I think we should group boats
Obviously there are gradations in purpose and performance but there are a few boats that seem to me to fall into logical groups. With fairly limited experience in some of them, I’d put the Romany, T-165, and Avocet in the same group. Maybe some others too. Probably the small Chatham. What’s the most similar P&H?
Basically what I’m saying is that they seem to fill the same niche and it’s pretty much up to you to figure out which one best suits your needs. Shades of gray.
Agree
And to Sea_Kayaker, I for one have no issue with you thinking a Romany is the best sea kayak blend out there…I simlpy disagree…that’s all. I will say that it is a super boat. I agree with haresurfer that boats fall into categories for the most part…not unlike skis.
woah, calm down there buddy…
I’m not offended in the slightest or anything for that matter. I was simply just stating that when I read it, I interpretted it the same way that salty did. There’s nothing wrong with preferring NDK boats. Many paddlers would agree with you on that preference. I was just sharing how I perceived your statement since you were starting to get a bit defensive.
cool?
Capella
P&H Capella
T-165
Chatham 16
Avocet
and the winner for BEST in class is…
Romany 16 ?
I think not.
tho…FORD makes the BEST truck…we ALL know THAT! I have one and I think it’s BEST.
steve
Capella 161 or 163
The two Capella’s that fall into the Romany and T165 class are the 161 and 163.
My personal favorite is the 161 which I sold a Romany in order to buy:)
Suz
yep
my favorite 2 P/H. I fit the 163 a bit better!
steve
Group Paddlers Too!
Unless you know the size and weight distribution, overall athletic abilities, personality, experience, paddling abilities, and favorite paddling venues of someone, you have almost no way of knowing what they mean when they say something about a boat.
I’ll go with
the Romany and the Ford.
But, Willyboy, only you can answer your question regarding which will be more FUN. As you can see, there comes a point where its simply “chemistry” between boat and paddler that gives the answer.
And your chemistry can change over time as well (after almost 20 years of paddling, I ALMOST have my quiver of 13 kayaks tweaked perfectly, but not quite). Don’t think you need to marry this kayak forever, thats the beauty of it. Get one now, and you can trade it in for a different one later if you want, or end up owning a WS and an NDK at the same time for a while…then you can tell us which one ends up being more fun for you…its all good.
Let us know what you end up with and how you got there.
Cheers
Also hugely true!
The main thing is to grab a boat that turns you on and go do something with it. The interraction with the natural world is what it’s about to me. Tools are cool for sure, but just a means. There is no best, only best for you at this juncture.
cool
yeah just remember ‘it’s only a boat’. as salty puts it a ‘tool’ to get you into your favorite enviro, the sea. (or wherever your fav is)
own a CWS AND an NDK at the same time???
how would that work? they’d be fightin’ like cats’ndogs all the time!
actually they don’t… I keep 'em in seperate racks.
steve
Thanks for the replies everybody
I had’nt the time to get on the net in last few days so I had no idea where this post was going. I was just trying to have some FUN while I was trying to make up my mind between the two boats. Both boats are for sale from people in my area and either one would be FUN to own in addition to my 700. I haven’t made up my mind yet…
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to ALL…Ho, Ho, Ho
oh sure…
you start a thread, we go to alllll this work, and you don’t even read it!
what’s the internet coming to?
and a Ho, Ho, freakin’ Ho to U/2 !
steve
you
could buy both…give you more time to test and decide
Best Wishes
Roy
OR,
Pick whichever one of the several in that category that you like, and buy a surf ski, or surf boat, or legit speedster tourer like an Epic 18, QCC 700, Rapier. That way you have a couple of very different kayaks that excel in different ways. Amuses me how people will obsess over boats that are very similar. Me thinks it better to have variety than a rack full of the “same”.
Just thoughts…
Bingo
Exactly! I’ve got 13 boats, all for different categories. When I sell one off, usually replace it with something in the same caegory.
Current variety…
…in decreasing order of length:
Mark 1 Surf Ski
Custom SOF
QCC 700
WS Sparrow Hawk*
OK Rrrapido
Others recently sold:
VCP Pintail* ('94 - old model)
Tsunami X-1
Others before that"
Findeisen UX
Heritage Shearwater
WS Tarpon 160
Findeisen Venture* (a 13’9" x 23" ski!)
Stearns IK116
-
- Kim’s but I’ve paddled all 3.
Of course this all this “variety” is coincidental more than planned. Just can seem to focus… “Eclectic” might be a better description. Eventually “eccentric” if I follow my heart and go with designing/building more than buying!
Maybe in a few more years I could actually understand myself and the options enough put together a well balanced fleet, but skills, interests, and venues change with time - and so the fleet with it. That change is a big part of the fun for me.
- Kim’s but I’ve paddled all 3.
Yes, Different Category
I’d like to try the Rapier.
what about an Avocet?