Recent content by NikonF5user

Odd to start this as summer is approaching, but I've been thinking I need to jump into the hot tent camping cadre next year - not really necessary here in Maryland, but it would be nice to do more up north in the winter. Before I dive in, figured I'd check here to see whether anyone has hot tent...

78" ????? That's getting into SUP territory...

Any sense as to whether this will be able to be retrofitted onto older boats with the same rail setup?

Road Toad is among the lightest and most utilitarian small camper trailers. I have a 4 cylinder Subaru Crosstrek and have been debating getting a trailer - have done a TON of research and have centered on that brand - but it doesn't have all the "bells and whistles" of some of the others. It's...

I had not considered that - I do mainly kneel. I also have a tendency to roll my ankle at times, which means I usually prefer hikers for portaging. I wet foot now using Merrill Moab III ventilated boots. They are not designed to be water shoes, but as they are not waterproof they work just fine...

I feel like I have been debating between these shoes for years now - with the REI sale this week I think I am going to splurge on one of them - but I simply cannot decide which. It seems a bit like the Astral TR1 Merge 2.0 is ideal for the portage portions of a trip, but the Astral Rassler 2.0...

From what I have read, the T-Formex lite is not only a thinner material, but also lighter parts as well. So it is a full package and not just a difference in layup. Apparently this is why you can only get T-Formex lite in some models, Esquif apparently needs to structure the lighter components...

A complication with rocker is that there is no industry standard for the measurement. Is it the difference in "height" from 12" from the stem, difference from the lowest point on the hull, or difference from some other point? Any of them can count as a rocker measurement - so comparing rocker...

I have strong feelings about this - I think many companies fail to recognize how empowering a productive combination of social media and web presence can be - Bill Swift is pretty good at it - but a coordinated Facebook / YouTube / Instagram / Website presence is lacking for most manufacturers...

I am surprised to see references to a difference in dimensions between Swift and Bell StarFIREs - does anyone know if this holds true for the WildFIRE as well? My Swift WildFIRE feels a bit more playful than did my Bell (but the Bell I had was an early white-gold layup, and from what I have read...

Sounds like you're in the market for a Hornbeck!

Oh man - I was out there this weekend! Just a few miles away. Cool stuff! P.S. AAAAWWWEEEEESSSSOOOOMMMMEEEEE BOAT!!!!

If you watch YouTube videos about the Phoenix, you'll see many paddlers using it with a double-bladed paddle. The WF would be similar. Not something I personally do (mainly because I typically kneel), but I do not see why it wouldn't work. Here is a video of a Phoenix being paddled with a...

One thing about the WildFIRE is that it responds VERY well to corrective strokes. If you are into "hit and switch" paddling, the WildFIRE (or Phoenix for that matter) will likely not be as enjoyable for you. If you enjoy C-strokes and J-strokes and/or maneuvering with "freestyle" techniques...

The WildFIRE is my all-time favorite boat, so I am biased, but here are some thoughts about the two in comparison. First off, I am positive that if you do some searching through the threads on this forum, you will find many comparisons between the two. But here are my $0.02 worth: The WildFIRE...