Re: [Paddlewise] Advice on boats

Doug,
I was not familiar with the Wilcox review.  Thanks.

Let me slice out a few points that struck me:

Doug wrote:
> Some of my post was purposefully subjective. As you have correctly 
> implied, defending the "twitchiness" of the Nordkapp often comes down to a 
> certain subjectivity.

Jerry says:
No doubt.  But the Nordkapp LV is such a beautiful boat, with so many 
accolades as a wonderful rough water boat, that I would love to love it 
myself.  Unfortunately I have not been able to.  And it is because of the 
sploosh effect, or fear thereof.

Wilcox wrote:
> However, as you edge an Alaw the boat becomes progressively stiffer and 
> more secure feeling, as you edge the Nordkapp LV it just keeps going over 
> smoothly until sploosh. There is no warning when you are just about at the 
> limit of secondary stability. Intermediates learning edging and bow rudder 
> strokes found the Alaws to be much easier."

Jerry asks:
All other things being equal, how does this lack of warning provide any 
benefit to even an advanced paddler?

Wilcox writes:
> "was expecting it to be manoeuvrable, given all that keel rocker, but I 
> was not expecting it to be fast. However, it accelerates to top speed with 
> fewer strokes than any other boat I have paddled. And what a burst speed 
> it has! The Nordkapp LV managed 11.6km/hr."

Jerry says:
A friend with a Nordkapp LV has done some comparative speed trials against 
some other boats (on flat water) and disputes any speed claim for the NLV.

Doug wrote:
>The Alaw's, Xcites and Romanys/Explorers are so incredible rock solid on 
>edge or when forced over in following seas unexpectedly there's just much 
>less chance for "sploosh" and more indication that you can keep an edge for 
>device-less directional control.

Jerry says:
After saying this, Doug, it is hard for me to contemplate an NLV vs one of 
these others.  This incredible rock solidness has no associated negatives.

Doug wrote:
> So yes, why paddle a Nordkapp. Well, for the Nordkapp aficionado, the LV 
> rectifies a lot of the previous problems with the Classic, the H2O, and 
> Jubilee models.

Jerry asks:
I would ask why the Nordkapp afficionado prefers it to the rock solid boats 
you mentioned, not former Nordkapp models?  If I could answer for you, or 
other afficionados, I would say that you just like it.  Period.  That your 
skills are such that the sploosh effect is simply not an issue.

Doug wrote:
> The speed issue is one important to me. Getting back in fast or clearing a 
> headland quickly are all important attributes for me. I tried a Seda 
> Glider out once. Fast. Awesome. But, in a lumpy sea and wind, forget it!

Jerry says:
Having owned one, I agree about the Glider in lumpy seas, especially wind. 
As for speed, I think more about getting an extra quarter knot at normal 
paddle speed than top or racing speed.  I find that I get this in my new QCC 
700X, but am not yet sure about lumpy seas.

>
> Doug Wilcox concludes:
> in extreme conditions even experts appreciate secondary stability."
>
> He seems to agree with you Jerry in his last sentence above.

Jerry says:
Non-experts appreciate stability even more.  But not too much stability.  My 
whole point is not, stable vs unstable.  Rather it is the advantage of a 
small bit of reserve buoyancy or feedback from chines in otherwise similar 
hulls.

Doug wrote:
> When I sit in an NDK or Tiderace, I'm immediately aware of certain 
> advantages. As seas get rougher - all the more. Do I enjoy the experience. 
> No. Not the same. A kayak is more than the sum of its parts. Kayak and 
> kayaker are one. When a kayaker is in a sea kayak they really enjoy, the 
> experience truly is greater than the sum of the parts.

Jerry says:
So you choose the romance of the NLV over 'certain advantages'.  Well, who 
can explain true love?

> I have not found that perfect experience yet. Everyone wants an exciting, 
> sexy, wild, good looking souse. Rarely is a frumpy, reliable, faithful and 
> true spouse not the best option in the long term. I'm looking for both (in 
> a kayak, that is). I'll let you know when I find it. :-)

I look forward to the revelation.  Meanwhile I am sticking with my wife.
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