tideline 19 owners. would appreciate reviews of the boat. thanks.
Come on Tideline owners…
I’d like to hear about this boat too! I live in the midwest (150 mi from Lake Superior) so have access to “big” water and would love to hear about this boat.
Familiar question - enduring mystery…
– Last Updated: Jan-10-07 3:50 PM EST –
... let me add some history:
http://www.paddling.net/message/showThread.html?fid=advice&tid=298124
http://www.paddling.net/message/showThread.html?fid=advice&tid=324274
http://www.paddling.net/message/showThread.html?fid=advice&tid=525980
http://www.paddling.net/message/showThread.html?fid=advice&tid=530303
Hey Pat! Can you ask some of the Tideline 19 owners if prospective customers can contact them? Happy customers are a wasted resource if you can't have anyone talk to them about the kayaks.
QCC has had several call me about my 700 (and know of many others in other areas who get same sort of calls). I've arranged demos for a couple (in others QCCs that are still more stock), even did one field repair... Like I said, happy customers are a great resource if any are willing to talk to people.
Unfamiliar Answer
Have you ever left the water with your spirits sky high, and carried your kayak away as proud and puffed up as any two people could be? Then, found yourself sheepishly shrunk by your own insignificant answer to, “Hey, what’s it like out there?” So it is, I suppose, this fear of shooting our own feelings down that leaves most Tideline 19 owners reluctant to answer the “mystery” of our kayak regardless the pressure to “come on.” Nevertheless, I’ll give it a shot.
For two years, I have owned a Tideline 19 built by Pat of ONNO Paddles fame. It has been during this time, that despite Wisconsin weather woes most of my days have evolved into time when I paddle and time when most everything else is done.
I am no “expert” at kayaking. Actually, my Tideline 19 was the first kayak owned by me. This purchase was made after I sat in only one other kayak at one other time. It was an ugly capsize in my canoe three winters ago on Lake Michigan that left me with full reason to purchase something more suitable for my love of big, open waters.
When the new fiberglass kayak arrived at my house, my trust in Pat, won by our conversations and his expert and passionate approach to the process of building me a kayak, was obviously well rewarded. The finish on all areas of this kayak would make a Corvette collector proud. This kayak has the most beautiful lines. Its up swept bow and long water line just scream to be let loose on big waters. So, away to the water we have gone; time and time, again.
The first thing noticed when taking this kayak to Lake Michigan is how light it is. Weighing only 40# with hatches and seat installed is a blessing when loading, unloading, or paddling this yak. That this lightweight flyer is extremely durable has been proven throughout an incredibly exciting life floating me everywhere. The second thing noticed enroute to the lake is how many thumbs up I receive. I know that it is only a kayak, but so was Moby Dick only one man’s fairy tale. Hey, it’s still on the water where this boat truly struts its stuff.
At 19’ long and 20" wide this is no casual kayak. My initial attempts to learn to kayak were felled by a few funny moments, a few capsizes, and a few successes. I learned quickly that the hatches are leak proof. Yes, this kayak demands your full attention in return for its love to go especially when the going gets tough.
Paddle once, and glide and dream, and glide and dream. Ignore the 19’s prompts and shimmy and shake. But continue to let this kayak go farther and farther away from the protection of flatwater and you will be schooled on its capabilities. Initial and secondary stability on flatwater become one and the same, or none. Yet, on bumpy waters with wave crests four to five seconds apart, or, better yet, huge swells that race to the shore then break sharply, this kayak delights in taking flight with dancing across anything. Just ask Bobby and Jocelyn who gladly let me camp a night on their beach after I paddled down the Saguenay River being pushed by an ebb tide of seven knots into thirty knot winds that kept everyone else off the river.
Geez, what a blast it is to bust through waves or be slingshot by racing waves in this thing. Tracking is wonderful in all conditions without the need for skeg or rudder. The Tideline 19 corrects easily with minor amounts of input; such as, edging or corrective strokes. Speed is impressive in this kayak and it is comfortable for me to maintain a speed of 4.8mph. Surfing is a blast in the typical 3-5’ waves of Lake Michigan. When gale force wind warnings blow hard, then you will see what confidence the capabilities of this kayak has given me.
Hey, anyone who wants to know more about the Tideline 19 that I own, or would like to test pilot this great kayak, look me up. If I am not at home in Kenosha, Wisconsin, look for the long white kayak and smiling kayaker of Lake Michigan.
Finally, if you want to see us where it really counts, look at the photos of the Tideline 19 and me that appeared in the Kenosha News on Saturday, January 6, 2007. We were showing off in Lake Michigan for my mother who was inside the Common Grounds coffeehouse (cool place).
Thanks Pat, for building me a kayak that deserves to be shown off!
Tideline 15 and 19 molds are for sale.
Check the Onno web site in the bargain bin.
That’s a bummer,
Looks like I may never get to paddle a Tideline 15. Unless someone in the midwest buys the molds and builds them here.
Thanks for that great account of your
love affair with the Tideline 19.
Does this mean
Pat is quitting making the 15 and 19??