Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout

Posted By: Joan Spinner
Date: Sunday, 21 January 2001, at 9:21 p.m.

In Response To: Re: Some Experience Here. (Ian Johnston)

I have paddled the Cape Horne and at least sat in the Storm. I LOVE the Current Desings boats. I own 2 of them. The Storm is a really big boat for a big, tall paddler. I'm 5'7" and my knees didn't come to the thigh braces. It was way more than wide enough for my bulk.

The Cape Horne is a bit smaller. I had a ball in it. Though I prefer boats with a skeg the CH was just fine without the rudder. It rolls like a champ and edges well. It is a hard chine, plastic boat which makes it really different from the Storm. The shear volume of the Storm makes it look attractive but the 2 people I know who paddle them lust after "better" boats. The Cape Horn owners just lust after a longer, glass version of what they have.

If you want a boat to last, I agree that the glass version may be better unless you are anticating a lot of running on and off of beaches. You are less likely to loose a bulkhead, UV doesn't get to them as badly and if you are in freezing conditions, the glass boat will be less vulnerable than the platic. Plastic will shatter when frozen. It is MUCH easier to retrofit glass than plastic. If it breaks on a trip you can fix the glass but mybe not fix plastic at all at times.

There is a Cape Horne Lite, the glass version. But I'd look for a longer boat than that. As much as I'd love to see a longer version I don't yet see one long enough. It just isn't worth all that money for an extra foot of boat. When I do see one 17' or so, I will probably risk the domestic rift and buy one.

I'm wondering what made you choose two such different boats? Size is there but one has no chine and the other is a hard chine. The CH doesn't have the capasity the Storm has. Wilderness Systems and Current Designes are two of the best names out there but other than being plastic and will take a large paddler, what were you looking for?

Joan Spinner

Messages In This Thread

Buying Kayak without tryout
Ron -- Saturday, 20 January 2001, at 7:52 p.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
Tim Mattson -- Saturday, 20 January 2001, at 9:54 p.m.

Re: Durability
Ian Johnston -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 3:01 a.m.

Re: Durability
Tom -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 10:12 a.m.

Re: Durability
Tim Mattson -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 10:52 a.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
Tom -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 10:10 a.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
Paul nevels -- Sunday, 28 September 2003, at 8:45 p.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
Mark -- Saturday, 20 January 2001, at 11:04 p.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
FBC -- Sunday, 21 January 2001, at 11:41 a.m.

Re: Some Experience Here.
Ian Johnston -- Sunday, 21 January 2001, at 2:55 p.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
Joan Spinner -- Sunday, 21 January 2001, at 9:21 p.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
Hugh -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 11:26 a.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
Mark Drozda -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 11:51 a.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
mike M -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 7:31 p.m.

Re: Buying a CD Kayak
Ray -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 11:56 a.m.

Re: Buying
dave mcadoo -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 1:30 p.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
J. Byrne -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 3:36 p.m.

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