Could it be simply due to pride? If the mariner design was the dominate design then there would not be many other kayak designers in business. In other words no matter how great the mariner design might be, there will aways be some pride filled designer out there that thinks he/she can come up with something better or at least different. And I think it's hard for first time kayak buyers to appreciate the subtleties of the mariner design which creates a demand for kayaks with rudders/skegs. I would really love to see some statistics as to which are the most popular sea kayaks. While you are all touting performance, I suspect the truth of the matter is that your typical sea kayaker (even second and third time buyers)are not really so sophisticated as to their choices in boats - and paddles, and other gear for that matter. Just look at car sales for example. Is everybody really looking for the most efficient vehicle? Just what in the %^$# is going through the heads of the people who buy Hummers? Why do we have so many different variations of automobiles if everybody is looking for the same perfect car? I suspect that a great many designers and manufactures of sea kayaks are looking to produce little more then what current trends in sales dictate. But then that's just my very cynical take on the subject :-) Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** 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 Tue Mar 11 2008 - 17:53:03 PDT
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