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Ok, the situation as I see it (could be wrong), we have a new paddler getting into the sport because of significant other. She is of a reasonable size (all things considered). Now, I know this board is focused mainly on park and play, and playboaters, but is that honestly what we should be throwing the new paddler in?
All I have heard mentioned so far has been primarily playboats. Now, I do love playboating, and I think it is one of the best types of paddling around, but my first season I was just happy to be on the water. By the time the paddler gets really good, there will already be about two generations of playboats. The playboat we put the new paddler in today will be obsolete by the end of the season (especially considering the EVO and XXX are being highly recomended, these boats are already obsolete, XXX more so than the EVO).
Ok, so I just want to pick a fight, but that's besides the point. I think something that needs to be addressed is, what kind of water will be considered primary paddling? Is she going to be doing play runs or bigger water? How much time will she have on the water? Is she even interested in playboating (granted how could anyone not be interested)?
I try to be objective when talking about boats for people. Everyone has a different taste when it comes to the boats they want to paddle. In an ideal world, everyone would have about 7 different boats (big water play, low water play, river running play, sqirt, touring, Low volume Creek, high volume creek, and many more, I like all kinds of boats), but we don't always live in an ideal world.
Here is something to consider. Why not put a new paddler in a river running playboat. Sure they won't be doing the all the "hot" moves, but they should be able to run bigger water by the end of a season. Not to mention, they won't be looking to sell the boat at the end of one season, to buy the next best boat. Most river running playboats stay with a person long after they have moved on to a different boat. The river running playboat gets pulled out for some of the "hair" runs that a person would not feel comfortable running in their new hot playboat.
Another point I would like to make, why are people recomending all the new boats? why not buy a used boat, and save a couple $, and wait to see if the person actually likes paddling as much as we do. It is nice to assume that everyone would like kayaking (how could they not), but it isn't true. I know lots of people that think I am insane to be kayaking (among others my grandmother). Kayaking isn't for everyone. Putting a rather large capital investment into a sport one does not know they will like isn't one of the best ideas. Buy used, try out the sport, and ultimately see if one likes it.
The buying used helps support my idea of buying a river running playboat. Most of the hot new designs are hard to find on the used market. Sure you could go back one season and buy some good boats at a decent deal, but to be honest, last seasons boats aren't the best for beginers (few exceptions, but most of last seasons boats were very slicey, and harder to handle). But we can also tie this in with where the paddler will be paddling. If it is primarily park and play, low consequence, then there is no reason not to get a hard boat to handle. They will learn valuable skills in a difficult boat, and ultimately they will get better. But if the person plans on paddling some bigger water, a more forgiving boat would be recomended.
Hrm...I should probably draw out a diagram of this at some point in time. There are lots of ifs to be worked out. Lots of variables to be considered. I am just trying to clarify things, and get people to think a little bit.
I am not opposed to any particular boat, but the boat should fit the situation. I am not entirely sure that the hottest playboat out today will fit the situation. but then again, this is only my point of view. Take care, and feel free to give me a hollar and we can argue this over some more (or we could just try to hash this out here on BT).
Tom M.
trmonnig@hotmail.com |
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I have some time... New 
BoaterTalk 
