Re: [Paddlewise] How tough are SOF

Short answer is "pretty well" - folks have had multiple instances of rough water experience in SOF's.  See www.qajaqusa.org for more info.

I believe folks have built SOF's with waterproof forward and aft compartments, and hatches - see same site above.

Chris Duff's Romany Explorer didn't survive the sort of punishment he put it through on the trip around South Island - I've seen the pictures - he spent several days stranded on the beach before getting picked up - the boat was repaired and he finished the trip - same could have been done with an SOF.

I am not saying SOFs are super boats - just that SOFs are surprisingly (to us) rugged, lightwieght and adaptable.  They also come in multiple shapes and sizes - heck, Brian Schultz replicated one of Matt Broze's designs (Coaster) in SOF.


Keith
--
NDK Romany Explorer, red over white
NDK Romany, green over white
Using skinny sticks --  'cause they're so much fun
Think folks should use whatever makes them smile

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Gordin Warner <gwarner2_at_shaw.ca>
> Just how tough are SOF kayaks?
> 
> How well would they stand up to an emergency landing on a dumping surf beach?
> Could they survive more then one dumping surf landing?
> 
> What's the best skin to use if you want to paddle a SOF in the rock gardens?
> 
> Can you build a SOF with water proof forward and aft compartments as Doug
> seems to imply he'd like to do?
> 
> Would not ridgid bulkheads thwart the whole flexible aspects of a SOF?
> 
> I ask these questions out of ignorance I'm not trying to start a month long
> arguement over the merits of SOF.  In fact I've considered a SOF for a trip
> I'd like to make to a remote area.  Howeer, I'd like to know if such  boat can
> take the sort of punishment for example that Chris Duff's NDK went through
> down in New Zealand.
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