Re: [Paddlewise] How tough are SOF

Thanks for the link Rob. I enjoyed the story. I can imagine the keen
juxtaposition of dealing with dumping surf in a world class surf break area,
then paddling the relative serenity of the river upstream.

Folks might enjoy Brian's story of the same trip:

>http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.capefalconkayak.com/7w-arch
-at-cabo-matapalo.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.capefalconkayak.com/costarica.html
&h=333&w=500&sz=35&hl=en&start=65&um=1&tbnid=4OR_QLZ47qzEUM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=130
&prev=/images%3Fq%3DCabo%2BMatapalo%26start%3D60%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26u
m%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN<

Best to you over the long weekend. Do they make chocolate covered kayaks?

Doug L

  Brian Schulz (Cape Falcon Kayaks) is fun to paddle with, an energetic mind
to say the least. He does beat the hell out of his boats, too. On the link
below his pinky SOF (what was he thinking, really?) is juxtaposed nicely in a
decent rock garden. The photos are from the PCTIKS (Pacific Coastal
Traditional Inuit Kayak Symposium), many of which I took.

  http://capefalconkayak.com/pctiksphotos.html

  The PCTIKS event spurred much debate regarding their use in coastal waters
on the qajaqusa web site. Some boaters questioned the seaworthyness in a
coastal setting, raising concerns of holing the boat, crushing the frame, etc.
Even some died in the wool SOF'ers would not bring theirs as it elevated the
risk a bit much, in their opinion. Personally, I don't agree with the
dissenters that only a hardshell boat with bulkheads and hatches meets ocean
paddling seaworthyness standards. I've done most of my best trips in a
Khatsalano, a different animal I know, but is more SOF like than my NDK Romany
HV. It has proven to be a very durable boat. The link below is a story I
posted on another board. Good pics of one of Brian's boat designs.

  http://www.ukseakayakguidebook.co.uk/osa_peninsula/art_osa_pen.htm

  The focus then turned into a what features your boat needs to have
discussion. A deck line we can tow you from, serious floatation and design one
could handle. Brian made a group buy of Corey Freedman's extra long float bags
and those without good floatation bought them there. Everyone survived.

  My point: SOF's are very tough. Do they have vulnerabilites? Don't we all.

  Cheers,

  Rob G
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