Hi Jasmine,
I'm fairly new to paddling but I've been out a few times and hadd some practice with kayaks in a pool during the winter. I'm going along to sessions throughout the summer hopefully with a canoe
) I'm off to Canada for a week canoing so hopefully I'll get better from that.
I have a friend wit an old town and another with a coleman. Both reckon theirs is best hence the question here. Of the two I preferred the old town but had to ask as the coleman is cheaper. I'll start looking for a secondhand one as I don't think she who must be obeyed will let me spend out on a new one.
It looks as if I could do with two boats
) I'll probably end up on my own on occassions.
Thanks for the advise
Cheers
Kev
----- Original Message -----
From: Jasmine Waters
Sent: Thu, 20 May 2004 10:08:11 +0100
Subject: Which boat?
Hi Kev,
A fellow Norfolk paddler! I'm in Norfolk & do a fair bit of canoeing!
So, what you need to do first is decide what you're gonna use it for -
you seem to be settled on touring on flat water (rivers & Nfk broads),
camping & fishing for the family. Are you likely to be paddling it solo
at all? I'm assuming not (basically if you're paddling solo you'd aim
for a lighter & shorter boat, but that doesn't sound what you're after).
For family paddling & fishing, you'd want a fairly stable boat & for
flat water touring you'll want it to have reasonable tracking (a hull
shape that prefers to go in a straight line but is usually more
difficult to perform sharp turns). For family camping you need to look
at a larger/longer boat.
You also want to consider the weight of the boat. Are you gonna have
help getting this on & off the car or is it gonna have to be a one man job?
The Discovery's are very good boats for the sort of purpose you
describe, but be careful as they come in different lengths 148 (14'8"),
158 (15'8"), 164 (you get the idea), 174 and a few other lengths. How
big is the family? If it's 2 adults & 1 child (average adults &
smallish child) I would probably recomend the 158 - 164, for more
weight, go longer, but don't try to paddle the 174 on your own - it's a
bit of a beast!!! They're very roughty toughty boats (many clubs buy
them for that very reason) - stand a lot of abuse! They're pretty
stable & are reasonably priced. However I think the seats are about the
most uncomfortable of any canoe but if you find them unbearable they're
not difficult to change!
The Colemans are pretty much shunned by many of those who consider
themselves to do 'real paddling'!!! ;-) However, they do perform a very
good service, many people who want just what you're after buy colemans &
they serve them very well. They have a keel line (ridge down centre of
boat on hull) which aids their tracking so they tend to be reasonably
good 'straight line' boats. However they are very heavy & cumbersome.
They're even more robust, stand endless abuse than discoverys. They're
very heavy (think of getting it on/off the car!).
I would probably say Discovery would be the better boat for you, but it
depends on your finances, if you'd rather keep an eye on the pennys
don't write off Colemans.
There are MANY different boats on the market. Did you get the discovery
idea from Norfolk Marine, Hoveton/Wroxham? They have very limited other
choice. Are you a member of a local club where you can try out some
boats? If not I'd really recommend that, if you want some contacts etc
let me know. I'd above all recomend that you all paddle the boat before
you buy!
Don't know if you're looking at new or 2nd hand boats, but there are 2nd
hand ones out there, they've got a few scratches but so will any new
boat have after very few outings. Once again if you want more info
where to look let me know & I'll point you in the right direction.
All the best of luck with your hunts, fun with your paddling & if you
want any more ramblings on boats, kit or where to paddle locally, feel
free to drop me a line & I'll try to help if I can.
Maybe see you out on the water!
Jasmine
Kev Coomber wrote:
Hi
I'm in the market for a canoe and have my eye on an old town discovery. I have also seen a number of ads fole Colemans which appear to be a fair bit cheaper.
How do these compare?
I would be using it for family day trips, camping trips, and a bit of fishing. All of this on the rivers and lakes of Norfolk.
I'm new to this so any advise gratefully received.