: It is a high tech product. If you take care I don't think you will have any
: problem at all, the critical parts looks strong enough.

: Otherwise it is the same reason you don't se anny wood strip kayaks in the
: renting buisness

hi hans
i saw an article in wavelength magazine a while back where some rental company is intentionally using wood ply kayaks for a large portion of their business as so many people want to rent the nice wood kayaks. So if it made economic sense for these guys, i bet they'll add a robust(extra glass) strip yak in a while just to see what reaction they get. If it was me renting, i sure would want the wood ones just to try out. So in some way, for some portion of the fleet, it may be worth doing.

as far as the sealine rudder approach versus say the seaward or feathercraft type rudder, i find the comparison interesting and i wonder where you and lee come down in which gives the best utility and is safer?

the rear hinge model(sealine)always has the rudder sticking out somewhere so that levered damage is more likely as the end is way out there, however it is more slim inline w/ the yak when it is right back so maybe more safe when clambering up on the back deck in a rescue or whatever. On the other hand the high hinge model is able to rotate 270deg and get the end of the rudder slightly braced in a 'V'block, but the rudder is always exposed highish on the rear deck making rear rescues watching out from being snagged. either one of the rudder types can get impact damaged on the shore or beach if the yak rolls or backs into the rocks, as the rudder is always exposed whether up or down or on the back deck. like if its rolled, or backed or dragged upright or upside down - all have damage potential.

Aside from the sand jamming, i guess thats why a skeg is so superior for many in that it can retract right out of sight, but lousy for newcomers/rentals as 'how do you steer that thing without a rudder???' or 'all our kayaks come fully equipped with rudders'

-mick