I have noticed in myself a vague sense of unease over the past few months and put it down to the economy. Well that was cleared up this morning when I was assured by a former Senator that economic woes are all in my head. I feel better about *that* now. But there is still that feeling. The symptoms were difficult to categorize but there were a few clues. 1. I no longer update craigslist every few minutes; 2. I no longer cruise craigslist in Alaska, California and Oregon; 3. Ebay has not crossed my web browser in months; 4. When I go to paddling.net I read the "places to paddle" and the stories and not the kayak reviews and classifieds; 5. As I read through my Sea Kayaker I smirk at the test reports and turn to the safety and paddling stories; and, 6. I'm no longer tempted to test paddle boats at the various kayaking seminars. This morning I was shocked when I suddenly realized the truth. I don't want another kayak! After 35 years of thinking about my "next" boat, I understood that I have enough of them and I'm mighty pleased with them. The vague sense of unease I've been feeling must be guilt over not being the consumer I'm sure my government wants me to be. But I've done my part. Well, mostly at least. I have a "quiver" of kayaks for every conceivable purpose. I shouldn't feel guilty. What I finally came to understand this morning is that two of my kayaks fit me - and 90% of my kayaking - like a glove. They're quick, responsive, maneuverable, and still track when I want them to. Either of them can play in surf or rock gardens but one does it better than the other. Either can be loaded for an overnighter or weekend but one does it better than the other. Either can be loaded pretty easily onto my Kia's roof rack but one does it better than the other. I could live with either of these kayaks if I had no other boat but having both of them is like getting dessert for every meal in the day. (Mmmm.... chocolate.) Oh, I have other kayaks to be sure. One expedition-style cruiser that is roomy, comfortable, pretty responsive for its size and capable of carrying a load. But my tastes in paddling have changed and I don't need a load-carrier unless I have to take along wheels (very handy for using the ferries). So most of the time that boat is used by my son when he wants to come along. I have one high-volume plastic white water kayak that is perfect for rock gardens in surf. That boat doesn't get used much simply because the nearest rock gardens in surf are a minimum of 8 hours drive away. And I have to drive past some really sweet cruising grounds to get there. But I'm not going to sell it. It's small enough to just keep handy just in case I might want it. Why let it go? The only possible additions to my fleet would include a nice folder; a Folbot or Feathercraft (and I know some P'wisers cringe at putting those two names in the same sentence) would be nice. I had a double Folbot 30 years ago and put hundreds of miles on it and a Feathercraft in a backpack is tempting. And a SOF or low volume fun boat would also be nice. But I don't sit around dreaming about them. My dreamboats sit right outside my door. Of course, to be a real asset to the economy we should probably all buy our kayaks brand new from the manufacturer or the retailer and I must admit to a certain backsliding in that regard. I've bought some of my most beloved boats from craigslist. But I have also bought boats from retailers. I figure that buying a second-hand boat gives that paddler the cash to go out and buy another kayak that would fit him/her better. Or the cash for a new PFD or drysuit. So this morning, as I gaze at my two favorite kayaks sitting ready for almost any adventure next to my fence I smile to myself. My wife can finally relax. I know that - at least for now - I have enough kayaks. Of course, I could always use a new paddle. Craig Jungers Moses Lake, WA *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Craig said (snip): > Of course, to be a real asset to the economy we should probably all buy > our > kayaks brand new from the manufacturer or the retailer and I must admit to > a > certain backsliding in that regard. I've bought some of my most beloved > boats from craigslist. But I have also bought boats from retailers. I > figure > that buying a second-hand boat gives that paddler the cash to go out and > buy > another kayak that would fit him/her better. Or the cash for a new PFD or > drysuit. > > So this morning, as I gaze at my two favorite kayaks sitting ready for > almost any adventure next to my fence I smile to myself. My wife can > finally > relax. I know that - at least for now - I have enough kayaks. > > Of course, I could always use a new paddle. I picked up a used sit-on-top last year off Craiglist; it's an old Laser-made unit according to Matt, with a large center mound between the leg wells that has a Scotty mount for a sail. I got it cheaper than advertised ($200.00 I think). Though it is wide, it is very unstable. We were up at Campbell Lake for the week family camping and kayaking. Was rather windy but had lots of fun. I picked up a back rest in Comox for it for just over 30 bucks. My wife was very impressed with my thriftiness. I'm on a budget these days, so it will be interesting rebuilding this Laser SOT on the cheap. I want to add sailing capacity and an outrigger, etc. My wife knows not to relax too much yet, as I still need my ultimate next sea kayak. She must remain vigilant. Hide those cheque books, dear. But the SOT is kinda fun for now. Link to mini-trip report: http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=2138 Doug Lloyd *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On Mon, Jul 14, 2008 at 10:28 PM, Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca> wrote: > > > My wife knows not to relax too much yet, as I still need my ultimate next > sea kayak. She must remain vigilant. Hide those cheque books, dear. But the > SOT is kinda fun for now. > My wife bought an SOT some 5 or 6 years ago and I must say that, in my opinion, it was a piece of crap. She thought that having a boat you could just climb up onto would make her feel more secure but, while that was true, the rest of the boat's characteristics made it no fun to paddle and she bought the first Nimbus Solander that came on the market the next year. I personally subscribe to the Dave Kruger system of self-rescue: don't tip it over! It has worked admirably for me, too. I wonder why I never of thought of it myself. The SOT remained stuffed away in a cranny of the yard here at the lake house until she finally sold it last year. Even at the giveaway price she sold it for I felt so guilty when we turned it over to the new buyer that I stayed in the cab of the truck. I'm sure it will be a learning experience for him. As far as hiding the cheque books... wait 'til you read the attachment to Pam's last email to you. <grin> Like all addicts, we're always ready to help another addict get his (or her) fix. Craig Jungers Moses Lake, WA *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Cute little puppy, but it does look much happier with your daughter than with you! Perhaps it's aware of your kayak exploits and was afraid for its life! Mark -----Original Message----- I picked up a used sit-on-top last year off Craiglist; Link to mini-trip report: http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=2138 Doug Lloyd *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On Tue, Jul 15, 2008 at 8:36 AM, Mark Sanders <sandmarks_at_ca.rr.com> wrote: > Cute little puppy, but it does look much happier with your daughter than > with you! Perhaps it's aware of your kayak exploits and was afraid for its > life! Dogs can be very perceptive. If that puppy can tell, instinctively, that DL is a paddler to be wary of, maybe we can breed up a version that can tell girls which boys not to get involved with. I've already tried the "boyfriend application" system but it was received with a less-than-warm reception. Perhaps it was the checkbox next to "small farm animals" under question 4: "My last relationship was with...." When they stand next to your desk and tap their foot, you know it's not the same as the airport, somehow. LOL. Craig *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Just wait until I get the dog platform finished, but yeah, she sure wasn't happy being with me. She kept leaning over the edge looking longingly toward mum and the girls, making the kayak tippy. Perhaps I shouldn't have kept yelling "Heel!" :-) BTW, I was surprised how big those whitecaps can get on a lake for a given fetch and velocity. Apparently the dog was too. Doug L > Cute little puppy, but it does look much happier with your daughter than > with you! Perhaps it's aware of your kayak exploits and was afraid for its > life! > > Mark > > -----Original Message----- > > > I picked up a used sit-on-top last year off Craiglist; > > Link to mini-trip report: > > http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=2138 > > Doug Lloyd *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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