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Kayak's recomended!
I'm relatively new to kayaks. I have done mosly fla****er paddles of
at most 10 miles. I own a very light 28lb Kevlar Lincoln Chebegue Kayak which is comfortable but not as responsive as I'd like. I'm looking for a good tracker which, with minimum knee hanging effort will get up on it's side and turn quickly. At the same time it shoudn't be overly twitchy and have great secondary stability. Moderate cockpit for a 5'10" 175 lb paddler and 16' with a skeg. Eventually when my skills improve I intend to venture into coastal waters . To those who have been at this longer with more experience I ask which kayaks should I be looking at? Thanks, Gene |
Kayak's recomended!
Since you're already familiar with Lincoln products, I suggest that you
check out the Isle Au Haut. It's a very nice, very seaworthy boat. It's longer than your specified limit, but unless there's a specific need to keep the boat that short, you shouldn't limit yourself. |
Kayak's recomended!
"Michael Daly" wrote in
: On 1-Apr-2004, (Gene Cosloy) wrote: I'm looking for a good tracker which, with minimum knee hanging effort will get up on it's side and turn quickly. At the same time it shoudn't be overly twitchy and have great secondary stability. Moderate cockpit for a 5'10" 175 lb paddler and 16' with a skeg. Is there a reason you are limiting it to 16'? Ignoring the length limit, there are many in this category - Boreal Designs Ellesmere, NDK Romany and Explorer, VCP Pintail and Anas Acuta, Necky Chatham, WS Tempest, Nigel Foster's designs... Good list but you forgot to mention tne VCP boat that *is* 16'; the Avocet. It's also worth mentioning that the two Nigel Foster models that are 16' (Rumour and Echo) *are* quite twitchy. Doesn't the Eddyline Nighthawk come equipped with a skeg? That might be a good addition to the list. I'd also add the P&H Capella and Vela (which is actually less than 16' long). If you're going to include 18' long boats on the list you might as well add the Current Designs Caribou. Find a good dealer and try them out. A kayak symposium is also a good way to check out and compare a lot of kayaks. Mike |
Kayak's recomended!
I notice that no one mentions Wilderness Systems. Any reason?
"John Fereira" wrote in message .. . "Michael Daly" wrote in : On 1-Apr-2004, (Gene Cosloy) wrote: I'm looking for a good tracker which, with minimum knee hanging effort will get up on it's side and turn quickly. At the same time it shoudn't be overly twitchy and have great secondary stability. Moderate cockpit for a 5'10" 175 lb paddler and 16' with a skeg. Is there a reason you are limiting it to 16'? Ignoring the length limit, there are many in this category - Boreal Designs Ellesmere, NDK Romany and Explorer, VCP Pintail and Anas Acuta, Necky Chatham, WS Tempest, Nigel Foster's designs... Good list but you forgot to mention tne VCP boat that *is* 16'; the Avocet. It's also worth mentioning that the two Nigel Foster models that are 16' (Rumour and Echo) *are* quite twitchy. Doesn't the Eddyline Nighthawk come equipped with a skeg? That might be a good addition to the list. I'd also add the P&H Capella and Vela (which is actually less than 16' long). If you're going to include 18' long boats on the list you might as well add the Current Designs Caribou. Find a good dealer and try them out. A kayak symposium is also a good way to check out and compare a lot of kayaks. Mike |
Kayak's recomended!
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Kayak's recomended!
Brian Nystrom wrote in message ...
Since you're already familiar with Lincoln products, I suggest that you check out the Isle Au Haut. It's a very nice, very seaworthy boat. It's longer than your specified limit, but unless there's a specific need to keep the boat that short, you shouldn't limit yourself. Thanks for the input. Actually 16' was not a limit as much as a reflection of my lack of knowledge. I just assummed that the longer the boat, particularly with no rocker, the less maneuverable. My other criteria is light as possible. Longer boats tend to be heavier. Gene |
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John Fereira wrote:
That sounds like something that I would write except that the FR Rumour and CD Slipstream do, IMHO, have excessively low initial stability. In the Rumour especially I never felt comfortable sitting still unless I had a paddle ready for a brace. Once it was moving it was a sweet boat to paddle though. There's no comparison between these two boats. I find the Slipstream comfortably stable, but my girlfriend's rumour is positively scary. Even for someone her size (5'2", 115#) and quite skilled, it's a challenging boat to paddle. She likes it, but comes home much more tired after paddling it than with her other boats. |
Kayak's recomended!
