I've been kayaking for about three years on and off and am interested in purchasing my first boat. I've had my eyes on Dennis Nigels Romany but after trying it, I found that I like the Valley Pintail and Avocent much better. Luckily, I have the US dealer close by. My question is, am I setting my heights too high being a begining kayaker? Should I go for a different boat? I plan to use it on Lake Michigan, local inland lakes, and other great lakes. Any advise, suggestions, or where I could find a used on would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I have an old friend who always says "Never be hindered by your equipment" I'll tell you, significant others do not typically think this logic is sound! K *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On Fri, 06 Jun 2003 10:51:12 -0400, Murphykat12_at_aol.com said: > I've been kayaking for about three years on and off and am interested in > purchasing my first boat. I've had my eyes on Dennis Nigels Romany but > after trying it, I found that I like the Valley Pintail and Avocent much > better. Luckily, I have the US dealer close by. My question is, am I > setting my heights too high being a begining kayaker? Should I go for a > different boat? I plan to use it on Lake Michigan, local inland lakes, > and other great lakes. I've got a PinTail that I regularly loan out to beginners without any qualms. I think it makes a very nice "beginner" boat. It's not the straightest tracking boat, but that's the perfect time to learn corrective strokes. It goes where you tell it, you just need to tell it to go straight, and it will. For what very little it's worth, the pintail was my first sea kayak and I've never regretted owning it. Kirk -- Kirk Olsen kork4_at_cluemail.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 10:23 AM 6/6/2003 -0700, Melissa Reese wrote: >On Friday, June 06, 2003, at 7:51:12 AM PDT, Murphykat12_at_aol.com wrote: > > > My question is, am I setting my heights too high being a begining > > kayaker? > >I don't think so. Except for in the case of small children, I'm not a >believer in "beginner's boats". I feel that an adult "beginner" would >benefit more from a boat that can be grown into rather than one which >will be outgrown in a few months. I agree with Melissa here (as I often do). However, for many there are a lot of so called "beginners" boats that people can outgrow in a few days. I help out at a rental shop quite often and watch first time paddlers go out in sea kayaks that a lot of people might think are too advanced. They might be a bit wobbly at first and have a difficult time controlling where they want it to go. More often than not, four hours later they come back looking very comfortable (with a big grin on their face) and paddle up to the dock to disembark with little trouble. >Used boats are certainly a great idea, so that you can invest a bit >less in boats until you find your more specific preferences. > >If there are outfitters/boat rental places nearby, they sometimes sell >their used boats in preparation for buying new ones for their fleet. >They might also have bulletin boards for people selling their used >boats. You can also check for used boats on the web, in places like: > >http://www.paddling.net/ (that site has searchable classified ads) Again, good advice. Also watch for demo days where you can try out a variety of boats. The more boats you try the better idea you'll have as to what is the best boat for you. If you come across a used boat that sounds like a good deal you can always come back here and ask about a specific model. I doubt that you could find a boat (unless it's a 19' Sea Lion) that someone here hasn't paddled. >I feel really lucky...in both my first boat choice (CD Caribou) and >the way my subsequent preferences have developed. I still enjoy >paddling the Caribou (after six years). Like Melissa and Kirk my first boat choice was also a "real" sea kayak somewhat similar to the boats you're looking at (a VCP Skerray). I've also had it for six years and everytime I consider selling it I get in and paddle it and am reminded of how fun it is and change my mind. I've recently decided to try to sell it again and found someone that is interested it that is in exactly the same place where I was when I bought the boat (had just taken a course and was looking for a good boat to improve his skills). I feel good about selling it to someone like that. >My fiberglass Caribou will >probably be the most expensive boat I'll ever own, because I've >discovered the joys of building my own (trying to find the time to >finish a S&G Arctic Hawk, When *are* you going to finish that Hawk, Mellssa? BTW, I just picked up Chris Cunnginghams "Building a Greenland Kayak" and that will likely be my next project as well. I'm thinking of building a kid size boat for my nieces. