[Paddlewise] small persons kayaks

How small are you Marcia?
Seda's new Starlet (14-10) is a narrowed Gypsy (15-2) and I think it would
be better for a small paddler unless you are looking for maximum stability
for some reason. This is advice from someone who has sold more than 1/2 of
all the Gypsies ever made (and thinks it is a very good kayak at a great
price). I talked Seda's owner Joe Sedevic, into making a kayak 2" narrower
as I felt the Gypsy was just too stable for real small women paddlers (with
their lower, more stable, centers of gravity). The new Starlet is that
kayak. I've paddled it several times now and have been impressed by how fast
it was for its length (among other things).

Other kayaks I'd try out if you get the chance:

Nimbus Solander (16-2) and Cygnet (14-9) models
Mariner Elan (16-1.5) and Coaster (13-5) models (of course)
Necky Tornak  (15-6)
PWS Wigeon (14-3) and Avocet LP (16-0.5) models
Wilderness Systems Tchaika (13-11), Alto (15-9) and Shaman Pro (12-8.5)
models
Dagger Meridian SK-S (16-0)
Formula Kayaks (Impex) Mystic (14-0)
QCC 400 (15-2)

Not necessarily in that order. Some of the above models I like a lot better
than others. However, I've paddled these and thought they would be suitable
kayaks for smaller paddlers. If a kayak is not mentioned here it is either
because I haven't tried them, thought they were too big for small paddlers,
or too hard to turn for a small paddler, or too squirrelly for anybody but a
river kayaker, or I seriously didn't like them for some other reason when I
tried them out. Some of the above may be discontinued models that you might
find only as used kayaks.


Matt Broze
www.marinerkayaks.com

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