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wrote:
Sees-koo-wee-hah-nay wrote:
My wife was recently in the market for her first kayak. Through much
research, she had decided on a Swifty but had seen the Coleman/Pelican
kayaks and wanted to "check them out" before making a final descision.

The Pelican and Coleman kayaks we looked at were sold at department
stores. Just asking a question brings on dumbfounded looks from the
clerks who have no clue. They also seem cheaply made, one I looked at
had an odd dent in it, not typical hull deformation from sitting on
something, but a flaw in the molded platic about the size of a
softball. No thanks.

Since you are not interested in better options, I won't post what she
finally chose and is 100% happy with.

I have inspected the kayak closely and it is actually well made and as
rigid if not more than the Otter and very similar in construction.
Otters are a good basic rec boat, it isn't that I'm being difficult or
anything... just that I know what I am looking for after demoing what
we have and we have decided on that boat for a variety of reasons.

I don't think you're being difficult, I think you're doing your
homework and that's a good thing. There are a lot of choices out
there.

The
Coleman just threw a monkey wrench in the works since it is brand new
and has a few nice additional features at a very slightly lower
pricepoint on sale.

The odd dent in the hull and clueless clerks totally turned me off.
They may be ok for the money, but we never got that far.

snipwhich is why I came here.

I'd be perfectly happy to hear what your wife chose, just that
extolling the virtues of a day tour/touring model will not even be
considered as it is not what we need or desire.

You won't have to hear it because we don't own it.

She went with the Perception Sundance 9.5 due to it's more comfortable
(and adjustable) seat and deck rigging. Like I said, she had almost
decided on the Swifty, but after trying the Sundance, the seat made a
believer out of her. She balked at spending more money, but I assured
her it was better to spend a little more than have buyers remorse
later. The Sundance is an upgraded Swifty and worth the extra money
IMO.

I already went that route a few years ago when I bought the "Dick's
Special", the Classic Pungo. While I love the Pungo's hull design and
stability, the seat left me wishing I had bought something else. The
old remedy of sitting on a boat cushion helped, but I found myself
making excuses NOT to go kayaking and it wasn't long before I sold it.

Some fishing on fla****er lakes/rivers, some recreational paddling for exercise, and
some basic class1-2 rapids at best for fun. Believe me I know how nice
and comfortable some upper-end models can be and if they fit our goals
and budget I'd consider them... they just don't fit our needs right
now.

My needs are pretty much the same as yours. I bought a Pungo 120 and it
is so much nicer than the Classic Pungo I had before. The seat is
fantastic, I can adjust it a couple of ways and it helps me spend way
more time on the water than I had in the past. I had to go over my
budget by about $200, but I have not regretted it. I thought it was
better to spend more and cry once, then get something I wasn't happy
with and cry often.

Here's a pic of hers and mine.

http://i3.tinypic.com/vypbvs.jpg

Hope you find just what you're looking for.