in article , Bub at
wrote on 9/19/04 9:42 PM:

I had a Necky zoar for a long time and I have to say it is one of the most
stable boats I've ever paddled. Graet all purpose boat. You'll like it.
Bub

Unless you are planning to paddle long distances. It does have great primary
stability but the sacrifice is that it moves through the water like a
bathtub (or starts to feel like one) on a longer paddle :-)

"bdubya" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 17 Sep 2004 18:50:51 GMT, Wright
wrote:

On 9/17/04 11:42 AM, in article
,
"bdubya" wrote:

My GF and I are looking at used kayaks, with an eye mainly towards
day-paddling (river and Lake MI), with occasional one- or two-night
river trips. We've paddled a few different kayaks in conditions
ranging from flat rivers to light ocean surf, but we're not
particularly experienced (she's 130 lbs, I'm 185).
I've got a line on a couple of used Necky boats, a Zoar and a Kayook.
Am I right in thinking these would fit our needs pretty well? Any
comments?

bw
I am not familiar with the Kayook at all; I am familiar with the Zoar and
it
is a good entry level kayak for the lake and overnighting. But you also
mentioned river trips, if your are talking about flat rivers with nothing
more than very mild rapids the Zoar would still be alright. If the
rapids
are any greater than that any of a number of whitewater boats would be
more
suitable than the Zoar.

I've seen the Kayook also spelled as the Kyook. Model is apparently
out of production, since the Necky site has no info. It's about a
foot longer than the Zoar. And whitewater is not in the plans for
these boats.

Thanks for the input,
bw

Thanks for all the input on the prior thread, all. As it happens, GF
didn't like the seat on the Zoar, and wound up with a used Cape
Lookout 145 (Wilderness Systems) instead. We took them both out on
flat water yesterday. The WS doesn't track so good for a 14.5' boat
(I think it might be a little distorted, actually, rockered a little
bit more than when new if that's possible). Turns real easy, but I'd
hesitate to take it out on the open lake if there's anything more than
a light breeze blowing.

I'm thinking the best fix would be to retrofit a rudder, if possible
(sure looks like it ought to be). Is there any reason not to? Should
I check with the original mfr to see if they have a retrofit available
(all such info on their site is "coming soon", which doesn't help),
or are there aftermarket rudder systems available that we should
consider instead?

TIA,
bw

On 20-Sep-2004, bdubya wrote:

I'm thinking the best fix would be to retrofit a rudder,

The best thing would be to get a kayak that doesn't need a
rudder.

Some kayaks have a rudder because that's what sells and others
because they can't be used without one. The Current Designs
Solstice models have rudders but don't need them. The Perception
Shadow has a rudder because it's very hard to control in wind
without one. If the Solstice rudder breaks, the kayak can still
be paddled. If the Shadow rudder breaks, the paddler is in
trouble.

I've never paddled a Cape Lookout, but if it _needs_ a rudder,
you'd be better off with another kayak.

Mike