Submitted: 01-20-2003 by LeeG
This is a follow-up to the review of 5/02. I took the Coho on a week long trip in Maine last fall as I wanted a boat with better glide for long distance paddling than the Express I took the year before. The subjective nature of evaluating a kayak was really brought home on the second day as the first day of managing in winds was making the aspect of weathercocking a possible chore compared to my Express. Mysteriously the 'problem' disappeared over the following days, even as winds pumped up to 20mph with 2' waves. The transition from 14hrs car time to kayak time requires a little adjustment. Carrying 5 1/2 gallons of water plus a full load of gear made for a heavy boat but the flip side of it is feeling like being in a sports car while day paddling unloaded,,,and having a boat that responded well while unloaded. As much as everyone want's a skinny "fast" boat I've got to admit there's something to be said for having a kayak with enough beam that bringing ones legs out and dangling them over either side for a break/stretch/nap isn't a bad thing. Buddhas observations are valid if the boat in question wasn't outfitted for him, the nature of home built boats is that the seat/hip/thigh outfitting can be good or awful according to the builder/user. Given the overall handling envelope that the design is working towards, speed, efficiency at crusing speeds, maneuverabilty,load carrying, stability I find the nature of wave handling from the stern and weathercocking acceptable (these two areas seem to be where designs can show their limitations). Until other designs show up in mult panel s&g this is the best all around kayak kit available in the med/large displacement category. |