Re: [Paddlewise] Which types of boats?

I see Sterling has improved his site a bit. What's with the Illusion? Tell 
me more (please).

Doug Lloyd

> On Sat, Oct 4, 2008 at 8:30 AM, <Pamvetdr_at_aol.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>      To deliberately change the subject, what types of boats would be in 
>> a
>> well appointed kayakers stable? And would responders give an example of 
>> each
>> type? These are for you, not for the neighborhood.
>>
>
> I know British-style boats are "in" now but I like boats designed and 
> built
> in Washington and BC (Canada).  Here is my fantasy fleet based on Pam's
> outline:
>
> Expedition: Nimbus Telkwa HV. Preferably in Kevlar but only (only!) 62lbs 
> in
> f/g. Excellent initial *and* secondary stability. Tracks well in high 
> winds
> and seas. Easy to correct with its Feathercraft rudder but even at 18 '6"
> (and 25" wide!) the boat feels smaller and nimbler than it has any right 
> to.
> On edge it turns well without the rudder and turns very well with the
> rudder. Deck lines are well designed, seating is comfortable, roomy 
> cockpit
> is easily customized for fit, hatches are tight. Most models have a
> convenient fabric map shelf that doesn't get in the way. The boat feels 
> rock
> solid in any weather. Carries a load; trust me.
>
> Distance/Speed boat: Mariner II. At 17'11" and only 21" wide the Mariner 
> II
> is tough and fast. If you can fit into its sliding seat (I can, but only
> barely) you have unparalleled control over balance in changing winds and
> seas. Fast! Did I mention that? No skeg or rudder to mess with (or slow 
> you
> down). Needs flotation unless you have one with bulkheads. Fast!
>
> My day-to-day (intermediate) boat is a Mariner Express. At 16' long and 
> only
> 20.5" wide at the waterlilne (22.5" maximum beam) the Express' size gives 
> it
> the ability to maneuver in tight places as well as have a good turn of
> speed. The Express seems to surf on ripples and seems to be able to make
> course changes psychically (no skeg or rudder); think 5-deg left and 
> before
> you know it you've done it. Big enough to carry a week's load of camping
> gear but if you paddle one empty you should either have flotation fore and
> aft or, like Pam, have one with a stern bulkhead and compartment. The
> Express also excels in riding up and over the waves and not through them
> giving the paddler a nice dry ride. Also a pretty quick ride.
>
> Runner up for intermediate would be the Nimbus Solander. Well balanced and
> light (in kevlar). Just a tad small for me.
>
> Nooks and Crannies and surf boat: Mariner Coaster. These are truly 
> legendary
> kayaks (immortalized in films, books and stories about the Tsunami 
> Rangers).
> If you never go farther than 20nm a day and don't spend more than a few 
> days
> camping, the Coaster would be all you'd need in a kayak. It's stable 
> enough
> for my favorite 7-year-old to consider "her" boat but almost as nimble as 
> a
> white water kayak in rock gardens and tight places. Tracks well, edges 
> well
> (the 7-year-old intuitively edges the Coaster... I never taught her how to
> do it... she just figured it out), is comfortable once you get a decent 
> seat
> and backband, and paddles easily at 4mph all day long. At the sea kayaking
> seminar in Port Townsend a few weeks ago I parked next to the Tsunami 
> Ranger
> who was giving the talk on rock gardening. When she walked past my car 
> (with
> my Coaster on top) she patted the Coaster on its butt and smiled. Only 
> thing
> I'd change is give it another inch in cockpit length. But once I'm in, 
> it's
> all good.
>
> White water boat for rock play: Perception Pirouette Super Sport. 
> Available
> all over for $200 or so and tough as nails (my sons' boat sailed off the
> roof of our SUV at 50mph 7 years ago and it's still good to go), easy to
> roll, maneuverable but still holds a course (if you are alert). Only
> downside is that you really should be under 190lbs and 6' to be 
> comfortable.
> Long legs are a severe handicap in this boat.
>
> Runner-up for w/w rock play: Dagger RPM or RPM Max (for those over 
> 230lbs).
> They've sold more RPMs than any other white water kayak. Available around
> $400 used, tough, roomy, maneuverable, easy to roll. Hard to paddle
> straight.
>
> Ocean Play Boat: George Gronseth's new Illusion. Makes my heart go 
> pitty-pat
> when I see George paddle his. They are using a new method of customizing 
> the
> volume for the paddler when the boat is built by raising or lowering the
> deck-to-hull join; very clever. Lots of rocker for maneuverability. Cons:
> Might be wet; has a skeg.
>
> So there you have *my* idea of a perfect stable of sea kayaks. How many of
> them do I own? My wife thinks "too many". She might be right. If you lined
> up every sea kayak owned by my immediate family (me, my wife, my kids) 
> then
> we have a 115 foot boat!!!
>
> Maybe I can join the yacht club. :)
>
>
> Craig Jungers
> Moses Lake, WA
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