Re: [Paddlewise] It's criminal

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Lenze,

I agree with what you are saying about rec (or is that wreck) boats. But the
manufacturer of two of the boats today, says this about one of his models.
 
If you want to go fast in the ocean with confidence this is the boat for
you. 
This boat is a joy to paddle. 
 
The models that were at our practice session, are advertised as good for
paddling around the marina or for a coastal paddle. 
 
This particular manufacturer produces kayaks and paddles that he sells
direct to the paddler. There is no outfitter involved. He also sold one of
the paddlers, an extremely tight neoprene skirt. While trying to do a wet
exit, the paddler couldn't even remove it. I wound up demonstrating how to
do a "Hand of God" rescue to keep the paddler from drowning. Again, a
beginning paddler, should probably use a looser skirt until they get some
basic skills.
 
One of the other boats was a popular plastic boat that is used by many
people here for playing in rock gardens. That one had no front bulkhead or
floatation. Beginning kayakers don't know they need float bags and if the
outfitter doesn't tell them, they're not bought. If it was included as part
of the boat, everybody would be better off.
 
Just my 2 cents,
 
Steve
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