Re: [Paddlewise] Necky Elaho

On Mon, Sep 23, 2002 at 03:13:30PM -0400, Roger Lumb wrote:

> I am looking at a used Necky Elaho with skeg and am wondering how
> this boat might perform on the Maine coast.  Has anyone had
> experience with this boat?  The new boats offer a rudder option and
> I am wondering why.

Tom Bergh's Maine Island Kayak Company (MIKCO) has the reputation of being
one of the better instructional facilities in the country.  MIKCO is also
a Necky National Demo Center.  In any email exchanges I've had with MIKCO,
I've found them quite helpful, even when the matter didn't directly relate
to a course or retail sale.  You could do worse than contact them at
<info_at_maineislandkayak.com> and ask your query in the form os an "As a
Necky National Demo Center, how to do feel about the following: ..... ?"
question.  If one of the instructors, and there are a good number, field
the question, you may get a a very cogent explanation of the pros and cons
of the Elaho for use along the Maine Coast.  Visiting their site at
http://www.maineislandkayak.com, snooping around a bit until you find the
staff info, will yield a list of the boats owned / paddled by the various
members of the MIKCO staff.  See if the Elaho comes up at all.  I know
Necky boats do show up often on the list.  What does and doesn't will give
you an idea of what works in and around the Maine islands (but remember,
they're also paddling Valley and NDK boats too, so they may get the nod in
particular areas, even if the Necky would work well too).

Just a thought.

-.- jwd

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