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On Friday, June 06, 2003, at 7:51:12 AM PDT, Murphykat12_at_aol.com wrote: > My question is, am I setting my heights too high being a begining > kayaker? I have only been paddling sense October of last year and I'm really glad I bought an "advanced" boat (Wilderness Systems Tempest) to grow into. I was originally thinking of getting a rec boat and am so glad I didn't it would have limited my advancement in the sport. I learned to roll as soon as I could and found it greatly accelerated my ability to gain additional skills. I've sense taken a white water course and have proven my roll in "combat" and further accelerated my skill learning. I have found it interesting to learn a sea kayaker with a roll isn't all that common (at least in the circles I'm paddling in). However it makes learning bracing so much easier. You can practice edging your boat and not have a 10 minute ordeal if you go to far. It actually becomes fun to see just how far you can go over and still recover. It is a great way to cool off and I get the biggest thrill out of rolling. :) I would recommend going with an "advanced" boat you can grow into. AJ Mallory Portland, OR *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 10:51 AM 6/6/2003 -0400, Murphykat12_at_aol.com wrote: >I've been kayaking for about three years on and off and am interested in >purchasing my first boat. I've had my eyes on Dennis Nigels Romany but >after trying it, I found that I like the Valley Pintail and Avocent much >better. Luckily, I have the US dealer close by. My question is, am I >setting my heights too high being a begining kayaker? Should I go for >a different boat? I plan to use it on Lake Michigan, local inland lakes, >and other great lakes. Any advise, suggestions, or where I could find a >used on would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! If the Explorer, Pintail or Avocet are within your price range and you felt comfortable paddling them, then by all means, go for it. They're all excellent boats. I can't think of a single reason why they wouldn't be appropriate for a beginner. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>...I found that I like the Valley Pintail and Avocent much better. >Luckily, I have the US dealer close by. My question is, am I >setting my heights too high being a begining kayaker? I bought my first kayak last spring --- a nice stable boat; sold as ideal for a beginner. I soon grew to dislike its limitations: difficult to put up on edge, slower to turn, etc. This spring I purchased a 10 year old Pintail (ocean cockpit) and couldn't be happier. I actually paid more for the new rotomolded boat than I paid for the used Pintail. >where I could find a used on would be greatly appreciated. Someone already mentioned the paddling.net web site, here are a few more: <http://tinyurl.com/dnno> --- a newer pintail that didn't sell recently on ebay <http://www.onwatersports.com/w/KayaksForSale.html> --- listing of used kayaks <http://www.sdkc.org/ads/> --- listing of used kayak in the San Diego area <http://www.ccpac.org/classifieds/> --- yet another listing of used kayaks <http://www.nspn.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=list& forum=DCForumID4&conf=DCConfID1> --- NE area used kayaks The biggest issue with a used boat is how to get it from where it is to where you are. I was told by several people that composite boats really aren't shippable via common carrier unless crated. I got lucky and just had to make an 8 hour round trip to meet the seller. Brian *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 6/6/2003 9:51:12 AM Eastern Standard Time, Murphykat12 writes: > I've had my eyes on Dennis Nigels Romany but after trying it, I found that I like the Valley Pintail and Avocent much better. Luckily, I have the US dealer close by. My question is, am I setting my heights too high being a begining kayaker? No, like everyone else, I guess, I'd highly recommend a Pintail or a boat of that ilk, even as a new paddler. I say this with some confidence because it's exactly what I did, and it worked for me. Started with a vintage Sea Lion --- a nice boat in its own right --- but moved to a Pintail shortly thereafter, and that VCP rock garden boat has been my kayak of choice for about 12 years. Wonderful balance of touring boat and fun boat. No racer, but more maneuverable than anything in its category, and an easy enough boat to start out on. You'll learn a lot from it. You mention being close to the source --- assume you mean Great River Outfitters in Michigan. If so, you also have one of the country's greatest kayaking events at Grand Marais every summer, with world-class instructors and clinicians. Have made the trip from Maryland, and it was worth it. Certainly all the more so if you're anything like "local". (You'll also see a lot of Pintails --- the Chladek influence locally, no doubt.) Twelve years later, still love that Pintail! Jack Martin *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>I've had my eyes on Dennis Nigels Romany but after trying it, I found that I like the Valley Pintail and Avocet much better. > am I setting my heights too high being a begining kayaker? These are "advanced" kayaks that are also incredibly "beginner friendly". "Beginner" and "Advanced" kayaks are really misleading monikers that serve to cut down on the amount of meaningful discussion needed to describe these boats to one another. People's physiologies can play a bigger role in how the boat feels than the various boats' designs. Bottom line: If you're already comfortable in these boats, why go to a boat you will more quickly outgrow? Also do consider the WS Tempest. I didn't realize AJ has only been paddling for 8 months, but I had the opportunity to paddle with him this weekend, and he doesn't paddle like he's at all new to the sport. No doubt his attitude and willingness to get wet play a large part; having a boat that didn't "hold him back" didn't hurt much, either. Go for it--you won't regret it! Shawn __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). http://calendar.yahoo.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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