Rufus
Yep. Rufus has some deals for real. He has a better variety than most of the big shops. And if he doesn’t have it, he will eventually. He loves to shop. Rufus is my paddling buddy, and you really should check out the QCC he has.
Von
try nc kayaks
www.nckayaks.com,
also check www.point65.com, it looks like they have glass boats that start at around $1900
one more deltakayaks.com
goof luck
rpeterk – a thought
– Last Updated: Oct-07-06 8:38 AM EST –
The Qcc Q400 is 48lbs and $2100.
http://www.qcckayaks.com/kayaks/model.asp?model=q400x
I note from the website also, rpeterk, that you are at the very tippity top of the manufacturer's weight range (115lbs to 180 lbs) for the Q400. Don't eat too many Ho Hos and Twinkies if you buy that boat. I am surprised that no one else is mentioning this important fact to you.
If you are basically looking for definitely faster than the dowdy Pungo yet still stable for photography and that would stil fit your frame ideally, you might consider the 14.5 foot, 54 lb Prijon Calabria.
www.wildnet.com
See it for details on the official website.
A good and solid kayak, more spry than your Pungo for sure, with trihedral hull for speed, and will handle both backwaters and the big lakes. I take mine on both 10 foot wide rivers, and 5000 acre inland lakes. On windy days, could use a rudder, but you can see what you think first (as you know, many photographers enjoy a rudder so that they can build up speed, then stop paddling and get out the camera, and glide toward a subject while controlling/steering the boat by foot pedals). The Calabria is rudder ready, including the gas pedal footpegs. This does, very much so, provide the solid foot bracing with toe control of the rubber that you desire. Ruddered, the very solid footbraces are about 4 inches tall for ease of fine foot control.
This retailer The River Connection, Marshall from Pnet, has a brand new blue one on the east coast for $825 that he told me about. Email him for details and shipping options. That is a steal price, as it retails for around $1200. Marshall is an up and up guy, I've bought plenty from him.
http://www.the-river-connection.com/
(I don't thinks it's on his website--use that for the email/contact). But See www.wildnet.com for more details on this superb mid-sized and fully outfitted sea kayak.
I'd buy it but I already own one. Yellow. This German made high end plastic (blow molded, not rotomolded, so very stiff) imported boat just might fit the bill for your purposes and body size.
Happy paddling and photography. Link us your webshots site if you have one.
weight recomendations
I’m 200lbs and the 400 is plenty big. Methinks this is one of those things where the designer defines paddler weight according to some formula and not actual testing. I would bet $100 that a 125lb person is WAY to small for it in 15mph breeze
ditto LeeG
The Caspian Sea (which is the same Winters design as the QCC 400) lists the optimum load range as 150-280lbs. I’m 195 and paddled this boat for almost a year. It would be fine for your weight.
http://swiftcanoe.com/kayak/CaspianSea_Exp.asp
yep
– Last Updated: Oct-07-06 10:15 AM EST –
I am 165 and prefer the boat with a bit more weight in it. I've paddled it with up to 260 (my weight included) when loaded for a weeklong trip. It was not sluggish at all and still responded well. I think it's a pretty high volume kayak for it's size and benefits from added weight.
your suggestions
are appreciated
QCC400X & photography
The QCC400X is one of my two kayaks. I use it for photography, but it’s also a great all-around boat.
Here’s one of my images:
http://mcmurray.smugmug.com/gallery/1870806/1/94074333
great pics!
What camera are you using?
Yesterday I was fortunate to get a fairly close up shot of a bald eagle perched on dead tree branch. I need to look into setting a web photo archive.