Gene Cosloy wrote: Brian Nystrom wrote in message ... Since you're already familiar with Lincoln products, I suggest that you check out the Isle Au Haut. It's a very nice, very seaworthy boat. It's longer than your specified limit, but unless there's a specific need to keep the boat that short, you shouldn't limit yourself. Thanks for the input. Actually 16' was not a limit as much as a reflection of my lack of knowledge. I just assummed that the longer the boat, particularly with no rocker, the less maneuverable. My other criteria is light as possible. Longer boats tend to be heavier. Maneuverability is a function of design. There are some long boats that are quite maneuverable. I would rate the Isle au Haut and moderately maneuverable, that is, well balanced between maneuverability and tracking. As you know, all the Lincoln boats are light weight. |
Kayak's recomended!
John Fereira wrote in message ...
"Michael Daly" wrote in : On 1-Apr-2004, (Gene Cosloy) wrote: I'm looking for a good tracker which, with minimum knee hanging effort will get up on it's side and turn quickly. At the same time it shoudn't be overly twitchy and have great secondary stability. Moderate cockpit for a 5'10" 175 lb paddler and 16' with a skeg. Is there a reason you are limiting it to 16'? Ignoring the length limit, there are many in this category - Boreal Designs Ellesmere, NDK Romany and Explorer, VCP Pintail and Anas Acuta, Necky Chatham, WS Tempest, Nigel Foster's designs... Actually I have a good dealer in my area where I intend to try out: WS Tempest, NF Legend, and CD Caribou and Gulfstream. The new Necky Chatham won't be available until May. All they have is plastic which I'm told does not perform the same as the composite version. Will report back next week. Gene Good list but you forgot to mention tne VCP boat that *is* 16'; the Avocet. It's also worth mentioning that the two Nigel Foster models that are 16' (Rumour and Echo) *are* quite twitchy. Doesn't the Eddyline Nighthawk come equipped with a skeg? That might be a good addition to the list. I'd also add the P&H Capella and Vela (which is actually less than 16' long). If you're going to include 18' long boats on the list you might as well add the Current Designs Caribou. Find a good dealer and try them out. A kayak symposium is also a good way to check out and compare a lot of kayaks. Mike |
Kayak's recomended!
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Kayak's recomended!
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Kayak's recomended!
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Kayak's recomended!
"Michael Daly" wrote in
: The Explorer is everything _except_ a fast kayak. One of the best all- round kayaks out there. Check out the Boreal Designs Ellemere as well if you like the Explorer. I've heard many compare the Ellsemere to the Caribou too. It has an aggressively molded seat so if it fits the shape of your butt it's going to be real comfortable. So where I sit now it's either the Caribou S, a smaller Gulfstream if that exists Slipstream - but that may be tippy for someone your size. There's also an Andromeda, but I found that to be a dreadful kayak. At a symposium last year a few people were talking about the Andromeda and someone said that even Current Designs admits the Andromeda was a mistake. Try the Skerray - I find it roughly similar to a Gulfstream based on a short paddle. John F. will no doubt be able to point out the differences much better than I. However, I think the Skerray is worth checking out if you like the Gulfstream. Doh! Why didn't I think of the Skerray? Perhaps because mine has a Ocean cockpit that I knew he wouldn't like. The Skerray likely would be a good one to try. It's got real nice initial stability, is very responsive but a bit faster than a Romany or Avocet. I've had mine for 6 years or so and have since built two higher performance boats. Every once in awhile I think about selling the Skerray but then I get in an paddle it and get reminded how much fun that boat is to paddle. |
Kayak's recomended!
