On Thu, 28 Sep 2006 12:40:40 GMT, "JSB" wrote:

I am new to kayaking. On my son's advise I bought a used Valley Avocet.
I like the the boat's performance, but since I kayak alone often with few
other boats of any kind on the lake, a bit more stability would be
comforting. Also, since I load and unload it alone, a lighter boat would be
appreciated.

I am looking at a carbon-kevlar Impex Montauk. Lighter in weight. That is
nice. Reportedly a bit more secondary stability. Haven't had a chance to
demo one yet.

Opinions on the Montauk. Opinions on the Avocet vs the Montauk. Would this
trade make any sense?

I've owned a fiberglass Montauk since latish '01; used it somewhat
extensively (and mostly alone) until late '04; and the sweet young
thang has been using it since. It's a very nice boat.

I've always waited for good weather to go paddling, but a time or two
was caught out in worsening conditions, and was surprised at how
rock-solid the Montauk was. Even with waves breaking over my rear
quarter, I didn't feel the slightest bit tippy.

I only fell out of the boat once, but that was because I was goofing
off, trying to knock a board out of a tree with my paddle.

I ended up changing the backband, and the sweetie reports that the
seat is too hard, but she likes the thigh grips, and otherwise the
boat has more than adequately fulfilled the suitability for which it
was designed.

I've never paddled an Avocet.

Mike Soja