Rob said: >You mean *I heard it on the internet* applies here, too?< Okay, so maybe not that bad. I take what folks post at face value, and appreciate the various views and opinions expressed, and even learn a lot (like from Matt). What bothers me is getting caught up in absolutes, like, "This particular kayak runs of course and needs constant corrective strokes; a very dangerous kayak." Not that anyone said that particular statement outright. In fact, there may be a tendency for a particular design to do just that, but so do all the other kayaks in that design category, just each one may weathercock at varying degrees (pun partially intended). Just like with rudders, all boats would benefit from them in certain situations, even say a Mariner, but a very many well designed kayaks perform very adequately without them installed, with other options accounting for an ability to maintain course. Rudders aren't bad, just another option, with advantages and drawbacks. I've heard of other boats that are fast, comfy, look good, but didn't give a particularly sea kindly ride in lumpy seas (based on feedback from other paddlers). Other kayaks, I've seen directly, paddled by skilled individuals, complete with skegs incorporated and deep "V" hulls, yet perform poorly in a quartering sea (poorly being a subjective comment by the owners). Nevertheless, people will take their stand, often on one side of an issue, or the other, and that gives listserver groups like Paddlewise some needed liveliness. And somewhere in the middle of an argument, lies reality and truth, almost always, few exceptions. In the end, getting out on the water and having fun is what really counts. And getting out come voting day can really count too, though I'm not so sure the polemics in our respective countries are much fun anymore. Hey, let us know how the Alaska trip went. Doug Lloyd Victoria BC *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Jun 25 2004 - 21:52:24 PDT
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:31:15 PDT