Don Freeman wrote:
"Brian Nystrom" wrote in message
news:vgcOg.2407$SQ1.867@trndny09...
Drew Cutter wrote:
I'm looking to do some paddle (sea kayak) on lake Huron. For 3-5 days
worth of camping. Should i buy a 17 foot (overnight kayak) or go for
expedition size (19') kayak ?
Expedition boats are good for one thing, expeditions. Their length and
high volume tends to make for an ill-handling boat when they're paddled
without a load of gear inside.

I have a 17.5 Eddyline Nighthawk, which is a high-volume expedition boat.
And even though it does handle better loaded I am not dissatisfied with it's
handling while empty either. I live in the SF Bay area so have used it
under windy conditions, though I do have to drop the skeg down in those
conditions.

Although the Nighthawk 17.5 is a boat designed for paddlers that "shop
at big and tall shops" according to the Eddyline site, I wouldn't put it
in the expedition boat class. It's designed as a touring boat for bigger
people. If you don't have any handling problems with it when it's just
carrying your day gear, enjoy it and don't worry about ballast. Since it
doesn't have a day hatch, you may want to use a float bag in the stern
compartment to keep your day gear positioned as close the to the rear
bulkhead as possible and keep it from shifting.