Hey
John Fereira wrote: At a symposium last year a few people were talking about the Andromeda and someone said that even Current Designs admits the Andromeda was a mistake. I'm curious. Could you give us some details on the problems with the Andromeda? I've noticed that the boat has an exceptional large amount of rocker. Perhaps that's what Hutchinson considers a romantic boat. Paddler - Jan/Feb 2002: Paddler: What's the best new technological innovation in the sport? Hutchinson: There haven't really been any in the last ten years. It's a shame about boat designs, though. A lot of the new boats are functional - they'll all float - but they look like a bucket of squashed frogs. It seems the designers have no romance in their soul at all. -- Peter Unold- http://www.unold.dk/paddling |
Kayak's recomended!
"Michael Daly" wrote in message ... On 14-Apr-2004, (Gene Cosloy) wrote: Impex Susquehanna: Before you get excited about Impex and a few other similar kayaks, push on the hull with your finger and compare that to other kayaks. These are lightly built kayaks and that's why the price is lower. Hi Michael, I'm curious about Impex kayaks. The Currituck and Assatigue are on my list of boats to demo (I'm kind of on the fence between these two size-wise). It would be a days drive to get to a dealer that has demos of these kayaks as well as others I'm interested in. I have heard good feedback from Impex owners and others that have tried them out. Have you heard or seen first hand any failures of the deck layups by this manufacturer? I tend to follow the old adage "if it doesn't bend a little, it will probably break". What about the hulls? What's your impression of the layup there? Looking at the prices on some dealer web sites, the Currituck is $2550 in glass. The Caribou, Gulfstream, and Slipstream are $2595, The endeavor $2830 and the Arctic Hawk is just $2200. That doesn't appear to me that the Impex model is lower in price to the point that it would suggest that they are skimping on material. Many of the kayaks I'm interested in are right here in town but the Impex, which look good in print are far away. I value your opinion so please let me know if you have seen actual problems with these boats delaminating or cracking. I'd like to save myself a dissapointing road trip if possible. Thanks a bunch. Dave |
Kayak's recomended!
On 15-Apr-2004, Peter Unold wrote:
I'm curious. Could you give us some details on the problems with the Andromeda? I've noticed that the boat has an exceptional large amount of rocker. Perhaps that's what Hutchinson considers a romantic boat. If it has a lot of rocker, I didn't notice it in paddling. That kayak is very tippy and very unresponsive. I felt like I was sitting inside a log. If you're going to make a kayak tippy, you've got to give me something in return - like handling. The Andromeda is one of the lamest Kayaks I've ever paddled. They made it long, but it isn't particularly fast. Secondary stability feels like its barely there. Mediocre response to carving. Before it was released, Mike Henderson of Current Designs told me about this great new kayak they were developing. Long and fast, responsive etc. I looked forward to paddling it and it was a big disappointment. It took the dealer over a year to sell the one I test paddled. I'm sure you can find folks who like the Andromeda, but with so many good kayaks on the market, get something else. Mike |
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On 15-Apr-2004, "Dave Van" wrote:
I'm curious about Impex kayaks. The Currituck and Assatigue are on my list of boats to demo (I'm kind of on the fence between these two size-wise). It would be a days drive to get to a dealer that has demos of these kayaks as well as others I'm interested in. I have heard good feedback from Impex owners and others that have tried them out. So have I - they're quite popular around here. Have you heard or seen first hand any failures of the deck layups by this manufacturer? I tend to follow the old adage "if it doesn't bend a little, it will probably break". What about the hulls? What's your impression of the layup there? No specific examples of damage, but even one of the dealers here has said they are lightly built and "you get what you pay for". They don't bend a little, they bend a lot and that's both deck and hull. I just don't trust them - I'd rather buy a more robust kayak. YMMV prices on some dealer web sites, the Currituck is $2550 in glass. The Caribou, Gulfstream, and Slipstream are $2595, The endeavor $2830 and the Arctic Hawk is just $2200. That doesn't appear to me that the Impex model is lower in price to the point that it would suggest that they are skimping on material. Compare to Canadian prices: C$ US$ Serenity Sport $2700 $2400 (can't find the Currituck price in Canada) Caribou S $3450 $2600 Gulfstream $3400 $2600 Slipstream $3400 $2600 Endeavour $3600 $2800 Arctic Hawk $?? $2200 Big difference here. I find it interesting to compare US and Cdn pricing on kayaks, since US kayakers were getting ripped off on some models. This was especially true when the US dollar was very high in value. So here, the Impex models (sold under the Formula name) are much cheaper than the big boys and the difference shows. NOTE: it is possible that the US models are better built by Impex than the Formula models made here. I'll leave that to you to verify. Mike |
Kayak's recomended!
