Chris wrote about how much he liked his Pongo. This kayak is also getting popular in my area. I have always considered it a "Recreational" kayak and therefore not really suitable for open water paddling even on our bay. However my assumption is only based on the large cockpit size and the fact that I have seen it listed in the "Recreational Kayak" section on some websites. I have paddled one for a few minutes in calm water, but have never taken one out in rougher conditions. Does anyone (including Chris) have any experience with Pongo in rougher water. Does it take on large quantities of water without the spay-skirt? How does the available skirt hold on in breaking waves? Does the high stability make the kayak rock quite a bit when waves are coming broadside? (My experience suggests that high initial stability kayaks which rock quite a bit are often capsized by the paddler's overreaction even though the kayaks secondary stability would have kept the kayak upright if the paddler did not "help" keep the kayak level). Can they be reentered like a sit-on-top or do they require some sort of paddlefloat/outrigger setup? I do not want to unnecessarily discourage people from paddling where they want to go, but I am concerned that a kayak with very good flat-water stability and performance could lead paddlers to get themselves into dangerous situations. Of course the real problem may be more in the skill level of the kayaker rather than the design of the kayak. However, the net result in either case could be life threatening. Should I be more concerned about people doing open water paddling in a Pongo as compared to a typical touring kayak like a Current Designs Gulfstream or sit-on-top like a Cobra Expedition? Would a paddler with the skills to handle a Gulfstream in rough conditions be in more danger of capsize in those same conditions in a Pongo? What other, if any, recreational kayaks would pose difficulty for even intermediate level paddlers if taken out into rougher water? Kayaking is relatively new in our area, but is growing very fast especially for recreational kayaks and small sit-on-tops. I often meet new paddlers who have lots of questions about the sport. However I have very limited experience with rec kayaks and small sit-on-tops so I am concerned that I may be giving out the wrong information. I would appreciate any comments from other paddlewisers. Mark J. Arnold *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Mark, Bravo and well done. By having asked these questions, you have shown that you are well on your way to developing good seamanship. My bit of advice to you and Chris is to do two things: 1) take a class that includes discussion of the parts of a kayak (and their function) and basic rescues and 2) get into another Pungo or similar recreation kayak and try some rescues in SAFE water. I would tell you to do many other things too, but first hand information is your greatest information resource. This will also inspire you; when you give advice later, I promise that your words to the recipient will be full of passion. This scenario reminds me of a tongue-in-cheek running argument I have with a friend. She would say that a recreational kayak is a "bad" kayak, I would answer her that there are no bad kayaks, there are only kayaks that are misused. A rec kayak is a wonderful craft for exploring quiet places, provided that you don't take it where you can't walk away from it. Mike. Mike Hamilton, Biologist 1205 Leonardtown Service Bldg University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742 301-314-3486 *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I think I paddled a Pungo on an outing last year with my 6th grade students. I recall that it didn't have a front bulkhead. If not, I'd be concerned about floatation in the event of a capsize. I wouldn't take such a boat out offshore without plenty of floatation, well-secured in the bow. *************************************************************************** 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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