Never happen with a greenland paddle!
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I don’t know about that. I’m sure there are way more Sun Dolphin users that are using them as they were intended to be used than those that are more visible in the wrong places. I would say around here the biggest problem if you want to call it a problem is lack of use of PFDs. People don’t wear them to swim and these rec boats are seen as an extension of what you do swimming.
Well, actually would with mine. I wood burned my mark & date on one blade when I made it and I kind of like that where I can read it. The paddle doesn’t care.
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Much nicer than my work: Just initials & year
And the subject was?
No wonder new readers get confused. Our Random Access Memories tend to lose focus on a single subject.
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Used to play a game (and still do at times with my daughter) where you riff off the last statement into something (almost) totally unconnected. The ‘rules’ of the game are that there must be a tenuous line back that those playing get but everyone else gets lost. The goal is to see how long those that are playing can keep it up. Can be fun in the right group - potentially cruel in the wrong group.
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Wandering off topic… I was recreationally posting! 
Speaking of prejudice: your inexpensive inflatable, while adequate for your local lake paddles, is NOT “certainly better than a folding kayak” from a safety aspect. ALL of the 7 folding kayak models I’ve owned were rigged for and used with spray skirts, full flotation bags and had inflatable full length internal sponsons. None of them has relied on inflation for structural integrity, as full inflatables do, and any would be more maneuverable and stable (and safer) in open water, wind and steep waves than your SE370. Folders have been used for a century, including on transatlantic crossings and remote research expeditions and have been standard issue to military commando teams since World War II.
Better to avoid forming prejudices without evidence if you want to have the best success in eventually choosing your next boat once you really get into the sport. Beware the novice error of dissing what you don’t know.
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I believe when you “finally” decided to get an inflatable, after all the advice you received for the multitude of questions you asked, I said buy what you could get (out of the 2 candidates you had) and go paddling. It was not meant as go buy a cheap rec boat and head for the Azores.
I have never seen any of these good people give bad or dangerous advice to anyone who is new to the sport. However, after awhile of getting the best of said advice, it is time for the new paddler to take that wealth of knowledge and put it to use.
In my opinion you received hundreds of years of combined experience and repeatedly questioned that advice every time and finally settled on a boat “you” deemed best. Your posts also came across as someone looking to be outfitted entirely by people here before you purchased, looked at, or used your precious time to do it on your own.
I think you owe thanks and not criticism.
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Its not prejudiced to look at a Honda Civic loaded with 20 bags of cement lashed to the roof with twine and say, “Hey, thats just an all around bad idea”. That doesnt mean that the Civic isnt a decent vehicle, it means that it is being used in an unsafe manner outside of its design limits. If you toss those same bags of concrete in the back of a F250 it may be enough to make it ride smooth. You will not lose the load, you will not cave the roof in, you will not send bags of concrete into an intersection, you will be able to stop, you wont cause the vehicle to roll, ect ect ect. To say that the PU is designed to do that job, and the civic isnt, even if you can get away with using your car that way once or twice, isnt prejudiced.
It is however prejudiced to state that a rec boat can do what a sea kayak can, by definition … an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge …
Thought and knowledge went into the reasonable opinion that rec boats are not made for every condition. It is not a feeling, the fact is even stated in the owners manual.
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You also said about the used Tsunami 125 with PFD and paddle for $550 IIRC: “That would be perfect. Can’t ask for a better setup for that price.” In fact a number of people said the same, and a number of people also said that same thing about a few other deals on good used boats people found for LP, and all those were ignored.
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Some folks just have to be “the world’s foremost authority.” Those of us of a certain age will recall Professor Erwin Corey (a frequent guest on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show in the 1960’s and 70’s).
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I didn’t mean to diss any type of boat, there is a use case for all. I apologize if it came off like that.
My concern with a noob and foldable would be the floating devices need to be installed. And I see that the people that wear PFD only when they think they need them (never) will handle the floating bags the same way and may not install them. Obviously this isn’t a concern for a seasoned person that is safety-cautious. For a noob, or a person not 100% aware of the drowning danger, flotation that is permanently installed by default is better.