"Michael Daly" wrote in message ... On 15-Apr-2004, "Dave Van" wrote: I'm curious about Impex kayaks. The Currituck and Assatigue are on my list of boats to demo (I'm kind of on the fence between these two size-wise). It would be a days drive to get to a dealer that has demos of these kayaks as well as others I'm interested in. I have heard good feedback from Impex owners and others that have tried them out. So have I - they're quite popular around here. Have you heard or seen first hand any failures of the deck layups by this manufacturer? I tend to follow the old adage "if it doesn't bend a little, it will probably break". What about the hulls? What's your impression of the layup there? No specific examples of damage, but even one of the dealers here has said they are lightly built and "you get what you pay for". They don't bend a little, they bend a lot and that's both deck and hull. I just don't trust them - I'd rather buy a more robust kayak. YMMV prices on some dealer web sites, the Currituck is $2550 in glass. The Caribou, Gulfstream, and Slipstream are $2595, The endeavor $2830 and the Arctic Hawk is just $2200. That doesn't appear to me that the Impex model is lower in price to the point that it would suggest that they are skimping on material. Compare to Canadian prices: C$ US$ Serenity Sport $2700 $2400 (can't find the Currituck price in Canada) Caribou S $3450 $2600 Gulfstream $3400 $2600 Slipstream $3400 $2600 Endeavour $3600 $2800 Arctic Hawk $?? $2200 Odd... Big difference here. I find it interesting to compare US and Cdn pricing on kayaks, since US kayakers were getting ripped off on some models. This was especially true when the US dollar was very high in value. So here, the Impex models (sold under the Formula name) are much cheaper than the big boys and the difference shows. NOTE: it is possible that the US models are better built by Impex than the Formula models made here. I'll leave that to you to verify. Mike Thanks, Mike. Sounds like there may be some differences in the ones local to you vs. the ones here in the US. I suppose I could make the trip and find out that the seat is uncomfortable for me or the thigh braces don't hit me in the right spot or that the hull seeems too flexible. Either way, it's a more informed decision by seeing it in person as well as considering your educated observations. I was most intrigued by the positive review that the Currituck received from Steve Sherrer who mentioned a few negatives about the taughtness of the safety lines and looseness of the deck rigging, both of which could be adjusted easily. Steve's Tempest is on my short list as well. Thanks again. Lot's to think about. Enjoy! DV |
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I've got an Endeavor and would take it over a Currituck any day. I found
the Impex felt cheap and was too tippy for the handling. The Endeavor is rock solid in terms of build quality and I find it very responsive. I've banged my Endeavor up a bit and like an old timex it keeps on ticking. Besides the Seaward people will let you put just about any color combination you can think of on the thing:) Dave Van wrote: "Michael Daly" wrote in message ... On 15-Apr-2004, "Dave Van" wrote: I'm curious about Impex kayaks. The Currituck and Assatigue are on my list of boats to demo (I'm kind of on the fence between these two size-wise). It would be a days drive to get to a dealer that has demos of these kayaks as well as others I'm interested in. I have heard good feedback from Impex owners and others that have tried them out. So have I - they're quite popular around here. Have you heard or seen first hand any failures of the deck layups by this manufacturer? I tend to follow the old adage "if it doesn't bend a little, it will probably break". What about the hulls? What's your impression of the layup there? No specific examples of damage, but even one of the dealers here has said they are lightly built and "you get what you pay for". They don't bend a little, they bend a lot and that's both deck and hull. I just don't trust them - I'd rather buy a more robust kayak. YMMV prices on some dealer web sites, the Currituck is $2550 in glass. The Caribou, Gulfstream, and Slipstream are $2595, The endeavor $2830 and the Arctic Hawk is just $2200. That doesn't appear to me that the Impex model is lower in price to the point that it would suggest that they are skimping on material. Compare to Canadian prices: C$ US$ Serenity Sport $2700 $2400 (can't find the Currituck price in Canada) Caribou S $3450 $2600 Gulfstream $3400 $2600 Slipstream $3400 $2600 Endeavour $3600 $2800 Arctic Hawk $?? $2200 Odd... Big difference here. I find it interesting to compare US and Cdn pricing on kayaks, since US kayakers were getting ripped off on some models. This