[Paddlewise] FC- K2 (new to me)

Craig said 

> FC...don't pop up that often anywhere...Especially the K-2 version

I guess I've been tracking various second-hand sites for about a year - in
NZ, Australia, Europe and North America - and you are right that perhaps
only a hundred FC boats a year seem to come up for re-sale.

That is after weeding out the amazing number of Craig's List scams. Seems
like FC are one of the more popular items for scammers - with the same
pictures regularly cropping up across the US & Canada. Certainly makes it
invaluable to have a 'mate' in the right city - who can toddle round and run
an eye over the merchandise.

There seems to be a flow of used K2s through the Alaska rental fleet and
some universities - but these get snapped up fast. Then there seem to be a
number of Khatsalanos being sold by people who's 'power of positive
thinking' has let them down when it comes to getting comfortable with the
challenge of what appears to be an expert's boat. K1's & Kahunas show up
most often - I guess those are FC's most popular models.

The Wisper (no 'h' in Wisper ;-) must be a truly amazing kayak. No one
on-sells them and no one writes about them on the internet. Owners must all
be too busy paddling them. I know Dubside has one. If I google 'Feathercraft
wisper' (limiting results to the past year), I get only about 120 hits and
many of those are about bird-art. Makes me keen to try one out, but I don't
know of one within 10,000 km ;-(

Last weekend, we took the K2 out for a brief 'can we try it before we buy
it' spin (on calm water) and it confirmed what we expected it would feel
like. Comfortable, not too much of a battleship, very responsive to rudder
and not bad control with the rudder up (responsive to a bit of edging and a
sweep stroke or two).

6 months ago, we each had a go with a K1, out in wind and surf and were
mightily impressed with its capabilities. The K2 is clearly from the same
stable (pun intended) and we shall be looking for a good opportunity to take
it out for some adrenaline testing.

Also looking for any good solutions (again pun intended) for re-coating a
couple of small areas of nylon which are shedding their internal waterproof
layer (old-age). The Sea-socks and spraydecks can be replaced, but there are
some small areas of the fabric which form risers from the deck at the
hatches. Not critical, but if you have had good results with something - I'd
love to hear of it.
	
Best Regards
Paul Hayward, Auckland, New Zealand
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