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Launching: Merlin Canoe *LINK* *Pic*
By:Kurt Maurer
Date: 11/19/2007, 7:15 pm

I took "Merle" for a little 4-mile paddle late this afternoon, had a splendid time. Handling was pretty much as I expected after having spent a day in a bud's Wenonah Advantage. I'm very happy with the way she feels both at primary, and in secondary, stability; I think this is going to be a fun boat.

I tried something for the first time ever, and that was using a kayak double paddle in a canoe. I reckon I'll be carrying that rascal along in case I need serious horsepower... at least, for a while. The single paddle just feels like, well, half a paddle next to what a double can deliver -- in the hands of this as-yet unskilled solo canoeist. The jury's still out on how I'll take to "traditional" canoeing, but I'm bound to give it a fair whirl.

The seat was fine at 10" off the floor (high, by most accounts). Made switching to a kneeling position a breeze, and kneeling was great fun for radically carving and edging turns. I had the gunnels in the water several times. Standing up was no problem. Now to get a kneel pad, and install a foot brace.

Finished weight is 33 lbs on the button. It's a little delicate, I can already tell, but that's something I'm willing to live with in return for sprightly performance and ease of handling off the water. But the "floorboard" feels nice and solid; it has one layer each of 6-oz and 4-oz inside and outside the football.

Cheers,
Kurt Maurer
League City, Texas

Messages In This Thread

Launching: Merlin Canoe *LINK* *Pic*
Kurt Maurer -- 11/19/2007, 7:15 pm
Re: Launching: Merlin Canoe
Pedro Almeida -- 11/23/2007, 2:08 pm
Re: Launching: Merlin Canoe
Bill Hamm -- 11/23/2007, 1:44 am
Re: Launching: Merlin Canoe
Kurt Maurer -- 11/23/2007, 10:49 am
Re: Launching: Merlin Canoe
Bill Hamm -- 11/24/2007, 3:00 am
A REAL beauty Kurt! *NM*
Bob Deutsch -- 11/21/2007, 9:54 pm
Very pretty!
John Caldeira -- 11/21/2007, 8:46 pm
Re: Launching: Merlin Canoe
Bryan Hansel -- 11/20/2007, 2:37 pm
Nice job - seat info?
Jay Babina -- 11/20/2007, 9:08 am
Re: Nice job - seat info? *LINK*
Kurt Maurer -- 11/20/2007, 10:47 am
Re: Launching: Merlin Canoe
John Van Buren -- 11/20/2007, 7:13 am
Re: Launching: Merlin Canoe *LINK*
John Schroeder -- 11/19/2007, 8:29 pm
Re: Launching: Merlin Canoe
Kurt Maurer -- 11/19/2007, 9:04 pm
Re: Launching: Merlin Canoe
Glen Smith -- 11/19/2007, 9:36 pm
Re: Launching: Merlin Canoe *Pic*
Kurt Maurer -- 11/20/2007, 10:52 am
Here's How It Works *Pic*
Kurt Maurer -- 11/20/2007, 11:01 am
Re: Here's How It Works
Mike Savage -- 11/21/2007, 9:51 am
Thanks Kurt, clear as a bell! *NM*
Glen Smith -- 11/20/2007, 11:11 am
Re: Launching: Merlin Canoe
Glen Smith -- 11/19/2007, 7:40 pm
Re: Launching: Merlin Canoe
Gary Kvasnicka -- 11/19/2007, 7:37 pm