was especially true when the US dollar was very high in value. So here, the Impex models (sold under the Formula name) are much cheaper than the big boys and the difference shows. NOTE: it is possible that the US models are better built by Impex than the Formula models made here. I'll leave that to you to verify. Mike Thanks, Mike. Sounds like there may be some differences in the ones local to you vs. the ones here in the US. I suppose I could make the trip and find out that the seat is uncomfortable for me or the thigh braces don't hit me in the right spot or that the hull seeems too flexible. Either way, it's a more informed decision by seeing it in person as well as considering your educated observations. I was most intrigued by the positive review that the Currituck received from Steve Sherrer who mentioned a few negatives about the taughtness of the safety lines and looseness of the deck rigging, both of which could be adjusted easily. Steve's Tempest is on my short list as well. Thanks again. Lot's to think about. Enjoy! DV |
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Hi
"Michael Daly" wrote: If it has a lot of rocker, I didn't notice it in paddling. That kayak is very tippy and very unresponsive. I got the numbers from the SK review: Length: 5.26m Waterline length with 68kg paddler: 4.19m That's one rockered boat. [...] The Andromeda is one of the lamest Kayaks I've ever paddled. Puts the SK reviews in a different perspective... -- Peter Unold- http://www.unold.dk/paddling |
Kayak's recomended!
Peter Unold wrote in
: Hey John Fereira wrote: At a symposium last year a few people were talking about the Andromeda and someone said that even Current Designs admits the Andromeda was a mistake. I'm curious. Could you give us some details on the problems with the Andromeda? I've never paddled one. I'm just reporting what I heard others say about it. I've noticed that the boat has an exceptional large amount of rocker. Perhaps that's what Hutchinson considers a romantic boat. Hard to say. My take on the answer below is that his romance analogy was more in reference to how a boat looked (i.e. whether it had sexy lines) and really nothing to do with how much rocker it had. Paddler - Jan/Feb 2002: Paddler: What's the best new technological innovation in the sport? Hutchinson: There haven't really been any in the last ten years. It's a shame about boat designs, though. A lot of the new boats are functional - they'll all float - but they look like a bucket of squashed frogs. It seems the designers have no romance in their soul at all. |
Kayak's recomended!
John Fereira wrote in message ...
"Michael Daly" wrote in : The Explorer is everything _except_ a fast kayak. One of the best all- round kayaks out there. Check out the Boreal Designs Ellemere as well if you like the Explorer. I've heard many compare the Ellsemere to the Caribou too. It has an aggressively molded seat so if it fits the shape of your butt it's going to be real comfortable. I found a dealer in Plymouth, MA who has Ellsemere and Surge Marine. His demo spot is on a large inland lake. Patriots's Day in MA there were up to 40 mi/hr gusts and strong chop on the lake. I asked the dealer which boat was more stable and when he replied Surge decided to demo it even though I had come down for the Ellesmere. The dock and lake were roiling and I had not a little fear in my heart when I pulled away. The Surge knifed through the chop nicely and didn't seem to mind the wind. I wasn't brave enough to try edging under the conditions and after less than 15 backed it into the dock and was happy to be off the water. While I announced to my host that I didn't think I was up for any more demoing today he suggested I at least sit in the Ellesmere. That was enough for me, unless I was interested in strong prostate stimulation along with my paddling, I did not like that seat with the raised prostate bumb in the middle. What were those Quebec folks thinking? Speaking of seats, the next day I spent an hour in a WS Tempest 170 pro. More tractable conditions up to 20 Mi /hr gusts and some current on the Charles river. I found the seat and outfitting to be most impressive and comfortable. the boat however was more affected by wind than I would have liked and I found myself employing the skeg a lot going downwind and even needed it going upwind occassionally. Stability seemed excellent . Well I won't buy a boat just because I like the seat, but I won't buy a boat either which has a seat I hate. I'm thinking now that maybe I'd be better off spending all this time demoing other boats on paddling my own boat and trying to improve my skills. After all how can you appreciate what a performance boat has to offer if you're not willing to push it. thanks to all who have responded. I value your opinions.