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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: kayak choices and needs
Posted By: Karl In Response To: kayak choices and needs (steve)
Date: Thursday, 3 March 2005, at 12:32 a.m.
: In anycase, I have found some boats that most likely fit my needs. I am
: 5'10", 175lbs. I want a fast boat that can be raced in, but also want
: to use it for some touring trips.: These are my current options: 1. Romany Explorer - glass
: 2. Wilderness Tempest 170 (maybe 165 for my size?)- plastic
: 3. Kajak-Sport Viviane - this may actually to be too high performance for my
: everyday touring needs
: 4. Necky Chatham 17 - Looks like a fun boat, but it may be too slow for my
: race needs.Sell your car and get two boats!
Just kidding...hey, I have extensive experience in all but the C17 (paddled only a bit in Force 5 winds, but not in flat water), and here is my two cents.Only the Viv would be good for racing, it is great once you get above 5kn. But at 3-4kn, it is a slug, and does not have what I would call a "playful" personality. The playful aspect is great in all the other boats, and there are only minor personality quirks between them. Also, the Viv would be huge on you, kinda like driving a Ford F-350 around. But wow, for guiding trips, it is great-I put a huge butane canister in the front compartment, for a 7-day self support with clients. Holds as much as some doubles.
The C17, T-160, and NDK would fit you well, the T-170 might be a bit large, not unreasonable. The gear capacity is best on the NDK, with the 170 close. The 165 is low on gear room, at least for guiding, and the C17 isn't big, either. The NDK's 10" hatches puts constraints on gear loading, for some people (I had an NDK Ex for years, and it didn't bother me; bothers some people). But I do like the big VCP hatches fore/aft on the C17;BTW, I have a plastic C16, and the hatches stay on even while getting cartwheeled in 6ftsurf. Not always the case with some hatches...
I know some people that have sold their NDK's because of one issue, they can be a bitch to turn upwind above 20kn, unless you are both strong and skilled. This is not an isolated incident,BTW. But, the NDK is the only boat I would like to own without a skeg at all(I am thinking of getting another one, without the skeg). Just remarkable in Force 4, even 5,without need for a skeg.
Otherwise, those are stunning boats to have fun with in nasty water, they will not limit you (not talking about the Viv).
A critical point, if you race, do not get plastic. Never. Fine when new, but the stuff is so soft that it gouges easy, gets frayed, and noticeably slower. For racing, keeping your boat fair is critical.
The resistance close to hull speed for these boats will not be drastically different. If you are strong enough to push them at, or exceed hull speed, oddly enough the T170 may be better than the longer NDK (nasty wave formation at higher speeds). If you race at or below 5kn, the lower wetted surface of the T165 may be best! But then there is the plastic issue...
You mentioned the C17, any chance of getting a C18? Long water line, low wetted surface, and still wicked good fun, especially in following seas. Could be the best for your needs.karl
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