that’s funny, Donna
I have had a Merlin XT and have a Sirocco.
Apples and oranges, but loved/love 'em both.
in my case
she was 19 and I was 27. WTF was I thinking.
I realize
that I am chiming in late, but buy from the local guy. I have stayed pretty loyal to a local outfitter (Outdoor Source, Columbus Ohio) and in return they truly take care of me. I can go in there, shoot the breeze for an hour and walk away without buying anything and its fine with them. I have spent a ton of money there over the years. I know I pay a little more, but the level of service is totally worth it. They have fixed things for me for free, ordered me replacement buckles for free, they give me random discounts, they appreciate my loyalty and they do what they can. There is another outfitter in town and I stopped by there, but I will always do my business with the Outdoor Source. They go so far as to call me when they find products that they think I might like (big man sized). They are a great bunch of folks that deserve the business. Plus, I hate going to walmart and big box stores.
it’s a tank
I bet you could make your own kayak
out of all the pennies you’ve saved
Let me be the first to say…
YAWWWWN!
why would anyone buy a ford?
Im my case it’s because my brother sells them—used to have an F-150–the damn thing actually had two gas tanks and believe me it needed them—couldn’t afford to run the 150 on todays prices
Or the second…
Didn’t I read one of your posts
stating you were a lawer?
I thought you guys made big bucks.
Cheers,
JackL
Just my humble opinion, but
the Sirocco did seem like a barge/bathtub to me. Too big or too high volume or something… not sure… just didn’t like the way it handled on anything but flat water. (It has oooo so nice glide in the flat water, as I recall…) And in serious chop, I really felt like it was controlling me, not the other way around; often felt on the verge of capsize. I’m sure it’s different with a more skilled paddler, and probably someone who fits it better.
I did demo it - on flat water. (sigh)
Also, I have found with experience that a 17-footer is just too long for me, period. I can’t push all that bulk nearly as efficiently as I can a 14-footer. I swear I’m faster in my 15.5 foot Riot Evasion than I am in my Barracuda (or AS FAST anyway). And I’m not MUCH slower in my 12-footer.
Somehow, the Merlin did manage to move through the water quite nicely. Loved the tracking and the wind resistance. Never felt unstable in that boat even in rough conditions.
define big bucks
I make much more than I’m entitled to and I spend more than that—lol Actually I’m a recovering lawyer–I am currently and for the last 12 years a Hearing Officer for the Maine Workers Comp Board—an administrative judge–have to be a lawyer to do it.
you might recall
I’m way bigger than you. The same thing that makes the Sirocco a “Broachomatic” (somebody’s term) makes it highly maneuverable too. I’ve found the rounded hull very forgiving in rough stuff; no edges for the water to grab on to.
this thread will hit 150
and he’ll still be on the pot.
mbrickell states he has enough in the bank to buy three boats over. Then go buy a boat and be done with it already. Enough blah blah blah.
remember that lady
on television infomercials with the very short, blond hair?
So… like stop the madness already!
Just go buy a boat and get paddling. Too much sitting on pot can lead to negative outcomes (e.g.prolapse).
I think it’s always wise to try to make
the best deal for yourself. Unless you know that a shop offers great service why is it better than another shop? I recently bought two expensive bikes and was completely turned off by the local shops. It was the end of the season and asked about future sales and was given a negative response. I was ready to buy, but figured I can always buy from a shop at full price so I shopped around; consequently, the shops lost two sales for expensive bikes.
Why buy last years model at full price? I checked around and found the bikes I wanted on sale in other shops. The service is great. They were bigger shops so had many more models to test ride.
A good business will know how to close the deal. I didn’t expect much off just something to prime the pump ($100?) and was willing to wait for a sale. I didn’t know how the shops would treat their customers so paying full price would have been a leap of faith on my part while they have my money. I dealt with small businesses that were really unfriendly after the purchase. Also, I never in fact ever brought a bike into a shop for repairs so free tuneups etc isn’t what I need. I’m a good bike mechanic.
In general, I prefer large businesses since I never have a problem returning an item, for example REI. Also, at REI, if you’re willing to wait, they have great sales. I’m a member and have their credit card so never pay full price. At Wal-Mart, I bring in a sale paper and they price match an item and I never had a problem returning anything.
However, I recently made a deal with a local wood stove store to purchase two stoves at discount with the incentives they give for sales at the end of the season even though the sale wasn’t on. It doesn’t cost anything to ask and if you find out someone else did and did get a discount, then you’ll feel foolish for not asking.
Of course you should ask
the dealer what their profit margin is. Also what his net was for the last year.
Maybe what his rent or mortgage payments are.
After all, the dealer has no right to make a profit. Dealers exist solely to supply boats and gear at cost to “customers”.
Apparently many dealers are operating undwer the assumption that we live in a capitalist society. They need to be put in their collective places immediately.
Power to the people!
Jim
nope
its pure capitalism—the business owner who can’t give the best service and/or the best price to his or her customers enventually goes out of business—that’s the way it is and the way it should be.