Re: [Paddlewise] Another Tiderace Review

Somehow this thread has become something other than just a question "was
Mariner the only one to get it right" in reference to extra doodads on a
hull shape to make it do things that the design alone didn't do. But at
least it's interesting.

On Tue, Mar 11, 2008 at 9:19 PM, <rcgibbert_at_aol.com> wrote:

> My Explorer is a nice boat. It is made well, heavy, but solid. It is
> reasonably maneuverable, but not like the Romany 16. It is appointed with
> the deck features I prefer. It is not fast, it is not slow. It rolls well,
> but it doesn't give me the desire or direction to capsize much. If you spend
> more time in it Mark, you may like it more, or, you may want to consider
> other designs. Purely up to you. For me it works pretty well. I could just
> as well be in a Mariner Max and deal with its issues. Either are great
> choices.


Rob's thoughts on this are interesting given that he also paddles white
water in a Jackson kayak. For me, with little interesting in marathon open
water journeys, a boat that plays well along the edges of the land and feels
light and nimble is what I'm interested in; as long as it's good enough in
open water to get me to where I want to paddle and back and doesn't try to
throw me off. Any more than 5 miles away and I start thinking about
motherships or car ferries. <grin>  I was as surprised as anyone to discover
that the Express did that job in spades. I expect the Coaster to do just as
well once Sterling has patched up its hull.

I think I prefer using cleats for towing as opposed to belt tows but frankly
haven't practiced either much. We should correct that this season. And deck
rigging behind me is like buying things on a credit card my wife writes the
checks for; basically, I don't give it a lot of thought as long as my spare
paddles are held securely.

Doug's comments on the size of a person making a big difference in the boat
he (or she) prefers sure seem reasonable to me. Not only that, but as we
paddle and play in our boats we all discover things we like and don't like
that to other people seem inconsequential. Doug's loyalty to his Nordkap may
be that he's just used to it after 25 years. But it also might be that
serendipitous blend of boat and body that everyone is hoping to find. Mark
might want to paddle a couple of Mariner boats (the Max, probably, based on
physical size) and see what he thinks. There should be someone on the CKF
list who has one locally.

Interestingly enough, there is still a Marilner Max advertised in the
Seattle craigslist (although it needs bow repairs). There is also a Mariner
Escape in the same ad. I forget the pricing. I can bring one down next month
if you want, Mark. <grin>

Either of these would be big enough for Mark but the Max is a newer design
and smaller cockpit. I have an Escape that I'm planning to store at our
Whidbey Island beach getaway-yurt just to make sure I have a ride available
there. No need to wear booties in an Escape; I have size 12 feet and I'm
pretty sure I could just wear gum boots and fit in just fine. If I could
find my gum boots (after our move) I'd test it.


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
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