----Cheers Gene So where I sit now it's either the Caribou S, a smaller Gulfstream if that exists Slipstream - but that may be tippy for someone your size. There's also an Andromeda, but I found that to be a dreadful kayak. At a symposium last year a few people were talking about the Andromeda and someone said that even Current Designs admits the Andromeda was a mistake. Try the Skerray - I find it roughly similar to a Gulfstream based on a short paddle. John F. will no doubt be able to point out the differences much better than I. However, I think the Skerray is worth checking out if you like the Gulfstream. Doh! Why didn't I think of the Skerray? Perhaps because mine has a Ocean cockpit that I knew he wouldn't like. The Skerray likely would be a good one to try. It's got real nice initial stability, is very responsive but a bit faster than a Romany or Avocet. I've had mine for 6 years or so and have since built two higher performance boats. Every once in awhile I think about selling the Skerray but then I get in an paddle it and get reminded how much fun that boat is to paddle. |
Kayak's recomended!
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Kayak's recomended!
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Kayak's recomended!
John Fereira wrote in message ...
(Gene Cosloy) wrote in m: John Fereira wrote in message ... "Michael Daly" wrote in : The Explorer is everything _except_ a fast kayak. One of the best all- round kayaks out there. Check out the Boreal Designs Ellemere as well if you like the Explorer. I've heard many compare the Ellsemere to the Caribou too. It has an aggressively molded seat so if it fits the shape of your butt it's going to be real comfortable. I found a dealer in Plymouth, MA who has Ellsemere and Surge Marine. His demo spot is on a large inland lake. Patriots's Day in MA there were up to 40 mi/hr gusts and strong chop on the lake. I asked the dealer which boat was more stable and when he replied Surge decided to demo it even though I had come down for the Ellesmere. The dock and lake were roiling and I had not a little fear in my heart when I pulled away. The Surge knifed through the chop nicely and didn't seem to mind the wind. I wasn't brave enough to try edging under the conditions and after less than 15 backed it into the dock and was happy to be off the water. While I announced to my host that I didn't think I was up for any more demoing today he suggested I at least sit in the Ellesmere. That was enough for me, unless I was interested in strong prostate stimulation along with my paddling, I did not like that seat with the raised prostate bumb in the middle. What were those Quebec folks thinking? As I said, some people like it, some people don't. The seat in the Ellsemere is certainly different from any other boat I've seen. Speaking of seats, the next day I spent an hour in a WS Tempest 170 pro. I've heard very good things about the seats in the new Necky boats and I've always been a fan of the Looksha IV and definitely want to give their new Chathams a try. Well I won't buy a boat just because I like the seat, but I won't buy a boat either which has a seat I hate. At least in the latter case, if you don't like the seat it's not that difficult to modify it or remove it entirely and replace it was a carved closed cell foam seat (what I've got in all of my boats). That's one of the reasons I've always liked the seats in the Seaward boats. They're *very* basic, which makes them easier to modify or replace with closed cell foam. I'm thinking now that maybe I'd be better off spending all this time demoing other boats on paddling my own boat and trying to improve my skills. After all how can you appreciate what a performance boat has to offer if you're not willing to push it. Perhaps an intermediate/advanced lesson makes sense or head up to the Kayak symposium in Castine, Maine this summer where you can take an advance lesson *and* demo more boats than you could paddle in a weekend. If you did something like that you'd have a very good idea what you'd want for next year. Sounds like a good plan, unfortunately almost all the symposiums and demo days being scheduled are for the 99% of the population that has the weekends free. My free days are Mon. & tues. For that reason I'm really grateful that Charles River Canoe & Kayak will let you demo any day. the downside is it's on the Charles river, so without a dood deal of bluster and chop you really can't get a sense of how the boat will perform in salt water. I've come down now to two boats that i could be very happy with: the Tempest 170Pro and the P&H Quest. Anyone have any thoughts or comments about the Quest. I thought it was lively i.e. moderate primary, easy to edge but stable as you approached putting the cockpit in the water, quite fast, no tendency to weather cock, terrific cockpit for me, plenty of room for size 12 feet, and not exactly a boat that turns sharply. I'd like to know if others have tried it particularly in salt water. It seemed similar to the NDK Explorer? Gene |
