Why have kayaks gone stubby?

Paddlers' Place
#44

That’s why there arec so many options. I came across a guy paddling what I knew was a 120 Pungo. I could avg 4.1 mph in my 140 Pungo. I paced him for 1/3 mile at 4.5 mph using a $69 plastic ribbed paddle. When he stopped I told him his speed and he hsd no idea. We exchanged numbers and offered to privide a longer boat so he could go out further. I wanted to see how he did it. He attributed his paddling technique to swimming training. To my disappointment, he declined several times. It isn’t always what you have as much as what you do with it.

I also caught up with a guy paddling an Impex Assateague. We talked for a while then parted on divergent courses. The 17 ft boat was three feet longer than mine so he edges away slightly. I wanted it, but would fit in it anyway, so I let him live. He lived about 30 minutes away and owned the boat for two years. It was the first time he had it on the Bay. He paddled a total of 6 miles that day. Different goals for different people.

I don’t like nice things because I bust them up. My Tsunsmi are built like trash cans. Even the trash collectors can’t bust them up.

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#45

My experience was similar. I don’t remember paying any attention at all to the stubby plastic boats, either on the water or in the discount stores, when I decided to give kayaking a try … quite the opposite, in fact. My first boat was too big for me to handle as a novice. What I thought would be so much fun wasn’t fun at all. But with some extra outfitting and time spent with experienced (and patient) paddlers, it worked out.

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