Re: [Paddlewise] guest boat suggestions?

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Fereira" <jaf30_at_cornell.edu>
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] guest boat suggestions?


snip
>
> 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.
>
Actually, I meant 12' as a minimum.

I sold a Wenonah Advantage and  Sundowner.  Gave away a Numbus Puffin and
sold an Ocean Kayak Scupper when the fleet had taken over the homestead.
OK, OK, now I wish I had kept them all.

Now I paddle a Seda Revenge.  Great for tanning your legs and getting at
lunch while afloat.  A bit too tender for first timers.  The round hull
feels tippy, even though they won't go over.  I like it for summer days when
I paddle to the foot of Broadway at Jack London Square, flop my feet over
the sides into the water, lean way back and eat lunch.  The tourists love
it.

Also a Futura Blade.  Gotta pay attention on that one and a bit wet for cool
weather.

My favorite is a Mariner Express.  My only complaint is a rear hatch that
takes too long to take off and put on (bomb-proof though it may be).  I had
thought 16 feet would be a bit short in a world where sea kayaks are over 17
feet long, but hull speed calculations notwithstanding, it keeps up just
fine.  I love that boat.  I call her Goldilocks.  Not too hard, not too
soft, just right.

I'm blessed to be able to paddle three times a week, summer or winter, day
or night.  Some co-workers were in a restaurant on the Oakland estuary and
saw me paddle by one evening.  Asked all sorts of questions at work the next
day.  My neighbors and neighbors' kids ask about my boat.  Since I consider
paddling the Gospel of outdoor recreation, I thought I'd look for a boat to
share the experience with the most folks possible.  I don't mind waiting for
them.  I had a zipper installed in one of my spray skirts (best thing I ever
thought of) so I can reach a thermos of hot coffee, a cold soda, snacks and
sandwiches etc. while goofing about on the water.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far.  I'm making a list and checking it
twice.

Bob

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