Mack here, Thanks guys--Tony, Bill, Patrick, Rick, Ralph Hoehn, David, Ralph Mawyer, Peter, and Alex. Got some interesting info and opinions...appreciate it. I've been researching foldables for a month now; been to Folding Kayaks site, Michael Edelman's, where he lists and describes foldables. Been to pretty much all the different sites. Emailed Ralph Diaz, but haven't heard back yet (he must be gone for awhile...one of you mentioned that). I've read somewhere that he critiqued Puffins, but before '02, when Alv Elvestad redesigned them. Think I'll get Diaz's 2003 book. I'm also going to call Alv on Monday...I did yesterday, but his wife Laura said he was at a boat show in MA (oh yeah, so did Ralph H.) I've used hardshell kayaks some, studied the websites, tried out several different brands. Two years ago I almost bought a Mariner Max after talking with Matt Broze in his Seattle shop (because I'm 6'4", and was highly impressed with Mariners from their website). But the prob for me with hardshells is transporting and portaging with one leg, one hand on crutches. I don't want a sit-on-top or a twisty inflatable, but then I don't want a wood-framed or Hypalon hulled foldable. I also don't want a foldable that assembles with "expansion clips", an obvious glitch in assembly since some sites offer an alternate method to the original to install them...a prosthetic hook doesn't grip for beans. Assembly and size of cockpit are my main focuses, that is, after finding a reasonably decent performing light-touring or "recreational" foldable--that classification's a little curious, huh?...what are WW, touring, SK and surfers doing...working? }:) Well, no doubt working much harder than us flatwaterers. Glad to learn about Lyle Hancock's place in Seattle (thanks Peter and David)...I'll go there soon to checkout Atlatls. So, thanks again, all...and thanks for informing me about the Yahoo bagboater group...I just joined, and think I'll just post this message on it, as soon as I'm accepted. For that reason, I include this question: What do you think about the new Puffins, folks? Compared to Atlatl?That is, for ease of assembly for someone like me? What about performance? Thanks, Mack *************************************************************************** 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 9/12/2003 9:07:35 AM Eastern Standard Time, al.m_at_3web.net writes: > ... There is also Mike Edelman's website (can't get the address from this > brouser now), ... +++ <A HREF="http://www.foldingkayaks.org/">http://www.foldingkayaks.org/</A> Best regards, Ralph Ralph C. Hoehn Folding Boat Center P.O. Box 700 Enfield NH 03748 info_at_FoldingBoatCenter.com www.FoldingBoatCenter.com phone: +1-802-649-2555 -- Ralph phone: +1-603-632-9500 -- Alv (yup, they rhyme) *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
mack, do go to the backboater group as well, there has been recent discussion comparing the puffin/aleut/yukon. i was out in my puffin sport kayak this weekend - it's 10.5' - got it before it "growed" to be a 12-footer (unfortunately). i think it would help if you would tell us what you want out of a kayak. do you just want something to putz around in...on flat water? the comment that the puffin is like a canoe, is valid....but that's not necessarily a bad thing. i have hip arthiritis and it is very easy for me to get in and out of this boat. with your handicaps, i think that's an important consideration, so do pay attention to cockpit size as you look around. since i had my two doggies with me I didn't put the deck cover on...but it does "feel" more like a "real" kayak when the deck is in place. but frankly, my dear..... :) Alv is having is annual demo day some time next may in new hampshire..... but it is possible to find demo boats at a discount price. check out the www.pakboats.com website. Bagboater_at_yahoogroups.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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