Another option I would suggest is to look around for a good deal on the used kayak market. Why him and haw and agonize over finding the perfect kayak. My reasoning here is that no matter what kayak you get, a year from now you will probably be drooling over another one (or more). It's the nature of the beast, why fight it? After you've paddled for a while you will have a better idea of what you want. If you're like a lot of kayakers you might end up with a flotilla. My point is that it's not that important what model you get at this point. Just get out and enjoy yourself on the water. Check the web sites of local paddling clubs. There has got to be a lot of used sea kayaks for sale in a place like the Pacific Northwest. BTW, the Coaster has a real cult following here in the San Francisco Bay Area (perhaps due to the strong endorsement of local paddler, instructor, author, Tsunami Ranger and general all-around good guy John Lull (ok. the fact that it has good handling characteristics might also have something to do with it). Just this paddlers two cents, Robert Warren *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> Why him and haw and agonize over finding the perfect kayak. My > reasoning here is that no matter what kayak you get, a year from now you > will > probably be drooling over another one (or more). It's the nature of the > beast, > why fight it? There is a lot of truth to what you say here. On the other hand, there is a saying amongst competitive shooters, "beware of the man with one gun." The idea is that while a number of shooters will use a separate weapon that has been specialized for each event, the shooter who uses a single weapon to compete in each event, although he may not have the optimum tool, probably knows that gun really well, and is a man to look out for. The "perfect boat" is actually a marriage between boat and paddler. There are at least a few of us who try to find the best boat available, and then stick with it. We adapt our paddling style to the handling characteristics of that boat, and make whatever modifications we deem necessary to make that boat what we need. Ten, or even fifteen years later, we are still happily paddling the old relic, and wouldn't dream of trading it in. So I wouldn't totally discount those who are searching for the perfect boat. Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** 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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