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Re: Skin-on-Frame: Maybe a canoe-kayak hybrid?
By:Kris Buttermore
Date: 8/27/2007, 10:17 am
In Response To: Re: Skin-on-Frame: Maybe a canoe-kayak hybrid? (Guy Bouchard)

: I know you are right.

But you still want to ignore the advice?

: But kayaking is not my first sport.

Be sure you don't make it your last!!!

: I really like it but i try to do it once
: a week when i can. I get back to kayak to improve my abs since it is the
: funniest way to improve this part of my body.

I'm lucky to get on the water once a week. The majority of kayakers are weekend only types. This does not make learning basic skills optional. On the contrary, it makes them even more critical.

: I am in Gaspésie (Québec, Canada) so summer is
: short (usually for me kayaking could be done from june to august. Dry suit
: or at least a good wetsuit is needed outside this period).

The colder the water - the more important the skills you develop. Rolling minimizes immersion time and increases your available options.

: I need to go
: somewhere else if i want to take kayak lesson even to rent a kayak. It
: seem, i can't try anything outside a regular sit-inside kayak or a big,
: slow and short sit-on-top in Quebec. I am in a wonderful place for
: kayaking but it is not an easy thing to do to learn the proper way.

Taught myself to how to roll. I've driven long distances to demo boats (as much as 8 hours each way. I've ordered boats on the Internet, and built my own.

: So, for my need, i was thinking about a narrow sit-on-top

In my experience, a "narrow" sit-on-top will require MORE skill to keep upright than a "narrow" sit-in - precisely because you are not as well connected. May be easier to get on and off, but you'll have to do it more and be more exposed as well.

: or canoe-kayak hybrid...

Maybe just use a canoe? They are right for many people.

: ...where i could paddle with my Greenland paddle.

I prefer GP with narrow (sub 22") beam craft - and find it is increasingly less optimal (less like a GP) as beams get wider.

: I prefer the kayak
: body workout over the canoe body workout.
: I am alright in my canoe but my
: shoulder are hurting after a short run. No problem when kayaking.

There are many who use double blade paddles in their canoes.

: Someone
: know a beast i could use to have fun once or twice a week without needing
: to learn wet exit (i think i am now a not too bud kayak handler)?

A wet exit is a MANDATORY and BASIC ENTRY LEVEL SKILL. This applies regardless of what type of kayak.

Many get SOT for the same "reasons" you cite, and never practice getting on and off in deep water. Many of these just assume they can do it - and that it will be easy - requires no practice, etc. A foolish mistake. SOME are easy, for SOME people. Not so for all. Many simply cannot do it, particularly if tired or in the sort of situation that would have dumped them in the first place.

NEVER USER GEAR AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR BASIC SKILLS!!!

Anyone who kayaks and is not comfortable with wet exits (from practicing them until they become boring) is putting themselves at great risk for no good reason. PLEASE do not be one of these people.

If you are afraid of certain aspects of kayaking, either develop the skills needed to let you enjoy it - or don't do it. If you are half as good at developing skills as you are at making excuses you will be fine.

Messages In This Thread

Re: Skin-on-Frame: Maybe a canoe-kayak hybrid? *LINK*
Dave Houser -- 8/25/2007, 12:47 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Maybe a canoe-kayak hybrid?
Guy Bouchard -- 8/26/2007, 8:06 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Maybe a canoe-kayak hybrid?
Kris Buttermore -- 8/27/2007, 10:17 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Maybe a canoe-kayak hybrid?
Guy Bouchard -- 8/27/2007, 10:09 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Maybe a canoe-kayak hybrid?
Tom Yost -- 8/28/2007, 1:36 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Maybe a canoe-kayak hybrid?
Guy Bouchard -- 8/31/2007, 8:40 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Maybe a canoe-kayak hybrid?
Guy Bouchard -- 9/12/2007, 9:19 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Maybe a canoe-kayak hybrid?
Bill Hamm -- 8/27/2007, 4:21 am