I have been paddling for about 4 years and have taken a number of classes from Eskimo rolls, surf entries, strokes, braces etc.. have done some coastal day trips as well as a self guided 8 day tour Misty Fiords, Alaska. To this point I have spent most of my time in my Solstice GTS. I have no illusion of becoming a better kayaker by buying another boat, but I am seeking a more responsive boat. I practice boat control w/o use of the rudder. About the only time my rudder hits water is when rain or a wave hits it. I have considered the following possible boats, only one of which I have found the opportunity to paddle; the KS Millenium, the Romany Explorer, the Andromeda, and the Nordkapp. Although most of my paddling is day trips, I am happiest when I am able to take off for extended tours where most anything may happen. Any advice would be most appreciated, especially in light of the fact that other than the KS Millennium (which I found quite responsive) I can't find a source for these boats to try out in So. Calif. Much thanks! Lew *************************************************************************** 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 this > point I have spent most of my time in my Solstice GTS ......but I am seeking a more > responsive boat. I practice boat control w/o use of the rudder. About the > only time my rudder hits water is when rain or a wave hits it. I have a GTS as well. My other boat is a Mariner Express. If you want to paddle without a rudder, and need volume for trips, you would have a hard time beating a Mariner II which is approximately the same size as the GTS. Mariners respond to leans very precisely and are easy to manage in rough water. No twitchiness, little windage easily tuned out with the sliding seat, no other unpleasantness. But the GTS is a great boat with a superb rudder. It tracks beautifully (but hard to turn) and can be easily paddled without the rudder. But I nearly always use the rudder. Why not? I took a lesson in tide rips off Vancouver Island once and practiced all directions with respect to the rip, with and without the rudder. It makes things easier and saves energy in real conditions. When I want to paddle without the rudder I choose my Mariner Express. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Lew writes: >>Any advice would be most appreciated, especially in light of the fact that other than the KS Millennium (which I found quite responsive) I can't find a source for these boats to try out in So. Calif. Much thanks! Lew<< Move to Oregon! Nordkapp and Andromeda are fairly tippy compared with the others, especially the GTS. The Milly and Explorer are similar. The Milly the more manouverable, the Explorer a better tracker. I'd want to paddle 'em before a purchase. Fly up and take a test drive! Steve *************************************************************************** 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 this point I have spent most of my time in my Solstice GTS . ....but >>I am responsive boat. All nice boats. As a long-time GTS paddler I can tell you that if you haven't paddled any of your considerations before, they have quite a different "feel" from the GTS. One thing to keep in mind is that they also all carry quite a bit less gear than the GST as well. Though the GTS is actually not that great gear-wise as it has that long narrow bow that is good for fuel bottles, tent stakes and sometimes a Thermarest. For day trips I have paddled both a Romany and a Nordkapp and they are fun boats (though as many here will point out, there are about a billion variations on the Nordkapp hull). I think a great combination if you can afford it is a larger capacity boat (Aquila, CD Extreme, Necky Arluk III) for those longer trips, and a fun little day boat (Romany, Greenlander, Gulfstream). Oh, and don't forget a boat for surfing, a plastic one for trashing, one to loan to a friend and maybe a few others "just in case". -Patrick *************************************************************************** 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 use my Romany 16 for week-long trips. Even in the winter when I have to carry a lot of bulky clothing for sub-freezing temperatures. I'm surprised to see it called a "day boat". Am I missing something? Jim Tibensky *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
The Rom 16 is what I call a small/mid sized sea boat. If you are a small to mid sized paddler it'll hold a mid sized load. Now a week's worth, including sub-zero clothes would be stretching it for me _at_ 180lbs. Jim how big are ye? steve 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/ ***************************************************************************
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