Rockhopper 340
http://www.playthesea.co.uk/
See One… Snatch It…
with Mariner Kayaks no longer producing, Coasters will be harder to come by in the used market.
sing
Coaster is excellent
Seat sucks for me, but it’s an easy retrofit. This little kayak is superb in big seas and is in my mind the best “sea kayak” in surf conditions. BTW, it goes along just fine, especially for smaller, less strong paddlers.
Coaster/Express are different
I’ve got an Express and it dissapears,light grey too.
I think boats that are good in rough stuff are boring in less challenging conditions.
Conversely…
– Last Updated: Nov-23-05 3:07 PM EST –
"less challenging conditions" are boring. Period. Doesn't matter what boat is involved. :)
The subjective quotient is very high in this thread. :)
sing
Looks like fun boat.
Interesting design.
About The Only Semi Long Boat
I am interested in right now. Can’t say any long boat interest me at all. I’m kinda in Salty’s camp on this. 
sing
long boat snob!
Come on sing, tell me that the Qaanaaq SS doesn’t look look a fun long boat!
http://www.qajaqjpn.org/qaanaaq/qaanaaq1.html
Well, Maybe…
but that boat ain’t coming over anytime soon.
Visit me. I’ll take you out to surf on some good waves. You may start to wonder why you even have long boats (like I do quite a bit these days).
sing
No fins, no fun!
Just kidding. LeeG, and sing are both thinking as I do. Rough water boats are boring on flat water, but flat water is boring unless you’re in a surf ski.
I’ll have to take you up on that!
Actually Freya is bringing a Qannaaq over from Japan and hopefully I’ll get a chance to try it out someday. As for short boats versus long boats, I have 3 short boats and 2 long boats so my preference apparently is short boats. Of course once I build my folder SOF this winter it will be 3-3 and then I’ll need another boat to break the tie!
I’m considering flying out east next fall for Delmarva. How far are you from that area?
YEP!
At 9’ long by 32" wide, an Ocean Kayak Frenzy can handle some big water. I will guarantee it.
But its got a top speed of about 3 MPH on the flats…
Whatever boat floats you,
consider paying attention to the outfitting.
What are the bulkheads made of? If it doesn’t have bulkheads how will you reduce floodable volume?
Are the bulkheads shaped to drain all the water out, or just most of it?
Perimeter lines for attaching swimmers, tows, etc?
Sensible bungy arrangement?
End grabs for swimming your boat in?
Recessed deck hardware, or at least reasonably placed exterior deck hardware?
Will the deck hardware shred your expensive paddling wear, bruise your legs, bark your skin, or cut you or simply be annoying where it is placed?
How was the deck and hull joined in manufacturing?
Bring a flashlight to match the sizzle with the steak.
Is the seat and back band reminiscent of what Torquemada would place you in, or is it actually functional?
If not, what is the cost to replace both?
How will you access things you may need on the water? Dayhatch? Knee tube? Deck bag? Behind seat?
There are some really nice hull designs out there and many of them are outfitted really well, too. Some are not outfitted so well. Just some thoughts. Any one have any other recommendations?
Augustus Dogmatycus
MMV
In Winds
I had my Romany in 30+ knot winds on Naragansett Bay last month and the bow got spun around. The boat slid and skidded so much that directional control was mostly an aspiration.
An upside was that I found my roll works in such conditions 
Sing is 400-450 miles from Delmarva
Ralph
It`s mostly about the paddler
Hi. I have seen good kayakers do relatively rough stuff in their racing K1s, so most of all the question on rough conditions are about the skills of the paddler. My preffered kayak for big waves are the Artisan Millennium Exp I had last year, but my CD Extreme also handles very well in big waves. If playing in big waves along the shore is preferred, I like the CD Sirocco very much. I am also looking forward to try the new Rockpool Alew - it looks very hot in the This is the sea 2 DVD. The Romany HV is also on my “will-try-as-soon-as-possible” list.
I Subscribe To That!
The gear can help but an over emphasis on gear leads some to a path of gear acquisition over the skills acquisition.
sing
Good Points But Some What …
– Last Updated: Nov-24-05 5:39 AM EST –
irrelevant to the SOF crowd which tends towards the minimalist approach. No bulkheads or perimeter lines needed. Backbands on get in the way of certain rolls. One doesn't come of the boat. It's roll or die.
You may be applying Brit boat concepts to a hull intended to replicate a skin boat... Indeed, I would be probably happier to get that hull without any outfitting what so ever, so I can simply outfit as I deem fit and necessary.
sing
May Be Too Far
of a side trip. I have no interest in Delmarva.
Maybe meet in Santa Cruz.
sing
Low Volume Good
Too much boat bad.