It's been a few months since I bought a Umiak by Perception for my 12 year old (very petite), and I was asked to let folks know how she liked it, so here's the skinny. She LOVES it. It's the only boat she's really spent any time in, so it's hard for her to compare it to others, but she handles it well. She doesn't use proper kayaking techniques and strokes... she just gets in and goes (and refuses instruction, because I'm apparently old and dumb). But even at that, she has no problem getting and holding a 3.5 nm pace. I say "holding", but she stops after a few minutes to watch a turtle, scoop bugs off of the surface, or whatever - but she isn't stopping due to boat performance or over excretion. She also can turn the thing on a dime, even without doing a true lean or using proper turning strokes. I'm not sure about weather cocking. She's pretty much a flat water paddler so far (mom doesn't want her in windy or choppy conditions) so it's all been very protected and calm water. She also hasn't dumped it, so I'm not sure how it is with re-entries. But, she has no fear whatsoever. In fact, I almost wish she would develop at least a little fear - just enough to respect the boat and the water. She has so little fear, that it makes "me" nervous when she gets out in it. Anyway, at her skill level, I can't comment on how the boat performs under capable hands, but I can say that for a petite sized beginner, it's certainly a boat that will perform well as a first boat and hold the paddlers interest as their skills progress. So, for what it's worth, that's the update. I hope there is something useful in it that will help someone. Rick *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Aug 27 2003 - 07:47:51 PDT
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