ThomasL

I've been reading up on the Warren 15'5". Seems like the elevated price might be a little "much" for 20 some pounds of carbon fiber coated with automotive paint and clear coat! Has anyone paddled a Warren. Their plant is only a short drive to Salem Ma. and I might get over there just to see what $4000+ buys.

Still have one of those from Boy Scout days.LOL

Thank You for your well thought reply. I am trying to be realistic about my paddling future, and hoisting any of the boats up top of my pickup, though a chore, it is not too difficult. I just worry about a sudden gust combined with my inability to hold on tightly. Still sinking another wad of cash into a 4th boat is likely folly when my actual capacity to regularly enjoy the sport is taken into consideration. Got my two boys interested and want to enjoy their company on the water. The eldest is hot to get into one of those sailing Hobie tandem rigs weighing well over 100lbs rigged. They call it a kayak! The videos of it in action look to wet and cold to me in any case. Time, opportunity and the cash in my pocket will decide. I've got a couple of the carts and they do work fine. Tom

Lisa, A Surge appears to be both light and rugged(relatively rugged) when compared to the competition. I'm 5'10" and of average build weighing about 185. Will a Surge be reasonably comfortable for day touring ,less than 10 hours on the water? Also, with the limited production are any available? I'm not into tying up that kind of cash for many months. Have not spoke to anyone at Billington, but their online info indicates the Surge is a special order item. Tom

I bought(received for Xmas) a 70P compass for installation on my p&h which has a place moulded into the foredeck specifically for the unit. When I looked at the boat and the position of the compass indentation it occurred to me that with my 65 yr old eyes and bifocals it may end up being a simple ornament and added weight.LOL Thank God for the hand held GPS with a compass function!

Guys and Gals, I love my Quest and it meets all my needs except one. I'm 65 now and having worked with my body and hands for all the working years, I have, as they say, "lost my grip". I'm more than capable of hoisting any of my boats including a rather weighty 17 foot canoe, but my reduced grip strength and the discomfort involved in utilizing it keeps me from just lifting and walking to the water. Helen's little 13' Walden is about right, but I find it a bit uncomfortable in even moderately choppy conditions. Since I enjoy solo excursions I need a sea worthy boat of around 40lbs. I have the nifty carts with high flotation tires etc, but miss the old days when I simply picked it up and walked. Searching the net I find that there all sorts of super light "racing/sprint" boats that don't even see the need for a skirt, and do not look like what I would feel comfortable in less than dead flat water. I'm looking for a sea boat suitable for day touring. Expedition storage capacity is of no concern as I have the Quest, but I want something that takes a skirt and has sufficient length/wetted surface to allow for easy long distance cruising. Any suggestions I will appreciate. There are too darn many boats out there!! Tom

Responding Members, Thanks to You all. For an old enthusiast, not up to speed, your advice is often invaluable. It will no doubt keep my boys, myself and Helen safe out there. I will get a chart or two to keep us properly orientated. I have the dry suit, storm hood, insulated paddling gloves, extreme skirt etc, but think waiting until March when I'll have company is advisable. Love this sport/activity. Took me 40+ years to arrive. Tom

Hi, I am currently seeking water proof/resistant marine navigation charts of Massachusetts thru Maine suitable for kayak on water use. A bit of Google shows me that there is a very large number of options available. I try to picture myself in a medium swell with a paddle flopping about and GPS strapped to the fore deck and wonder if on water charts are a viable option for this kayak enthusiast?! I'm mostly into day trips, often solo, of 8 hours or less, always within sight of the coast. Are charts redundant/overkill, and if not are there any available that are realistically usable and worth taking along in my circumstances ? Tom

As a "newbie" I can't tell all of you folks how informative the info you provide in this forum is! Thanks to you I got the boat that suits me, suitable additional safety gear, a dry suit, fleece undergarments, etc. As a "somewhat senior" I'm not sure the cold weather equipment will see use very soon, but your insights in this topic have further clarified my direction as to gloves, headgear, etc. After 40+ years on the water in warm conditions,and some years in the military, I am not inclined to get too involved in the somewhat regimented atmosphere surrounding NSP, but very much enjoy and appreciate the knowledge of your experience. Thanks, Tom

I certainly hope Mr. Coombs was well payed!