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Yeah, the Ellesmere seat was a killer for me as well. So, I yanked it out
and essentially duplicated the seat in minicell foam leaving the hump only way forward. Now, it's very comfortable and I really enjoy the boat. "Michael Daly" wrote in message ... On 24-Apr-2004, (Gene Cosloy) wrote: Ellesmere. That was enough for me, unless I was interested in strong prostate stimulation along with my paddling, I did not like that seat with the raised prostate bumb in the middle. What were those Quebec folks thinking? For me, it's the most comfortable seat I've ever sat in. Sounds like you're too big for the seat. Either that or you're pushing your hips forward. Remember that proper paddling posture means that you spine is relatively straight and your shoulders are above or barely forward of your hips. No slouching and no leaning against the backrest. A friend of mine ordered an Ellesmere with a bumpless seat. Boreal Designs simply filled the mold at the front and made a seat that has the curves everywhere but with the bump flattened out. Mike |
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"news" wrote in
: Yeah, the Ellesmere seat was a killer for me as well. So, I yanked it out and essentially duplicated the seat in minicell foam leaving the hump only way forward. Now, it's very comfortable and I really enjoy the boat. Interesting idea. I've seen a couple of articles around on how to build a fiberglass seat (Ross Liedy's site had a good description). One could make a mould from the original seat, modify it slightly so that it doesn't have that bump, and then lay up a new seat. One of the articles I read described creating the mold for a seat by sitting in a box of sand covered with thin plastic. That way you can create a seat that fits your body perfectly. |
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"John Fereira" wrote...
Yeah, the Ellesmere seat was a killer for me as well. So, I yanked it out and essentially duplicated the seat in minicell foam Interesting idea. I've seen a couple of articles around on how to build a fiberglass seat (Ross Liedy's site had a good description). One could make a mould from the original seat, modify it slightly so that it doesn't have that bump, and then lay up a new seat. One of the articles I read described creating the mold for a seat by sitting in a box of sand covered with thin plastic. That way you can create a seat that fits your body perfectly. A Thermarest pad works just fine for me! Relatively inexpensive, adjustable, and low in the hull! A couple squares of Velcro hold it in... |
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"John R Weiss" wrote in
news:9u9mc.28325$IG1.1221001@attbi_s04: "John Fereira" wrote... Yeah, the Ellesmere seat was a killer for me as well. So, I yanked it out and essentially duplicated the seat in minicell foam Interesting idea. I've seen a couple of articles around on how to build a fiberglass seat (Ross Liedy's site had a good description). One could make a mould from the original seat, modify it slightly so that it doesn't have that bump, and then lay up a new seat. One of the articles I read described creating the mold for a seat by sitting in a box of sand covered with thin plastic. That way you can create a seat that fits your body perfectly. A Thermarest pad works just fine for me! Relatively inexpensive, adjustable, and low in the hull! A couple squares of Velcro hold it in... A thermarest pad provides no back, thigh, or hip support. If you want good body to boat contact (which you would if you want good control) you're still going to need some kind of back band and padded cheek plates. In some cases, a thermarest might be *too* low in the hull, giving too much initial stability. I once paddled a Guillemot that was not quite finished that was outfitted with only a thin sleeping pad. I practically had to come out the seat to get the boat on edge and the Guillemot is only 20" wide. |
Kayak's recomended!
"John Fereira" wrote...
A thermarest pad provides no back, thigh, or hip support. If you want good body to boat contact (which you would if you want good control) you're still going to need some kind of back band and padded cheek plates. True. The kayak is wood, and the backband wraps around from cheekplates between the coaming and hull bottom. There is enough adjustment available in the backband to accommodate personal preferences. |
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