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(Gene Cosloy) wrote in
m:

[snip ...]

Tried out a number of boats, with interesting results: Here goes:
First I rejected a number of boats out of hand because I wasn't
comfortable with the cockpit. These boats were only sat in and not
demoed: Lincoln Isle au Haut and Eggmoggin both felt that the thigh
braces were pushing my legs down straighter than I would be
comfortable with over a long period of time. It's a shame because
these are both the lightest boats in Kevlar that I encountered.

You might keep in mind that coming from a boat like the Chebeague the
cockpits in most of the boats in the class in which you're looking are
likely going to feel constricting. Part of that may actually be due to some
habits you acquired while paddling the Chebeague. More on that in a bit.
I
rejected the VCP Acuanaut/Argonaut for a similar reason although the
length and width of the cockpits were fine. A boat whose cockpit I did
not like but actually demoed anyway was the WS Tempest Pro. I liked
the way the boat handled in the water but felt both the Hip and thigh
braces constricting. ( I'm going back next week to try again with the
hip braces and thigh supports removed.) I'ts obvious to me that I like
a long or keyhole type of cockpit with a moderately high deck so that
my legs can have a decent amount of bend in them.)

There is a common phrase which is used to describe the difference between
canoes and kayaks; "You sit in a canoe, but you wear a kayak". As I wrote
above, coming from a wider boat with a large cockpit, you'll likely find the
cockpits in higher performance constricting. It might take a little getting
used to but as you develop your skills you'll come to appreciate a boat that
fits a little closer and allows a subtle pressing of the knee against the
the knee/thigh hooks or cocking of hips to cause the boat to respond. A
boat that you may now find to have good stability may soon feel
unresponsive.

Think of it this way. If a boat has a lot of initial stability it, by
definition, provides more resistance to edging it (and thus making it easier
to turn) than a boat with less initial stability. For example, let say
you're paddling along and you want to edge the boat over to the right and
make a low brace turn. In a boat with high initial stability you might find
that you have to shift your weight agressively to the right to get the boat
on edge. Now, directly in your path is a rock just under the surface, so
you're going to want to turn back to the left. Now you've got to shift all
the weight from the right over to the left. In a boat with a lower initial
stability you may only have had to cock your hips slightly in one direction,
then the other.

Now to boats that
actually got wet and one that got me wet! CD Caribou S in glass: Wow
terrific hull speed, great initial stability even when tipping back
and forth on the primary chines. Great tracker and moderately
manuverable given that I wasn't willing to edge the boat more than
the first chine. Plus IMHO the most beautiful boat to look at!

Agreed, though the WS Arctic Hawk gives it a serious challenge.

Cockpit
length/width perfect although the position of the thigh braces place
your legs closer in toward the center of the boat than I'm used to but
I found it comfortable. Not a lot of room to move around and change
position though. Question whether this would be a problem on long
trips?

You're not *supposed* to have a lot of room to move around. As long as you
don't have any specific pressure points you should be comfortable for a long
time. From your various comments I wonder if you might want to consider
your paddling posture? Are you slumped back against the back rest or
sitting more upright with just your lower back pressed against a back band
and leaning slightly forward (you should be doing the latter). It's amazing
how much of an effect of a good paddling posture can have to do with with
how different boats feel. Next time you're out try slumping back into the
seat as if you're sitting in a lounge chair. Try wiggling your hips.
Notice what it does to your stomach. You'll find that it tends to lock you
stomach so that when you try to wiggle your hips your upper body moves as
well. Notice what it does to your knees. It tends to push them up higher
against the cockpit. Now try pushing your butt back toward the seat back
and sitting with a more erect posture. Note how it loosens up your stomach
and allows your upper and lower body to move independently. Notice how your
knees have dropped and that you can provide pressure under the thigh hooks
with each leg independantly.

Next the CD Gulfstream. Wow whats not to like: tracks great,
very stable but easy to go on edge and turn. Boat was too wide for me.
Would need to pack out the cockpit too get a close in feel. If this
boat had a 22" beam and behaved the same as the Gulfstream I would be
very happy. P&H Cappella, no bad habits, nice predictable boat, very
roomy cockpit for it's size. Why doesn't this boat turn me on? Impex
Susquehanna: not sufficient stability for this novice when edging.
Transition from primary to secondary comes without warning. Nigel
Forster Legend: too tippy on flat water for me. NF Shadow got rid of
the tippy feel. But no cigar. All of these boats were demoed on flat
water with minimum wind.

You might find that some of those boats behave better under rougher
conditions than others. Some boats don't really shine until you get them
out in waves and wind. The Gulfstream may be a good example of that.

Next I traveled to R.I. and tried a couple of
boats in Wickford Harbor which had some chop and definite wind and
gusts up to 15 to 20 mi/hr. I got into a VCP Nordkapp and 2 feet from
shore attempting to check out it's feel wiggled my hips left toward
the shore and found it very responsive and then wiggled to the right
toward the open water and found myself up on edge the combing in the
water and without a spray skirt taking in water and then the next
thing I knew I was swimming.

The Nordkapp is notoriously tippy.

Stupidly I didn't even have my paddle set
for a brace on that side. Oh well I got into dry clothes and took out
a ND Romany Explorer. All I could tell was I liked it, into the wind
or with the wind behind me, turning, didn't seem to weather cock at
all, good hull speed, but since I was so spooked by my earlier
unscheduled swim I didn't dare try to edge and found turning to be
somewhat slow given my anxious state. Big shame because this could be
the one. This or the 16' Romany which I wasn't able to demo or even
see.

The NDK Explorer and Romany are extremely popular and very sea worthy. My
guess is that the weight of the brit boats in general might cause you to
balk.

So where I sit now it's either the Caribou S, a smaller
Gulfstream if that exists and the ND Romany/Explorer which needs
another trial when I'm less nervous or willing to don a drysuit. Any
more comments are welcome.

I'd give the Romany and Explorer another try. You might also try to paddle a
VCP Avocet. It's very similar to the Romany.

Someone suggested the Impex Curituck but I
can't find one to demo.

The Currituck is also a very well behaved boat, perhaps a cross between the
Romany and Explorer. You'd probably like the cockpit size. I've paddled
one several times and like it a lot. My only reservation is that for a 17'
boat I find it a tad sluggish.

If you can find one, you might like the Seaward Endeavor. Like most of the
boats you tried it comes equipped with a skeg rather than a rudder. It's
very fast, has comfortable initial stability, and is just an all around good
boat. A friend of mine is a Seaward dealer so I've paddled an Endeavor a
lot. He rents them to novice paddlers and capsize incidents have been rare.
The Seaward Tyee, however, is by far the most popular rental. Everyone that
gets into it seems to love it.