Below is a message I tried to post on 9/12, but as far as I can tell it didn't make it. So I'm trying again, but with just two more bits of info that's occured since then: 1) I joined the bagboater group and have read a lot of the posts, including the ones about "Puffin vs. Aleut & Yukon, etc., though I didn't post myself (didn't need to), and 2) I called Lyle Hancock yesterday in Seattle and talked about his boats...I'm going to visit and test out an Uno tomorrow...the sot's (at least the Uno and Java) seem more acceptable to me than before. 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/ ***************************************************************************
Messages normally don't disappear there, but in a moderated mail-list some delay is natural. I would think twice before buying SOT. WA is not a south CA or HI. You gonna get wet below the belt due to dripping from paddles and occasional splashes, water there isn't too warm as well as air temperatures. Yes, cockpit size is important - and one of the boats that have large cockpit and is easy to assemble is Folbot Aleut - though it could be too short for you. Pehaps Yukon or Kodiak are better. Since factory sells them direct, dealers don't usually have them, but you may try to find some used for sale and see how much efforts does it take to assemble it (should not be much). Canoe-like kayaks similar to Puffins need correction strokes because of poor tracking and this can be annoying depending on paddler and area. I don't know about Atlatl, but Ralph Diaz is right in his book - exotic brands are dangerous because you might encounter service and parts problem, having unsteady supply and few dealers. Just my IMHO. Alex. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roy Brand" <mackbrand72_at_elltel.net> To: <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: September 14, 2003 7:25 PM Subject: [Paddlewise] Thanks > Below is a message I tried to post on 9/12, but as far as I can tell it > didn't make it. So I'm trying again, but with just two more bits of info > that's occured since then: > 1) I joined the bagboater group and have read a lot of the posts, including > the ones about "Puffin vs. Aleut & Yukon, etc., though I didn't post myself > (didn't need to), and > 2) I called Lyle Hancock yesterday in Seattle and talked about his > boats...I'm going to visit and test out an Uno tomorrow...the sot's (at > least the Uno and Java) seem more acceptable to me than before. *************************************************************************** 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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