Who/What is doing the choosing?
Okay, you get a new (at least for you) kayak, and what happens? The next day you see a kayak that has just hit the market and...and you want it. It looks sleeker, faster, more stable or something. All you know is that you are already thinking about the next kayak, the perfect boat. What, I have often wondered, drives that thought behavior? Can we never be satisfied with the boat we have? And just what is it that that perfect boat offers that our present and past boats do not?
For some, I suspect, it is pure aesthetics. Just look at some of the Tahe boats, the ones that look like a Greenland Skin on Frame. Sleek, black and kind of sexy. Is that your perfect boat? You might want one even though you have never paddled it and have no idea how it behaves.
Or are you a disciple who follows the recommendation of an "export", sure that his/her boat is ideal for everyone? Or do you want an NDK boat because, well...because everyone knows they are famous and that Nigel Dennis is a legend in the kayak world?
Maybe you lust for a skin on frame. After all, the creators of our sport paddled these crafts exclusively. Must be the best boat in the world...or is it? Do you know how to maintain this kind of boat? Do you have a bomb-proof roll (ever try wet exiting a well-fitted SOF?)?
Okay, you want the longest boat on the market, right? After all, aren't they the fastest boats on the water, doesn't the length of the water line determine its hull speed? Yes...but. Can you push 18 feet of boat around for hours on end? And what about its beam? If its too wide and has too much wetted surface, how much effort will it take to horse that thing around? Or maybe you want to be able to hold seven months of supplies even though all you do are day paddles.
In the end, I can only speak for myself and what I look for in a boat. I had nearly found it in the Cetus I have: It is stable as hell, responds well to edging and sweep strokes and can be rolled with regularity. Then, I paddled the Cetus MV for a week and realized I had been pushing around a bit more boat than my body could handle well. I found that in the MV I had a boat that had less beam and rolled even more easily than its big brother. Bottom line: I found a boat in which I felt both competent and safe. And that is my ideal boat. Now, if the damn thing would only get here.
Paddle safe...
DS
11 comments:
So, how are kayaks like women?
Take a DEEP breath...Relax...everything is Iced up anyway....they are taking their time and building it right...deep breath relax....spring isn't here yet:)
Best wishes
Roy
To Alan's question, sleek, fine lines, can be tempermental at times,treat them right and they'll do right by you! I could go on, but I know that I may have put my foot in my mouth already, so I'll stop.
To Silbs, you have got to enjoy the excitement that you new boat is coming soon--I'll be you have it before you want to roll in Lake Michigan, and most likely within the next 3 - 4 weeks. Remember that patience is a virtue in man, a given in cows.
Where to start? Alan: JB made a decent stab at it. As they both get older their skins take a beating (but a kayak holds its shape). Both can have cosmetic work done. One has nice deck lines the other just nice lines. Of course, the kayak's beam doesn't get bigger with age (probably due to better bulkheads). Another thing, a kayak's top speed doesn't slow down with age (well, it does with age of the paddler). Finally, a kayak never asks if this skirt makes it look fat. Like JB, I stop before getting into trouble.
Roy: Too many deep breaths and I get dizzy. I will take a deep breath next time I set up to roll.
JB. I will go out today and talk to some cows about my situation. I do, in fact, take delicious anticipation of the boat soon arriving (possibly at Canoecopia). Enjoy and stay safe down there at Tybee Island...you dog, you.
And...a kayak doesn't get pissed off at you if you go a week without taking it out. Kayaks don't run off with other paddlers. And...never mind.
both (kayaks and women) do enjoy being caressed and laid on edge once in awhile . . .
some more than others:)
I know what you mean, and you put it in words so well.
Almost feels like waiting to meet her for the first time, after you "dated" her online for a while :-)
My new girl was met last Friday night. Swedish heritage born in Estonia. Very fine lines and a bit edgy but with a small behind.
Got her wet last Sunday with a bit of rolling in the hay, I mean, sea.
I think is becoming an x rated blog :-)
I stopped in to read about boats and suddenly I feel the need to wash my eyes with soap. LOL! You know, if you buy a new boat regularly you can enjoy that new boat anticipation and lust all the time... Now when it comes to women on the other hand...
Lust...that's the word I was looking for :-)
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