Why
by the time they hit the shore, Matt will be done with at least 3 more models of kayaks…(said in fun:>))
not mean to demean in any way…just going with the past…He is above average as far as kayak turn-over.
Matt, I am around 200 to 205 and paddle an Anas Acuta for fun and a Nordkapp for trips and find that I am close to the top weight for the AA…I cut the seat out of mine and have a foam seat I put in when I please, but most of the time don’t use any seat…works for me
Good luck with Your new purchase (We all know that by the time You thought to ask the forum, You already have Your sites set on getting one) BTW the GP is a tanker compared to the AA
Best Wishes
Roy
Very different boats
Other than the hard chines, the GP and the AA have very little in common. The AA is a much lower volume boat that’s more like a “real” Greenland kayak. The GP is “Greenland” in name only, as it’s a huge boat. That isn’t meant as criticism, just a statement of fact.
The AA is a very maneuverable boat and it handles rough water well. However, 200# is pushing the weight limit and you’ll be sitting very low in the water. I’m around 175# and that’s a pretty good practical limit for an AA.
should fit the bill
If you have it packed full you’ll have very little freeboard, but as a playboat it sounds like it would fit the description of what you’re looking for.
Sorry, Wrong Diagnosis
– Last Updated: Feb-22-10 5:40 PM EST –
Paul,
What Matt actually suffers from is a serious case of: "C.O.P.G.A.D." - that would be "Compulsive Obsessive Paddling Gear Aqusition Disorder".
Mike
comparing GP or Romany Surf?
– Last Updated: Feb-22-10 6:07 PM EST –
I thought he wanted a comparison of the Romany Surf and the Anus, not the Greenlander and the Anas. I think he brings up the Greenlander just to show he likes hard chines. Cause, no, the Greenlander and the Anas are not in the same category.
I love the Anas, it is indeed sharper and crisper than the original Romany, but I haven't paddled the Romany surf. The Anas is indeed a fun playboat.
FWIW, I'm 200plus.
Why would someone…
– Last Updated: Feb-23-10 3:31 PM EST –
...compare any kayak to an "anus".
I guess you could say that some boats' performance really stinks and some have really crappy construction, but that comparison is going a bit far, dontcha' think? ;-)
I've never even seen a Romany Surf, so I have no idea how it compares to an AA.
interesting
Wasn’t the romany translated loosely from the pintail which isa descendant of the anAs?
Many boats are descended from Anas
– Last Updated: Feb-24-10 4:56 PM EST –
Yes, the Romany was designed starting from a Pintail mould and the Pintail is basically a soft chine Anas. However, the Romany and Anas Acuta are very different boats. There are scores of boats whose ancestry includes the Anas Acuta (all Valley and NDK sea kayaks among others).
All kayaks are derivative designs
It’s generally a case of paddling a given boat, then thinking about what you like and what you’d change. It seems to me that the specific boats in a given “lineage” are mostly incidental - they were what was available at the time for the designer to paddle - since you could arrive at any given design from a multitude of directions. While the AA was a direct descendant of Ken Taylor’s skin boat, once you get beyond that, the boats diverge in shape and performance pretty dramatically.
Duncan Winning counts around 50
As I recall Duncan Winning lists about 50 different kayak models as descendants of Ken Taylor’s boat. The list (family tree) is still in formation.
http://www.ukseakayakguidebook.co.uk/taylor_kayak/art_kt%27s_kayak.htm
volume…
someone above brought up a good point…volume. For me the Greenlander Pro is a good fit. Someone above mentioend it being huge in comparison to the Anas which may mean that the Anas might just be too small for me.
I know that many are of the school of thought that lower volume is better, but I find that a correct fit is critical and that smaller is not always better.
I guess what I really want is a 16 foot Greenlander Pro with a bit more rocker.
Nigel…are you reading this???..
Matt
Matt
You probably know this - Tom (the sea kayak instructor) at Potomac Paddle Sports usually paddles the Anas Acuta. Should not be a problem I guess to get in touch with him and try his boat. Either at one of the rolling sessions indoors or somehow meet him on the water or borrow the boat from the shop without him noticing -;)…
Petrel?
Have you tried the Petrel (check CLC Boats for the kit)? Got to build one to have one, but that gives you the flexibility to make it fit you. I paddled one briefly and I thought it was a great boat that would be tons of fun in textured water for someone 160-200lb, though the front deck was a little too low for me and my feet. You’ve probably seen Nick Schade’s videos with it.
What’s the point?
Some of those boats are so unlike the original that about the only thing they have in common is that they’re kayaks. That’s largely the point I was making above.
There have most certainly been many copies of the original over the decades and quite a few recent ones, plus numerous modified versions. However, the same could be said for many other boats that have been surveyed and had their dimensions published. I really don’t think “lineage” is even remotely important when it comes to kayaks, as all of these historic boats are simply someone’s interpretation/modification of someone else’s boat or the result of using a somewhat standardized measuring method.
I agree with Brian on this…
I weighed 190 when I paddled an Anas Acuta and felt just a bit too heavy for it. Of course others may disagree depending on their viewpoints but I felt like there was so much hull under the water that it paddled really slow and was affected by every little current/wave at that weight. (I only paddled it a short while though so may have changed my opinion after more time in it.)
After your comments on the narrowness of the Greenlander Pro though with the hip pads I had in it you may have hip width comfort issues too.
right, I understand that
…it’s just interesting that we ended up talking about some significant related milestones in this thread.
I was supporting your point
I was simply adding information to support your point.
Matt
Why not consider the Valley Avocet? It has a bit more volume and though it lacks hard chines - it is a very fine playboat in the 16 foot range. Several very good paddlers at Connyak have one and they all swear by them. Also, if you want to use it in rock gardens there is even the plastic version available…
Just a thought…
Scott
Romany Surf or HV…
Matt, having watched you in your Romany HV at Sullivans Falls, I can’t imagine you will find a better production boat for your play.
You might have to start thinking about working with a boat designer if you want something finer tuned.
AA
I’ve paddled the Anas a bit and like it a lot, though I haven’t had it out in anything really rough. Very playful boat. I’m also considering getting one as a second kayak to complement my Force 4. I’m 6’ 185-190 and I fit in it just fine. Never been in a GPro, but for reference, I demo’ed the Q-boat and found it way too high-volume for a comfortable fit.
Oh, and by the way, Tom Nickels no longer has his AA. Potomac Psports stopped carrying Valley, so Tom is moving to a Cetus. I know the guy who has the boat now, but I’m not going to post his name on this board for privacy reasons – but if you like, I could send contact info to him. I’m sure he’d be happy to arrange a demo.