Re: [Paddlewise] guest boat suggestions?

At 01:28 PM 9/28/2002 -0700, Melissa Reese wrote:
>On Saturday, September 28, 2002, at 12:57:40 PM PST, Vaughan wrote:
>
>> Performance is not a priority. Stability is a priority. 12 foot
>> length is fine. I'm looking for plastic, sit in, not SOT. No rudder.
>
>Hi Bob,
>
>I'm thinking that either a Necky Looksha Sport (14'), or Necky "Santa
>Cruze" (12') might be about right.
>
>I've not paddled a Santa Cruze, but I have paddled a Sport.  It was
>the first kayak I ever sat in, and it was fun and very stable.  The
>Santa Cruze is the length you mentioned, and I'm sure it's terribly
>stable as well.
>
>The Sport that I paddled did have a rudder, but I'm sure you could get
>it without the rudder if you want.
>
>I can think of a reason or two why you may want to consider a Looksha
>Sport instead of a Santa Cruze...rock gardens and sea caves! 

You've never been to Oakland, Ca. , have you?  Rock gardens and sea caves?

>A
>plastic Looksha Sport could be just about perfect for that type of
>paddling...so you could use it even when you don't have guests!

A Looksha Sport would likely be a good choice.  There are a lot of other
similar boats that would be fine as well such as a Prijon Calabria,  Dagger
Calisto or Charleston,   Walden Passage,  and probably many others.

Since a 12' boat was considered I'm wondering what Bob paddles.  Putting
someone in 12' plastic boat if you're paddling a 17-18' composite boat will
mean you're going to do a lot of waiting.  Just another data point:  A
friend of mine runs a rental fleet and most of his rental boats are "real"
touring kayaks (16' and longer).  Most of his clients have never been in a
kayak before and I think he's only had 3-4 people capsize all season.  Most
first timers can get feel for the stability in a very short time.   A fat
12' boat might be real stable but, in my experience, most people don't have
problems with the stability in a longer, narrower boat either.  

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************