Bought a new boat. Not a "winner", but my wife likes it, and being a rotomoulded type I will not feel the pain running it upon the rocks that is experienced with my (almost) unscarred Quest. With the unexciting badge of Walden, made of partially recycled materials, I plan to enjoy the boat. IInstalled the rudder today, and wish it were a skeg. ( I did by the way install a skeg on my 40 yr old glass"lake/white water" Foloboat, and the difference is unbelievable!! All those years of thrashing around, and now the boat goes straight in waves and current. Buying the Quest was an educational experience!) I am looking fwd to the group paddle on the 25th. Hope You guys have patience with a less than informed, educated "Old Fart". I'm quite happy doing the sunny stuff with my family, but must confess I picked up a dry suit with the Walden boat....It is advertised as a "light touring craft".... It is only 13'2', and even thinner in beam(19") than the quest. I definitely should have availed myself to the roll and rescue opportunities in Hamilton this summer! There is always next year! By the way, New Engalnd Watercraft in Rowley is giving the boats away(He's moving, and hates the effort) Soon he will be 100% Hobie, and wants the sea boats GONE! Tom

The level of knowledge available from active members of this club can be intimidating, and perhaps even a bit discouraging to a new paddler. Read and and learn. I have been involved in kayaking for 40 + years, but in a few months this group has given me new insight and awareness. Just remember that kayaking is 1st a lot of fun, but especially in the unpredictable ocean can be very hazardous. Get involved with the group and choose your own level of involvement.

Wonder if the poor fellow went out alone?! Not a good decision even made by a fellow "old guy". Tom

I'll get it done guys. Have floundered about many times re entering all sorts of watercraft. Right now, after quite a few outings in the Quest with wife and two of my three children....I'm momentarily "kayaked out". LOL Besides I'm currently patching the glass damage inflicted on my old boat by #2 son yesterday. It's taking some time. Not enough hardener in the mix, I think. Tom

No, but because of the warnings by some that the straddle approach was not possible with the Quest I did in fact pick up a paddle float. Have yet to attempt a wet recovery with the boat. Tom

John and I took the boats out today from Pavilion. Lots of traffic crossing the channels and the interesting water someone mentioned returning across the shoals against the tide. Thanks to the mild conditions I was able to play with the new boat, and I do like it very much. Initially it felt unstable, but as the afternoon progressed I realized it is a very predictable craft, and the secret is leaning into the turns. A little water over the spray skirt hurts nothing and makes the turns happen. Love the skeg! kept it deployed untill the last minute when riding the minimal "swells into the beach at Cranes. All the advice received from members concerning the Quest has and will continue to be helpful. Doing a little "toot" around Providence Harbor with #2 son Mark on Wednesday.

Thanks for the warnings and reports. Last night when I mentioned the "straddling" cowboy approach to re entering a wet boat I was basing my statements primarily on canoe work in the Great Lakes in less than extreme conditions. Also, having celebrated my 65th a day late I had more that a couple Merlots under my belt. In my 1st two outings I have noticed the "tippy" nature of the Quest unloaded, and surfing a roller in which is not difficult with my 16' whitewater hull definitely would/will require a lot more muscle and nerve with the new boat. My son John wants to try the Quest on either the out or return leg of the trip, and in the back of my mind I have been trying to see how to set things up so that he is aboard the old boat when and if difficulties arise. I plan to load the Quest heavy and paddle with a spray skirt securely in place(no matter how warm it is). If the wind or sea is up, even in the slightest we will stay inside and do the bird sanctuary green heads and all. I'm not stupid, and have been doing this a lot of years here and in the Pacific. Had some dicy close calls, but no unsurmountable difficulties. I am a fair weather calm water type of guy. And judging by some of your profile pictures, much less of a risk taker than many of You. Thanks again. I'm careful and timid, Tom

