Michael_Crouse

I think Tyson's point was that a SOF also has no bulkheads so it's really no different from a safety perspective than a kids kayak like the EPI. IMO no bulkheads=no bulkheads, be that on a rec kayak, kids kayak, or sof. Float bags are good, bulkheads are better, bulkheads & float bags are best. Yes I paddled a sea kayak that had a rear bulkhead and front float bag for years and it worked fine. We can all get far too caught up with what is a "proper kayak" with all the details and quirks we think they should have. By that I mean deck lines are a must have, but a painter will work just fine. Bow toggles? Never ever use them for carrying the kayak (like you see people doing in TITS dvds) that isn't proper. Rudder you say? No way I would ever use a rudder, I want to work on my skills.... Tell that to Freya who's almost around Australia in an Epic kayak with a rudder, or to Paul Caffyn who has a rudder on his (gasp!) Nordkapp. What I'm trying to say is that any kayak that gets you out on the water is a good kayak. Can't we all just paddle?

A Perception Umiack (sp?) might work, I think it's been renamed the Carolina 12. You can find Umiacks used for $200ish. Several years ago Sea Kayaker did reviews of kids kayaks, the Umiack was the favorite. Yes all the reviewers were kids. Prijon was making a kayak called the Flipper that would probably work. Most of the "kids kayaks" Umiack, Flipper, etc.. don't have bulkheads or hatches. IMO this makes the Mystic more appealing.

I'm not a fan of bent shaft paddles since the bend is always in the same place. How can it be ergonomic if it forces everybody to space their hands the same distance apart? Are they making wing paddles with bent shafts? I would think that if bent shafts are that much better that racers would have adopted them long ago. I also can't do those Derek Hutchinson approved extended paddle things easily with a bent shaft.

This sounds like it would be great on rain jackets, those "waterproof" zippers they use now should be called "mist proof".

Don't you guys believe in backyard accu-pressure?!? I've found that going for a swim is a good cure for sea sickness. I've only been seasick once in a kayak and it was an awful experience.

Venting is perfectly healthy as long as that's not all we do! I sent in letters and contacted my State Rep every time this Bill came up before and I intend on doing that again. I agree, if the sponsors include canoes, or other boats this bill would be shot down instantly.

I agree, it's a poor bill, very vague on most details and confusing on other rules like "wet exit training, which training shall be conducted prior to a student operating a kayak unsupervised or in water deeper than 5 feet" Does this mean as long as the student is "supervised" no wet exit is needed? What does "supervised" mean, instructor 5 feet away? 20 feet away? Also no class 5 rescue vests allowed? That makes perfect sense paddlers on a river shouldn't get to wear a rescue vest that might save their lives.

Congrats!

Friends in VT and NH both had snow this morning. We've got at least a few weeks left, don't panic!

Same thing happened to my Gulfstream many years ago. 5200 fixed the problem, I also put a bit of fiberglass to hold the cable in place (under the deck). Any chance you pulled the cable out when you packed for a camping trip? I'm 99% sure that's how I pulled the cable loose on my Gulfstream.

They have both Maelstrom models in Freeport and they're both demo boats. Yes they have foam seats and foam backrests. Lincoln is under new ownership and I believe they are now the importer of Boreal kayaks. They'll have Lincoln and Boreal at the Freeport shop, all the other brands (at least for now) will be going away. That's what I was told.

Don't know if anyone here is interested in, or has heard of, Maelstrom kayaks, but Boreal Designs is now manufacturing them. I saw them at Lincoln Canoe and Kayak in Maine this weekend and they looked pretty darn sweet. Nice layup, skeg, 4 hatches (like the Cetus), they have a shallow V hull (like, Explorer, Aquanaut, etc...) but seemed to have a more rocker. Just figured I'd point out another "brit boat" option.

Does the zipper go across both legs? That seems like a long zipper! What every suit you buy please make sure it's 3 layer breathable, the 2 layer materials are not durable.

Are you planning on buying a drysuit this year or is this a someday purchase? You could look at the Kokatat Tempest dry pants, or if you wear a XXL you can buy my non breathable no relief zip bibs from me for a really good price!

The molds have been listed several times on ebay this time the price is less. As far as if they'e a good design I think the Sea Kayaker review said something like "a fast rudder dependent sea kayak"

I don't think the Q-boat never really caught on. Another NSPN member bought one and I think he sold it and is back to his Explorer. I think it's one of those love it or hate kayaks, the Romany and Explorer have been much better received. Wilson may be right that those NDK kayaks might seem a bit less lively than your current kayaks but if that's the case just take it out in bigger waves! I don't think you can go wrong with the NDK boats (the build quality discussion not withstanding - no flames please) and the only real way to find out if you like a boat is to buy it and paddle it for a year or so.

At top right of the message board area is OPTIONS, click on it and under the Display Modes choose standard view.

I found one for $800 in California, but that seems low for the kayak you're describing. I've found a lot of plastic tandems for $400 - $600 lately, Neckys, Wilderness systems, etc.... It's a guess but maybe $1500ish

GTX or Tropos?

I always thought the people who race generally don't roll. I don't mean that in a bad way, they just spend the majority of their time training and working on the forward stroke. For these folks a surf ski that weights 35lbs is probably a better choice the a racing "sea kayak" that weighs 47lbs. Part of it is also simplicity, boat? check! paddle? check? OK lets go paddle, no skirt, pump, float, etc... needed If you like the Rapier check out the Van Dusen Mohican Unlimited K-1

Hi Rick, all the articles I've read imply that he kept hiking after he hurt his ankle. He definitely left the trail after he hurt his ankle. I assume that greatly complicated the search for him. Also the state of Maine provided the helicopter for the search, perhaps they are billing NH, who in turn is billing the kid from Mass? I agree with charging for rescues in some cases. Like when a group of folks hike into the woods with 8 cases of beer and no shelter, sleeping bags, etc... But I'm not so sure about this one.

A foam seat can be very comfortable, but I also think they can inhibit your forward stroke. It's a bit easier (for me) to twist and turn on a smooth glass seat. If the glass seat isn't uncomfortable I wouldn't bother cutting it out.

Some back bands have straps to keep them in place. I wonder if you can add some? http://www.kajaksport.com/?components_eng/...ja%20selkätuet The foam solution also works well.

I too have some coaming issues, odd that we all have Shadows.... but mine is an old Foster-Rowe Shadow. Mine is coming "unglued" but is also a bit misshapen. I can't decide if I should reattach it or if I should try to make a new coaming. I think the thigh braces on my Shadow are different than the new ones.

"instructional use only" is usually reserved for boats sold to outfitters for thier rental fleets. This may have been an end of the year sale kayak from a local outfitter who sells Perception. Perhaps they should call ERBA, EMS, etc... and see if they have a record of who bought the kayak.