RE: [Paddlewise] Opinions of CD Gulfstream

> -----Original Message-----
>On Behalf Of Andy Mulina
> 
> Hello from a newbie to the list and to paddling.  I will be 
> buying a composite kayak soon and our local vendor has a 
> limited selection.  They do have a Gulfstream and it seems to 
> meet most of my criteria.  I'll be trying it out this week 
> (with a little cooperation from the retailer) and would 
> appreciate the input of people who have paddled it.  What 
> should I be aware of or look for.  Thanks for your help.Andie,

Andy,

Be prepared for a fantastic amount of fun. I have been paddling a GS for
a little over two years and it is my absolute favorite boat. There are
faster boats out there, but the GS will keep up with a normal cruising
speed of about 4 knots without much effort. However, I can get it up to
5 knots only with a great deal of effort and for short periods of time.
It just doesn't have the length to do that kind of speed.

If you are a new paddler, this boat is something that you will grow
into. At first it will be difficult to turn because it tracks extremely
well. As you become more proficient, you will find that the boat turns
on a dime when leaned or edged. It will handle everything from the
flattest water to the kind of rough stuff that Doug Lloyd likes to play
in ( I fall somewhere in between those two extremes).

After owning this boat, I would never own a boat without a skeg and a
day hatch.

The only disadvantages are that the skeg does take up some storage space
in the rear hatch, but you can put enough gear to camp for about a week
if you are careful. The boat is also a bit of a wet ride. The sharp
pointed bow knifes through waves rather than going up and over them -
but that also eliminates a lot of the slapping that some other boats do.
Finally, the boat seems to be the perfect length for wanting to broach
in the surf we get in Southern CA. Therefore, you should learn how to
side surf the boat on both a low and a high brace--almost all of my surf
landings are done sideways.

My final statement about the GS is that if I was buying another boat and
money was no object--I would still buy another GS.

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