On Thu, 26 Feb 2004 00:16:03 GMT, "Rick" wrote:


wrote in message
.. .

Hi All,

NEWBIE INQUIRY

I've been lurking here lately (just bought a canoe) and although I have no
intentions of putting sponsons on it, I am
curious what all of the negativity is toward them and their use?

Thanks,

Malcontent


Mal,

It isn't the sponsons that are the problem, it is their advocate. Tim has a
long history of polluting this group with the same garbage and diatribes ad
infinitum. He does not respond honestly, nor truthfully, on the topic. If
you suggest that learning to paddle safely is more important than capsizing
and having to resort to some last ditch device to save your life, Tim calls
you a murderer. Nobody on this group has ever said, "no" to sponsons, or
other safety devices, they've just said a resounding "NO" to Tim. Sadly, he
doesn't understand this and posts the same garbage, makes the same claims,
and raves that we are responsible for the deaths of morons who go paddling
in conditions that are well beyond their skills.

It is more pathetic than funny, sadly.

Rick


Gotcha,

I guess every Usenet news group has to have at least 1 "cut 'n paste" nut case.

When I was a kid many moons ago, I was fortunate enough to go to a camp that had canoes. We all had to pass the Red
Cross canoeing exam before we were permitted to go on long distance camp outs. None of those canoes had any sort of
lifesaving equipment on board. We didn't even have PFD's in those days. I managed to survive the capsizing and re-entry
part of the exam back then. Now, 40 years later and a little wiser, I think as long as I wear a PFD I'll be just fine.

Malcontent