A friend here did a "Christmas Island" display in her front yard this past > Christmas. It consisted in part of Santa Claus in a kayak being pulled by > pink flamingos. hmmmm.... sounds like a plan for next Christmas' yard decor.... _ _, _ _, (-<~ \ (-<~ \ ) / ) / // // HO! HO ! // ,,.---. // ,,,---, HO! // / \\ // / \\ // / \\ \\ \ // / \\ \\ \ O :`--' v vvV\ | :`--' v vvV\ | / \ ___ """`---\ / \| .'"""`---\ / \| ooooo _( \ `. \| .' || ` - . {..`} ( ) ` - -\- - ' || ` - . { o }} ( ) / || ` - -_at_-_at_-- )/ ) /| || _____________(:____\______jf_)_ / | || \ / ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~ Jackie *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Jackie, My lovely daughter's wonderful husband is thinking along the same lines. Here's his contribution: (Look at both links) ======================================================= The title of this one is "Marinell Gets Even" or "Don't Screw with My Kayak". http://marinell.server101.com/kayak/flamingo.htm P.S. They sell flamingo boats at http://www.adventure-glass.com/Pinkflamingo.htm Just in case you're interested. Joe. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jackie Fenton" <jackie_at_muddypuppies.com> To: <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: Monday, January 07, 2002 11:51 PM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Hunting for New Boat > > > > hmmmm.... sounds like a plan for next Christmas' yard decor.... > > > _ _, _ _, > (-<~ \ (-<~ \ > ) / ) / > // // HO! HO ! > // ,,.---. // ,,,---, HO! > // / \\ // / \\ > // / \\ \\ \ // / \\ \\ \ O > :`--' v vvV\ | :`--' v vvV\ | / \ ___ > """`---\ / \| .'"""`---\ / \| ooooo _( \ > `. \| .' || ` - . {..`} ( ) > ` - -\- - ' || ` - . { o }} ( ) > / || ` - -_at_-_at_-- )/ ) > /| || _____________(:____\______jf_)_ > / | || \ / > ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ > ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~ > ~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~ > > Jackie > *************************************************************************** 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 sounds like the start of a great Paddlewise tradition! Got the kayak, now to hit Value Village for the Santa and the flamingos ;-) Diane > A friend here did a "Christmas Island" display in her front yard this past > Christmas. It consisted in part of Santa Claus in a kayak being pulled by > pink flamingos. There were no community bylaws to prevent this, but a few > of her neighbors did leave anonymous nasty notes in her mail box. > > Sound like something your neighbors might enjoy next Christmas? > > Skip > > *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> > Have you paddled Sandy's Seda Gypsy, Marinell? If so, what did you think > of it? > Yes, I tried the Seda Gypsy. In technical terms, it felt like a "tin can". The Current Designs Pachena DT felt like a better made boat (also more expensive). I am not going to feel the subtle differences between boats like many of you do. I think that that comes with experience with the individual boats. Now, I see why many of you keep buying and selling kayaks. Before trying the Viking, my only concern is that it is not a familiar brand, so I may have trouble selling it. Never thought of weighing a kayak before purchase. From what I am hearing, it sounds like a good idea. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 08:57 AM 1/8/02 -0500, Marinell wrote: > > > > Have you paddled Sandy's Seda Gypsy, Marinell? If so, what did you think > > of it? > > >Yes, I tried the Seda Gypsy. In technical terms, it felt like a "tin can". >The Current Designs Pachena DT felt like a better made boat (also more >expensive). I wonder if that "tin can" assessment has to do with primarily paddling plastic boats in the past. I don't recall it as being especially poorly made. I was asking because I was trying to get a sense of what kind of boat would be good for you in terms of initial stability. The Gypsy is a very stable boat compared to many touring kayaks and I'm just wondering of the Viking will feel really unstable for you. Just a bit of advice; if you get in the Viking or something else and it feels pretty unstable, just try to relax and get used to it. It might take 20 minutes to a couple of hours in it to start feeling more comfortable. Be prepared to get wet when you demo any boats. Even if you do capsize don't consider it an automatic dismissal of that particular model. It might just take a little longer to get used to the boat, but considering how long it might last, and that you have other boats to paddle, try to put the learning curve into perspective. Something else you might consider doing is take an intermediate level class that covers edging and bracing. It's hard to evaluate the secondary stability of a kayak and fully appreciate some of the models you might try unless you're comfortable edging the boat aggressively. >I am not going to feel the subtle differences between boats like many of you >do. I think that that comes with experience with the individual boats. >Now, I see why many of you keep buying and selling kayaks. Before trying >the Viking, my only concern is that it is not a familiar brand, so I may >have trouble selling it. While Kajak Sport is a relatively new vendor (though their hatch covers have been around for awhile) they seem to be getting a good reputation fairly quickly. I don't think you'd have trouble selling a Viking in a few years (assuming you'd even want to). *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Many of you are recommending folding kayaks to me. They are wonderful, but I'm not going to buy one this time. The main trouble with them is that their owners will not get out of them and LET ME PADDLE. They like their boats too much. One friend has 2 folding kayaks, one for company. I think that 'company' means me. So she took them to the Outer Hebrides and made me come over to paddle. Too cold. No wetsuit. I insisted on going out with an outfitter for the first trip. Here are the photos. (Some of you have seen them.) http://marinell.server101.com/kayak/hebrides.htm Later, I will post photos of me in that yak to prove that I tried it. I have to go out and paddle, now. No more computer today. Marinell *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Way to go, Marinell...that was way tooo funny. I dare you to send that photo to the manager! (assuming he has a sense of humor!). "The Pink flamingo is also available with wings" I think you should definitely get this model. sandy kramer *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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