Re: [Paddlewise] new boat shake down.

If I had found a good deal on a carbon Fenn Elite I would own
that.  I was looking at shipping a new one from California -
which would have worked out to about $4300.   I got a good price
on a used twice V12.

For SF bay conditions I would go with the Fenn Elite or the Huki
S1X special.   I think I can paddle the S1X special in moderate
conditions, while tired, with my eyes closed - it's really comfy.
 I wouldn't go with the V12 because of the increase resistance
from the open bailer over the Elite - knowing for the US
championships you would want the bailer open a whole lot....

I'm a Fenn fan.  I own a Fenn Mako Millenium (it's obsolete - too
tippy for normal humans), a fenn mako XT and have possesion of a
fenn mako 6.

I can paddle the millenium for an hour or so, but then I get too
tired and my balance muscles are shot.  I can race it for an hour
to 2 but not more than that.  You can buy these cheap, for a
reason, only buy one if you regularly paddle a sprint boat.

The mako xt is my wifes boat.  It's a good starter boat.   I
regularly loan it out - most sea kayakers find it comfortable.
The boat was free.  The previous owner wanted it to go to a good
home, I consider this boat the official loaner.

The build on my Millenium and XT is fabulous.  I think I could
paddle straight into most kayaks and cut them in half with the
millenium.

The mako 6 is another matter.  After I borrowed it the guy I
borrowed it from said.  "I'm hopeing you don't give it back.  I
can't sell it in good concience because the gel coat keeps
flaking off"   The boat is quite light - about 24 pounds.  But as
noted the gel coat has flaked off.  I've touched it up with
marine paint, which is sticking but isn't a pretty finish.   This
boat is fun in rough water, but squirrely in flats, it also has
broached a few times on me when surfing medium sized (shoulder
height to head height from boat) waves.  I think it's tippier and
slower than the 3 boats I narrowed my decision down to

Kirk

On Monday, September 19, 2011 10:52 AM, "Duane Strosaker"
<strosaker_at_yahoo.com> wrote:

Kirk,

I've heard great things about the V12 surfski.

After searching for months, I finally found a good deal on a used
Fenn Mako Elite surfski. I'm really amazed how well designed and
built it is. I've only been on the 17" wide thing for a month and
I'm already starting to get used to the rough water and have
had a few great downwind surfing runs. It's really amazing how
well the surfskis surf the wind waves and are so much fun. I'm
dedicating the next 12 months to preparing for the US Surfski
Champs in San Francisco Bay. My weak link so far is my butt.

Before anyone asks, I am using a wing paddle with the surfski.
The main advantage I'm seeing with it is greatly added stability
in a skinny racing boat while forward stroking. But even after
using the wing a few weeks, I was more than happy to use my GP on
a 7-day island crossing and circumnav trip that I just got back
from: [1]http://duane.smugmug.com/Hobbies/cat2011/

Duane
Southern California

References

1. http://duane.smugmug.com/Hobbies/cat2011/
-- 
  Kirk Olsen
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************