RE: [Paddlewise] It's criminal

RICHARD CULPEPER said: 
> 
> Knowledge and experience is what keeps us safe, including the 
> knowledge and experience to know what sort of design and 
> outfitting is appropriate for particular uses.  Let's 
> encourage manufacturers, retailers, and new paddlers to learn 
> about product safety and safe paddling practices.

Richard,

I couldn't agree with you more about your entire post. The boats in question
were billed as "sea kayaks."

My big gripe, is that the manufacturer of two of the boats without deck
lines, prides himself on how much individual talking he does with each
kayaker before selling them his wares (it is a small manufacturer who makes
a solidly built boat).

I don't think we should be legislating anything here, but I do think the
manufacturer should on his own add deck lines and toggles to a boat sold as
a sea kayak to beginning paddlers. There are no dealers involved with this
company.

The boat without a front bulkhead is a RM "sporty type" sea kayak from a
major kayak manufacturer about 15 1/2 feet long that is popular with many of
the rock gardeners here. It would be real easy for either the manufacturer
(preferable) or the dealer to include a float bag with the sale. I don't
think this would change the wholesale cost of the boat by more than about
$10 and would certainly go along way towards reducing liability of a
possible lawsuit.

Can't you just hear an experienced outfitter being cross examined ---"Since
you know what float bags are and have them in your store, can you explain
why you didn't mention this important piece of safety equipment before my
client's husband drowned--after all, he was just starting out in this sport
and didn't know much about it.?"

Steve Holtzman
Southern CA
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