Re: [Paddlewise] Advice on boats

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doug Lloyd" <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>
To: "Jerry F" <gfoodma_at_earthlink.net>; "Dave Kruger" <kdruger_at_pacifier.com>; 
"Paddlewise" <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Friday, May 08, 2009 12:38 AM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Advice on boats

Doug,
The most telling phrase in your superb exposition is the final 'certain 
essential wildness'.  So the Nordkapp aficionados have a spiritual 
characteristic in their blood.  I can perhaps 'grok' that.  But from a 
practical point of view I don't see any advantage to twitchiness/low 
stability in a sea kayak.  If one wants highest top speed, one must accept 
the the twitchiness of a 21 ft by 17 inch surf ski.  But for sea kayak hours 
in unruly seas why not all the advantages one can get.  You use a rudder, 
for example, and I heartily approve; it just makes things a bit easier, so 
why not.  Likewise a bit of stability (not too much) will make things easier 
after long rough hours at sea.

Or perhaps one is playing in wild tide races, and has the Olympic qualitiy 
reflexes and skills of, say, a Sean Morley.  Then, perhaps, one is in 
another realm where ultimate side to side quickness is an advantage.  Even 
here, however, a bit of chine and its associated carving/turning response 
can only be a positive.

If, as you say,  "in an all-day slog in lumpy, short-period seas, the 
tight-ass Nordy delivers  consistent sea-kindly rides - all be it with 
continued attention."  Then what practical advantage accrues from such 
required continued attention?  That attention requires added effort, which 
can be draining over time.  And as you note many good paddlers have switched 
out of Nordkapps.

But I will be cool.  I only rant because I wish that the pleasure and 
excitement of the Nordkapps were 'in my blood' as well.

PeterO,
I don't agree with getting a boat that is difficult to handle, just in order 
to learn it.  For this reason I don't have a unicycle.

Jerry
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