Re: [Paddlewise] Tupperware Gulfstream

Steve,

I haven't paddled the Sirocco, but I do own a GS and absolutely love it. I
am a big (read overweight) guy and go about 225 pounds. I find the boat
tracks extremely well but is very maneuverable when put on edge. The
secondary stability is also very good. The skeg is great. When the wind is
strong enough to get the boat to weathercock, sliding the skeg down
completely stops it. It is very easy to determine how far the skeg needs to
be deployed--you can easily feel the weathercocking stop and if you use too
much skeg, the boat will actually lee cock a little. It sure is a lot less
tiring than paddling with a continuous knee hang.

In my opinion, there are two negaives that you should be aware of. At only
16'10" long, the boat is not the fastest. Many of my paddling friends paddle
CD Extremes and it is work to try and keep up with them when they decide to
pour it on. The other negative is that the boat likes to broach during surf
landings and large following seas. The skeg helps with the following seas
but you still need to be prepared to do a lot of rear ruddering stokes.
During surf landings, the best approach is to not fight the broach and just
lean the boat into the wave and side surf it in.

Last weekend, two of my friends decided to try my boat.The first one paddles
a Perception Kevlar Eclipse and is a very good paddler. He felt the boat was
tippy and difficult to steer. He did not edge the boat because he was tired
and didn't realize how solid the secondary stability is. The other friend
usually paddles a homemade wooden CL kit that he built and is also a very
good paddler. He too thought the boat was tippy, but he found it to be very
maneuvarable when edged. On the other hand, I have never thought this boat
tippy--but it is easy to edge.

The day hatch is a fantastic option on the boat. Since I don't usually do
multi-day trips, the fact that my rear storage area is cut into 2 sections
is not a concern. Th convenience of the day hatch far out weighs that. It is
nice to be able to keep a dry jacket close at hand and not have to remove my
spray skirt to get at it. I also met a woman, who fills her day hatch with
ice and turns it into an ice cooler for drinks. I don't think I could ever
paddle a boat without the day hatch -- I've been spoiled, and my wife now
has a very valid excuse to ask me to carry her jacket, extra snacks, and
extra water. She claims that I can get to it a lot easier than she can in
her Perception Shadow. ;-)

My personal feelings about the GS, are that if I could buy any boat I wanted
and that money was of no concern---I would still get the GS.

Another thought to consider, is that you can probably find a used GS in good
condition for about the same price as a new Sirocco--that's what I did.

Steve Holtzman


Steve Davis said:

I've
heard good things about the Gulfstream and the plastic version is about half
the price.... any comments, advise? Besides the plastic vs. laminate
arguments.

Thanks yet again.

Steve



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