Great Lakes
My current boat is fine on our larger inland lakes but I’d really like something a bit longer for Lakes Michigan, Huron and maybe next summer, Superior.
Tried an Avocet LV but the cockpit was huge. Plus, there’s no used Avocet LVs. There’s a Romany for sale on CL for $2700. Was purchased in 1997. And an 2008 Valley Anas Acuta in the Pnet classifieds for $950.
I don’t mind learning new dance steps so long as the dance doesn’t abruptly switch from a waltz to rock and roll.
There’s a Valley Skerray for sale at this link: http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/boa/5656714236.html
What is the red gizmo with the black handle in the third photo?
Thanks, guys.
red gizmo
bilge pump
The hmc
– Last Updated: Jul-08-16 10:26 PM EST –
had a consistent reputation for a tendency to leecock in a following wind. However, I never paddled it.
$2700?
For a 19 year old boat? Buy some of whatever they’re smoking. It’s got to be really great stuff.
Boat plus some items
No sizing info on the paddles.
http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/boa/5641967583.html
$2700
Sounds like they’re asking $10/lb for that Romany… 
it’s
not so much how big the cockpit is…seats can be changed etc…it’s more how it sits in the water with your weight…and how the hull paddles for you.or if the deck height is way too high. The other stuff…like seat and cockpit outfitting is like a couch or easy chair in a house…if you like the house…if you like the hull…same same…Don’t buy a house because of the easy chair that’s in it…don’t buy a kayak because of the seat and interior outfitting {that is where you put the custom fitting touches.
Best Wishes
Roy
Skerry
is too big …too much volume for your size.
Best Wishes
Roy
selling
The kayak for $1500 and the accessories for full cost.
Best Wishes
Roy
Probably due to my inexperience,
but I find it difficult to judge a boat when I can’t put it on edge and keep it there because of so little contact. The Avocet LV did move forward nicely. It was also different in that it was the first soft chined boat I’ve paddled.
On the other hand, Valley made some changes with the Sirona 15-10. Thicker padded seat and better fitting cockpit for me (maybe smaller?) except the thigh braces are oddly positioned.
Enjoyed it, but that’s a $4K boat and one I’m pretty sure I won’t find listed on CL.
There’s a handful of cedar strip kayaks listed locally, ranging from $7,000 (gasp) to $750. Are these more difficult to maintain?
Why
– Last Updated: Jul-08-16 11:26 PM EST –
not go to the Kayak Symposium in Grand Marais Mi
Great Lakes Kayak Symposium or to the Ladies of the Lake symposium and do a few classes first...learn to edge and brace etc...then go shopping
Money and time well spent getting a little instruction virtually in your back yard {same state}
http://greatlakesseakayaksymposium.com/
http://www.ladiesofthelakeseakayaksymposium.com/
and fun too
Best Wishes
Roy
Are these more difficult to maintain?
Yes… and depending on the builder there is a great range of design and quality.
Just finished a symposium
Good experience. Happily, i have no problems edging or bracing in a boat where my knees have contact. But am definitely interested in working with other coaches and instructors. Each one brings something different to the table and that’s always fun.
Then
another one close and a little different
http://www.qajaqtc.org/
there are still a few spots left so this one would absolutely be different.
BTW if you are having problems demoing kayaks because of contact issues…buy a couple of pieces of closed cell foam 1 inch thick and 8 or so wide and about 2 to 2 1/2 feet long. Carry them when you go to test drive. Pad the kayak to fit for desired contact. might need as many as 3 of these.
Best Wishes
Roy
Re: The Anas Acuta…
People either love this boat or they don’t… For those of us who do, it’s a great boat, fun to paddle and once you learn to paddle it, it’s a boat that just keeps getting better and better as your skills improve…
It can also be a good fit for smaller to medium sized paddlers…
Bill
Hey rookie
– Last Updated: Jul-09-16 11:30 AM EST –
As long as you're looking, you might as well take a look at what NC Kayaks has. Their 15'-8" models should fit you perfectly. These boats are only for those who are looking for fast, stable, comfortable lightweight boats that love rough water and are really easy on the eyes. nckayaks.com.
They're having a great sale on in-stock boats right now.
Visited their site,
But I hesitate spending 3K for a boat I’ve never seen, sat in, or paddled.
Makes me wonder what would happen if I didn’t like it. Do they have a return policy with full credit of purchase price, less shipping?
Call them.
Yes, I understand that it is a daunting process to consider a boat that you aren’t able to try out. If you liked the pictures and have some interest, I think a call might answer all of your questions. Talk to Doug Searls.
As for the boats, I guarantee you they are just what I said they are–beautiful, light, comfortable, fast, stable and they love rough water. These are big water boats–not for small streams and bouncing off rocks.
I just thought that as long as you are thinking about stepping up, you should know about NC. They really are even better than they say and as good as they look as pictured–the real thing is just gorgeous.
the AA is gone
– Last Updated: Jul-10-16 12:33 PM EST –
but a few Pintails for comparable sums.
An expedition boat is a bit open to interpretation. I met a guy on the north shore of Superior who expeditions out of his Pintail. Other people would say that's too slow a boat.
The Nordkapp can be tender when empty but IME behaves nicely when more loaded and in conditions. Others might find it too tender regardless.
The Skerray is an older and discontinued Valley design. If a Avocet LV felt like a tank to you, the Skerray will feel even moreso. It's not a small or narrow sea kayak.
Leecocking? Absolutely!
I owned a Nordkapp HM for a few years and it has two major issues. It leecocks and it tracks like a freight train. When you combine those two attributes, it can be very difficult to handle certain conditions. Add in the very high stock seat position and I found it to be a royal pain at times.
Dropping the seat so it rested on the hull made a huge improvement in stability, which make the boat comfortable to paddle. I found that the boat was so sensitive to weight distribution that leaning forward in the cockpit would help to loosen the stern significantly. However, that’s not practical in some situations and the ultimate remedy was to sell the boat and buy something with better handling characteristics.