All the paddle recovery stuff seems a bit overly technical. I have never had too much difficulty simply straddling the hull and working myself up into the cockpit. Being somewhat submerged the boat is relatively easy to re enter. Anyway, John and I are both strong swimmers and know that staring with the boat is a must. You guys are the best! Tom

Thanks Bob. We will be sure to check tides and weather carefully and watch for the potential hazards you point out Tom

Doing another "outing" with #1 son this Sunday. I have become very fond of the soft launch at Pavilion in Ipswich as it puts minimum abrasion on the hull of my new Quest. Son John is over 6 ft and 200, so he may reside in that boat. I'd like to try for Essex and back in a day trip. Lately the seas have been very light, and if that condition exists on Sunday is the round trip doable in a day(with a quick stop for a plate of clams)? Neither of us have any issues concerning endurance/persistence, but Cranes is 8 miles long, and even staying in close in good weather....we are not Navy Seals. Also, on Wednesday #2 son and I have a paddle planned in Rhode Island. I used to do Tiverton to the USS Massachusetts and back in a day. Any suggestions as to put ins in RI? Guess I'm "pumping" you guys! Tom

Hi, Took the Quest out of Ipswich this morning and did notice some of the tendencies(turning,instability) when I took it outside the 1st thing. The thought that I would have not felt too comfortable in it on the choppy trip to Misery last week immediately entered my head, and I'm glad that I picked up a spray skirt for the boat. I'm used to a very stable, very dry glass boat produced for the Foloboat company by a white water kayak outfit. Just the same, after about 45 minutes in the mild seas I felt more confident in the Quest. It goes where it is pointed, and gets there quickly with minimum effort. Inside on flat water it is a joy effortlessly dealing with tidal currents etc and covers distance much faster than what I am used to. I will have to work on my turning and at one point I thought maybe rudder would have been a nice addition. The boat is longer than what I am used to. I am mostly a point A to point B kind of guy and enjoy the exercise and don't plan to do much "carving" or surfing, so I will adjust and think of the boat as a kind of thoroughbred. It is a classy ride, and two young ladies commented on how nice it looked at the beach.LOL A positive attribute in the eyes of a graying citizen! Thanks for the input guys. It is very good to have my impressions of the boat confirmed by folks in the know. Tom

Well Guys and Gals, I made the purchase! Glad I listened and did not jump on the Point that looked so good on the rack at REI. This morning I drove over to Charles River and wandered about checking out the hulls. Suz had suggested P&H and I found myself drawn to a plastic Capella. It was not obviously for sale, and not being very impressed by the less than businesslike atmosphere I left with new knowledge of what is available after a 2nd tour of the inventory. Not anxious to make the trek to Concord NH I next visited New England Small Craft in Rowley. As soon as I walked in I had the feeling this was my place, and it was. Thanks for the suggestion Pintail. Anyway, the proprietor was outside so wandering to the back room I found an adequate assortment of sea boats. My eye kept going to a Quest on one of the horizontal racks. I looked at the purple Capella outside, and though I suspect it could have been had cheap...PURPLE!! Anyway I bought the 2005 Quest on the rack for a substantial discount within my budget. It was returned by a guy that bought it prior to joint replacement surgery intending to use it for post op therapy(that the story anyway), and put on tons of weight after the operation making the 16" cockpit width impossible. The boat is clean with no evidence of having been in the water. A few cosmetic scratches in the last few inches of the stern deck look easy to buff out. I did not try out the boat prior to purchasing it as you ALL suggested, but it looks like what is needed, and if Suz likes P&H I'm confident. I've already bugged both sons about a remake of the Misery trip. I think John is still healing. Thank You All very much, Tom