Re: [Paddlewise] The Old Man and the Sea

----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Lloyd" <dalloyd_at_telus.net>

> the sea. They are almost always "low-tech," well-adjusted, sea-savvy
> paddlers. They usually, from what I could quickly ascertain,
> seemed...well...connected with nature in a special way. I don't know how
> else to put it. I hate to admit it (because I love stiff kayaks so much)
but
> I think the Klepper paddler (Foldboat, Feathercraft, etc.) have a
sensation
> with the rhythm and undulations of the sea that I just don't get to
> experience. Now don't get going on an evangelical outpouring ralph, about
> better performance, 'cause I ain't buying into that; it's just that folks
in
> folders seem to enjoy an essential, elemental privilege that hard-shell
> users miss out on. At least, it seems that way to me.

Part of it, I think, has to do with the process of assembling the boat.
This creates a transition zone between land and the sea.  I feel quite
different about a day out on the water when I am using a folding kayak that
I am assembling on the spot as opposed to a folding one that I have left
assembled and pulled from a storage area or cartopped.  With the latter it
is just another boat; with the former it is something different. When you
put together, on the spot, what will take you out on to the briney you do
subconsciously start adjusting internally to what lies ahead.  You also get
closer to your boat since you handle every piece of it before you set out;
it's an organic experience.

Beyond that other things kick in like greater stability: while nothing is
unsinkable/untippable being able to relax more in rougher seas without
adrenalin pouring and engaging in lots of technique to handle rougher
conditions.  The old man and the sea whom you observed was basically out in
similar waters as you, maybe not in the worse kind of things that you do go
out in but certainly in exposed and not calm conditions.

What I like about an older Klepper like the one you saw is that, when
underway, you can hear it creaking as the skin and frame absorb the forces
of waves and chop.  When I first heard the sound, I could not help but think
of an old wooden seafaring ship. You sometimes can hear and feel the water
as it passes underneath you and the skin moves with its passage . . . I
could go on and on, Doug, but you seem to have something against my
evangelical religiousity.  :-)

ralph diaz

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