I had briefly looked at the Oru, and also saw the folders that look more like a regular kayak (with the many sticks to assemble, and floating bags). Due to storage and transport challenges, it was foldable, inflatable, or nothing. So no one needs to be mad at me when I didn’t buy a hard shell. I totally agree a hard boat is better, on the water. To each their own. In addition there are supply constraints, so what I have now is decent enough for this summer to get me in the water and I’m fully prepared to re-visit a “better” boat option later. But I’m reasonably sure I now have a safe boat for the waters I will be on. I don’t think I claimed my choice would be a good choice for someone else in different waters.
Yes and it would be a good choice for someone that can transport it. It is a terrible choice for someone who can’t… You probably missed the part where I tried a roof cross bar solution, and returned it due to flaws. And all the “good brand” cross bar manufacturers don’t have the appropriate towers for my car probably till end of this summer. I tried a hard-shell solution… and may try again later… but if I wanted to boat this summer, it had to be something foldable or inflatable. At least for now.
The sponsons in folding kayaks are integrated into the skins, not added on. Just as with your inflatable, they are pumped up when assembling the boat. But though they help tension the skin for a sleeker hull and better performance, you can still paddle if one or more of them goes flat. The separate hull float bags (to keep the boat from taking on a lot of water in a full capsize) are tied in and optional to inflate. They are more backup and convenience than a safety necessity in some conditions.
One does need to be willing to set up and maintain the various aspects of a folding kayak so they are less likely to be purchased by people who just want to “grab and go”. But there are enough benefits to them that you don’t have with hardshells or inflatables that those tasks are usually worth tending to. Every type of boats has advantages and disadvantages (unless you’re wealthy enough to have a staff who transports and preps your craft at the launch site for you.)
You can also use a sea sock. a waterproof “body bag” that fits over the coaming rim and creates a soft cockpit around the paddler that blocks water from getting into the hull.
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When I got my first kayak, bigger than the Tsunami 125, I had no roof rack. I got a couple of pieces of foam and put them on my bare roof of my small car, tied it down carefully and brought it home. I believe other people mentioned that this can be safely done especially when going a short distance. But whatever, everyone does what s/he wants and advice is free.
Thanks for clarifying. the YT videos I saw showed a type that had the bags manually installed. And I didn’t research the Oru in too much detail, but it didn’t seem to have something permanently installed.
None of the 3 types (hard, inflatable, foldable) is without caveats. Most important thing (IMHO) is to know the specific requirements of each type before buying so that there are no later surprises. Knowing the drawbacks can be more important than knowing the advantages. Each type will require some sort of hassle before and after boating.
Doggy_Paddler: I wasn’t comfortable with the idea to run straps through my door and having the foam sliding on my roof. It may scratch, or damage the door seals or so. I’m personally more comfortable with a “by the book” solution when it comes to driving in traffic. At least the first time I do it. I’m not saying foam is bad… but would feel better with cross bars.
There also is the issue of storing the boat. My garage is short and not very high. So half the boat would have to hover just a few " above the overhead door. It just seemed easier to get started and only worry about the boat, instead of worrying about boat, car and garage. As I said, this was an interim solution for the COVID supply issue year, and to get me more experience and knowledge before a more permanent solution. I guess I followed the advice “to just get one and and start paddling” after all. For $240 (kayak inc. paddles) I can avoid rental fees ($40/3 hrs + lack of flexibility), and probably sell it next year or have a spare boat. PFD for $120 (need regardless of boat) and a drybag got me into kayaking for under $400.
Totally understandable and I truly hope you love kayaking and really enjoy your boat. If you ever decide to upgrade you’ll be in a better position to know what you want, and will then get great advice from everyone here.
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With any inflatable, be sure to carry a complete repair kit. The manufacturers of most inflatables sell ones that are matched to their boats.
It’s no fun being 5 miles from the put in with a partially deflated boat.
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