At 02:29 PM 5/23/02 -0400, Michael Daly wrote: >From: "Mr Tex" <aka_tex_at_hotmail.com> > > > 1a. Mariner Express - like this boat a lot, but seem to remember feeling > > "loose" in the cockpit. need to sit in one again. > >Don't forget that "loose" can be fixed with some outfitting. A little padding >in the right spot can match a paddler to a good kayak. That's true to a point. A kayak with a keyhole cockpit which has molded in fiberglass "knee hooks" can be troublesome. I've found that some of them are just cut too wide for my legs. Sitting in it felt like my legs were being pulled apart. The boat was really designed for someone with wider hips. > > Boreal Ellesmere - too unstable, especially when at rest (V hull wanted to > > cock to one side constantly), poor back support That seems to be the nature of a hard chined boat. My Northbay, the Arctic Hawk I've frequently paddled, and other hard chined boats (somehow I don't notice it much in an Anas Acuta) have an initial stability that can best be described as "twitchy". All I can say is that you get used to it. >I own one and love it, so allow me to stick up for it. This kayak has lots >of stability - secondary. It has little initial stability, though. It >doesn't have much of a V, but rather a fairly rounded hull. That's what I thought. Boreal Designs describes the design as having hard chines and a shallow arch. It's not a "V" hull. You won't see a noticable keel line under the cockpit. The hull shape is actually similar to the Foster Rowe boats. In this case, I wouldn't describe the initial stability on the Ellsemere as "twitchy". It's more "slippery" or "greasy". In any case, when I demo'd one I didn't find it particularly uncomfortable. It's certainly a lot more stable than a Slipstream or Foster Rowe Rumour. >The secondary is solid without being excessive - to me, they got it just >right! >The more I paddle it and test other kayaks, the more I like it. The back >support >is a personal taste thing to me - I like it, low and comfy. The seat is >the most >comfortable I've ever used. YMMV A few people of lauded the seat on the Ellsemere. I suppose that it would be very comfortable if you have the right size hips and butt for it. It's cut very aggressively with a raised portion in the middle. Someone with very wide or narrow hips might find it uncomfortable. *************************************************************************** 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 Fri May 24 2002 - 06:51:54 PDT
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