Re: [Paddlewise] Which types of boats?

On Wed, 8 Oct 2008 00:33:04 -0700, "Doug Lloyd" <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>
said:
> Kirk,
> What about these surf ski/sea kayaks like the Nemo? Maybe a better hybrid 
> for dedicated sea kayakers wanting to go fast.


For me it's a simple safety decision.  It takes me approximately 5
seconds to remount my surf ski.   75 seconds after falling off I'm
paddling again with a fully empty boat.
Continuing in the safety vein, I'm also more likely to dress for the
water temp since I know my lower body is going to be wet.  

The Nemo is a fast hull.  But it doesn't self empty after a blown roll. 
 The Van Dusen Mohican is another hybrid, it's got a self bailer, but
it's cockpit area is quite large and it holds more water than I would
like in those "wave in the lap" conditions.

For rest breaks and "I'm in trouble" extra stability, on the surf ski I
can drop both legs into the water.  It's tough to do that with a
traditional kayak.  Sure a paddle float could be deployed, but that's
tough when the "trouble" is only going to be 100 yards or 10 seconds,
conditions such as a multiple large wakes, or rounding an exposed point. 

There are definitely conditions where I would prefer an enclosed boat,
the open water equivalent of whitewater, but for go fast day tripping
I'll stay outside ;-)

Probably the most fun on the surf ski is when the wind is blowing and
you can find a downwind run for some wonderful wave riding.

I do love to roll, and one of these days will build a greenland boat so
I can spend more quality upside down time.  

Kirk




-- 
  Kirk Olsen
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