I've mostly paddled Wenonah boats and other race-type hulls. I paddle flatwater rivers.
I'm thinking I might want to get a different feeling boat to paddle.
The race type hulls might be feeling too "technical" and sterilely efficient. With their flat sections amidships and total flat wedge-shapes fore/aft.
I've also often paddled (and still own): a Mad River Malecite, Old Town Explorer/Tripper(?), Seda Glider kayak, Valley Pintail kayak. None of them feel like what I'm hankering for, either, for this "something new" feel.
I'm kinda doubtful that a 'freestyle' hull shape is what I'm after, either -- but who knows. Maybe some sort of Bell boat?
I did paddle a Kruger Sea Wind type of boat a few years ago but with lily-dippers and it wasn't really paddling and I don't even recall how that boat felt.
I suppose I do like a somewhat fast hull that glides good. I do NOT need cargo capacity. I hate weight. When I paddle, or bike-tour, I carry the least that I can. OK, I will carry a bit more comfort in a boat but not much. Really, about 20 lbs for a few days is fine. If I have 30 lbs I feel it in a bad way as being not very responsive anymore. I suppose I could get used to the momentum of a heavily-laden boat but just never have. I tend to paddle slow water with lots of corners and accelerating a heavy boat is UGH for me.
(I wonder a bit about the Malecite. It's a pretty thing. But both the seats and hull flex like the dickens. It has 3 seats in it. The seats hang from the gunnels and sway. The whole thing sways. I suppose it seems too wide for "the new feeling," but I was thinking of trying to stiffen it up by shoving foam sections under each seat. Maybe I could feel it more if it wasn't flexing every which way.)
Well, I know of a Sea Wind that needs a new home and do plan to give it a try.
Wondering about other people's views of the different kinds of hulls, esp as compared to the Wenonah/racer type.
I'm thinking I might want to get a different feeling boat to paddle.
The race type hulls might be feeling too "technical" and sterilely efficient. With their flat sections amidships and total flat wedge-shapes fore/aft.
I've also often paddled (and still own): a Mad River Malecite, Old Town Explorer/Tripper(?), Seda Glider kayak, Valley Pintail kayak. None of them feel like what I'm hankering for, either, for this "something new" feel.
I'm kinda doubtful that a 'freestyle' hull shape is what I'm after, either -- but who knows. Maybe some sort of Bell boat?
I did paddle a Kruger Sea Wind type of boat a few years ago but with lily-dippers and it wasn't really paddling and I don't even recall how that boat felt.
I suppose I do like a somewhat fast hull that glides good. I do NOT need cargo capacity. I hate weight. When I paddle, or bike-tour, I carry the least that I can. OK, I will carry a bit more comfort in a boat but not much. Really, about 20 lbs for a few days is fine. If I have 30 lbs I feel it in a bad way as being not very responsive anymore. I suppose I could get used to the momentum of a heavily-laden boat but just never have. I tend to paddle slow water with lots of corners and accelerating a heavy boat is UGH for me.
(I wonder a bit about the Malecite. It's a pretty thing. But both the seats and hull flex like the dickens. It has 3 seats in it. The seats hang from the gunnels and sway. The whole thing sways. I suppose it seems too wide for "the new feeling," but I was thinking of trying to stiffen it up by shoving foam sections under each seat. Maybe I could feel it more if it wasn't flexing every which way.)
Well, I know of a Sea Wind that needs a new home and do plan to give it a try.
Wondering about other people's views of the different kinds of hulls, esp as compared to the Wenonah/racer type.