Re: [Paddlewise] Rec Boats

Mark Sanders wrote: (about his OldTown Loon 160)

>>> Like most kayaks, I still think your safety is more a function of your ability than your boat.<<<

Mark, I hope you're talking about your ability to predict sea conditions
and to know your limits. In the Loon series, only your ability to paddle
forward is applicable. Bracing, rolling and rescuing are out of the
question.

I've paddled a Loon 120 for a couple of years, also in rough conditions:
Paddled some big lakes, sea and surf in it. They feel real stable and
solid even on quite rough seas. No problem so far. Problems arise when
the sea gets just a little bit rougher, and then they can build up fast:

- Too stable to brace: When the boats wants to capsise, there is no way
to prevent it;
- Impossible to roll: Too stable, seat is too wide, no thigh braces;
- No way to really secure a sprayskirt: It will pop when a small wave
dumps on it;
- When surfing without a sprayskirt, the wave you're surfing can easily
get over the rim of the cockpit and fill the boat within seconds;
- Difficult to rescue, due to high volume and no bulkheads;
- Self rescue possible, but bailing takes forever;
- No solid way to secure floatation bags. I will not go into the physics
of the forces on those bags, but believe me: You wouldn't believe me.

In other words: What would be a minor problem in a seakayak (popped
skirt, capsize) will spell disaster in a rec boat, unless you stay close
to shore.

Stay safe,

Niels.
***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************