Re: [Paddlewise] Another Tiderace Review

Rob, you said:

>I believe Duane Strosaker said something very credible, in that the Broze 
>brothers are very, very serious hull designers who have a deep 
>understanding of kayaks (far more than I by an exponential factor).



While that is true, we have someone on the other coast who designs kayaks 
that look entirely different from Mariner kayaks - I'm thinking of John 
Winters and the very modern, very well made QCC kayaks.



>However, the kayak is a combination of hull and deck that forms a system 
>and I prefer the system that defers to hull performance, rescueability and 
>ease of use by the operator. If you buy the Broze philosophy of paddling 
>you will be well rewarded with a kayak whose hull is peerless, whose 
>construction is peerless (my opinions) and whose deck is not of my 
>preference, (the other part of the system that separates us from open 
>canoes). These are just my opinions and preferences from operating on open 
>water. Like the original operators of closed decked boats, I have my 
>preferences and wish not to pollute my fellow paddlers with my biases and 
>suggest they seek out theirs. I currently paddle the compromise of all 
>comromises, the NDK Explorer. I like it, you may not. snip



Well, I called the mariner line of kayaks a perfect compromise in an earlier 
post. Probably, Matt would say they are without compromise. While the NDK's 
are not everybodies cup of tea, the Mariners are not everybodies cup of 
java. I suppose what Craig was trying to get at is that the Mariner boats 
are distinguished by their lack of need for skeg or rudder. This then truly 
isn't a compromise. I always figured the Coaster and the Express or Elan 
were the distinctive, seakindly, maneuverable kayaks that an active paddling 
style rewarded best and best represented what the Mariner kayaks were all 
about. The rest of the line was okay. Of course, leecocking or 
weathercocking issues are often more related to loading and seat positioning 
with some of the Mariners. One of the paddlers I knew was tall, and so may 
have been seated incorrectly (too far back). Still, Craig asks a legit 
question in wondering why at least some of the field of Mariners never got 
picked up by someone else. I'd certainly be willing to play with the hull 
design to incorporate it into something with a different deck and tighter 
fit, if plans were available. There's a whole world of strip-kayak builders 
out there who would eventually prove or disprove the notion that these boats 
were the penultimate, as these guys can choose from an array of kayak 
designs and modify for size.



I do think the NDK represents probably the best all around performance sea 
kayak in the world today. A not-bad playboat that still offers expedition 
potential and versatility, while taking care of the paddler. Predictable, 
neutral in strong winds, trim-enabled with the skeg in high winds to change 
the pivot point, it's an awesome rough water machine. I didn't like the fit 
compared to my Nordkapp, but would probably absolutely love to try an 
Explorer LV with its better fit for me, lower deck, and cockpit length 
smaller that of a full-size keyhole but bigger than an Oceancockpit. It's 
not necessarily just an LV girlie boat. However, I didn't like the 
Explorer's secondary stability which kicks in quickly. So no, it's not the 
perfect kayak for me. I like a kayak with and egge, one that keeps me on the 
edge, not one that you can edge all day effortlessly because something else 
has to be compronised. Oh, and there are folks who sell Explorers after a 
year or two, still looking for something better (more playful, faster, who 
knows). I think you might like the Tiderace kayaks though, Rob.



But people come in such a wide range of sizes and weights and expectations 
and performance goals and usage requirements, that there's never going to be 
consensus on the perfect kayak. The Nordkapp has been, according to 
Seakayaker magazine, a number one choice in voting and model requested for 
review over the years. How can that be described as marketing? It was merely 
reflective of readership input. A wide variety of readership. And just who 
is out there saying a skinny, difficult to relax in kayak is what one should 
be aiming for? What consperitorial marketing? Every size and configuration 
of kayak out there is currently marketed.



In an earlier post, Craig suggests I could never feel comfortable in a 
different kayak, as I've had my Nordkapp HS too long. No, I'm willing to 
admit designs have far improved over the last few years, and there may even 
be designs out there far superior for given criteria that have been 
available for a number of years. But if I try other kayaks and don't get the 
performance I'm looking for, isn't attempts to sway me an attempt to pollute 
my mind by suggesting I'm blinded? Anyway, I like your take on things Rob. 
Besides, I know I need a new kind of ride; I'll let you guys know when I 
find it.



Doug Lloyd
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