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From: Mark Sanders <sandmarks_at_ca.rr.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Impulse buy
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 20:49:57 -0700
Well, I'm the new owner of a highly used Current Designs kayak. Can't tell
exactly which model, but I'm guessing Solstice GTS. Not the best boat for a
big person; I'll have to do some modification of the seat to fit, but
figured the price was too good to pass on.
Any opinions on this model?

Mark
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From: Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Impulse buy
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 01:20:50 -0700
Good all-around touring boat. I prefer the Nimbus kayaks for their better 
maneuverability, generally (as observed over the years). More kayaks you 
have, better to pick one from your quiver for an intended purpose - though 
one of mine was getting too heavy to take out of the quiver, so bye-bye.



I like the CD kayaks. Fairly neutral hull designs...then you can 
rudder-around any problems that arise or rudder-down because you need to 
mask lack of proper skills.  :-)



I don't like the older Pisces. Just finished writing about one for my SK 
article which I finally got today in the mail. Long read in the magazine. 
Too much other detail to then talk about the hindrance a big boat might have 
been for the paddler off Brooks that disappeared just over 2 years ago. And 
what about all that stability? Did it help? Or hinder? Don't forget, I had 
to tow a Pisces with full gear and overload and a six-foot heavy paddler for 
seven hours in a gale and counter-tide once. Even had protracted and 
somewhat unpleasant words exchanged in the old Ocean Kayaking Association of 
BC newsletters many years ago with the designer over allegations the Pieces 
was involved with a few too many incidents. Ah for the old days. Narrow 
versus wide. But the Solstice line, I like. With your weight, it might be a 
good unladen ride. You want be looking at the girls on the beach, but rather 
the waves: "Yeah man, that's very surfable!"



Doug Lloyd

> Well, I'm the new owner of a highly used Current Designs kayak. Can't tell
> exactly which model, but I'm guessing Solstice GTS. Not the best boat for 
> a
> big person; I'll have to do some modification of the seat to fit, but
> figured the price was too good to pass on.
> Any opinions on this model?
>
> Mark
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From: Leonhardt, William J <wjleonhardt_at_bnl.gov>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Impulse buy
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 09:13:17 -0400
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net 
> [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net] On Behalf Of Mark Sanders
> Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 11:50 PM
> To: 'CKF Discussions'
> Cc: PaddleWise
> Subject: [Paddlewise] Impulse buy
> 
> Well, I'm the new owner of a highly used Current Designs 
> kayak. Can't tell
> exactly which model, but I'm guessing Solstice GTS. Not the 
> best boat for a
> big person; I'll have to do some modification of the seat to fit, but
> figured the price was too good to pass on.
> Any opinions on this model?
> 
> Mark
 

Mark,

I have a 12 year old Solstice GT and I still love the boat.  If I had to
replace it I would probably look for a GTS.  I would like to have a GTS
for the increase in performance, but there are days when conditions are
really snotty and I really appreciate the extra beam.

I love the seat.  I have done swim race supports (around Manhattan)
where I am in the boat for up to 11 hours straight and I really
appreciate the seat design.

Best of luck with your new find,

Bill Leonhardt 
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From: Jerry F <gfoodma_at_earthlink.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Impulse buy
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 12:46:10 -0700
> Mark,
>
> I have a 12 year old Solstice GT and I still love the boat.  If I had to
> replace it I would probably look for a GTS.  I would like to have a GTS
> for the increase in performance, but there are days when conditions are
> really snotty and I really appreciate the extra beam.

Bill,
I have a 13 year old Solstice GTS and I still love the boat.  (I have bought 
and sold several others during that period.)  If I had to replace it I would 
probably look for another GTS.  The GTS is great for A to B travel in snotty 
conditions as long as you don't want to do quick 180 deg turns.  It is quite 
stable for a 22" beam.
Jerry 
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From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Impulse buy
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 07:44:06 -0700
On 9/4/08, Mark Sanders <sandmarks_at_ca.rr.com> wrote:
>
> Well, I'm the new owner of a highly used Current Designs kayak. Can't tell
> exactly which model, but I'm guessing Solstice GTS. Not the best boat for a
> big person; I'll have to do some modification of the seat to fit, but
> figured the price was too good to pass on.
> Any opinions on this model?



I've never paddled one but I think the CD boats are pretty well made. If you
go to www.paddling.net you can check on kayak reviews by paddlers for almost
any kayak. Ignore the number ratings (almost everyone thinks their current
ride is a 10 out of 10) and read the texts. The GTS is, according to the
reviewers, very stable and tracks like a locomotive. In fact it tracks so
well it is difficult to turn without the rudder. It has a tendency to pearl
in surf due to the fine entry and the buoyant stern so lean waaaaay back.
They all agree that it's very fast (almost 18 feet long). Some of the
hatches leak but most of them didn't.

Sounds like a good boat to lead the next Catalina-for-lunch trip. :)

Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
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