Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum and to BC paddling (I moved to Victoria six months ago). I'm looking to buy a boat, so seek advice/ideas/secret boat buying leads here from the many wise folk around....
My info: in skill level terms, I have BCU 2* award (not sure how that translates to Canadian - basically flat water paddling, braces, some rescues) plus maybe 6 or 10 days sea kayaking experience and a little bit of moving water experience (messing about at the local weir). I look forward to learning to paddle better! I'm a smaller guy (66kg/145lb, 172cm/5'8").
What I'm looking for: a boat for day trips and non-excessive camping trips. Looking for a skeg boat rather than a rudder. Something that is maneuverable, rather than a whale, but forgiving towards a relatively inexperienced paddler who wants to get out and explore the BC coast.
Plastic or fibreglass? Ultimately, fibreglass seems to be the way (faster etc) - but advice so far leads me to plastic for a first boat (cheaper, harder to break whilst inexperienced).
What I've looked at so far: paddled a current designs sirocco down at ocean river sports yesterday. Seemed to work okay for me, but (or perhaps even though) it was pretty windy/choppy at the time.
So - thoughts/views/recommendations requested - be they general or specific!
Thanks,
Colin
I'm new to this forum and to BC paddling (I moved to Victoria six months ago). I'm looking to buy a boat, so seek advice/ideas/secret boat buying leads here from the many wise folk around....
My info: in skill level terms, I have BCU 2* award (not sure how that translates to Canadian - basically flat water paddling, braces, some rescues) plus maybe 6 or 10 days sea kayaking experience and a little bit of moving water experience (messing about at the local weir). I look forward to learning to paddle better! I'm a smaller guy (66kg/145lb, 172cm/5'8").
What I'm looking for: a boat for day trips and non-excessive camping trips. Looking for a skeg boat rather than a rudder. Something that is maneuverable, rather than a whale, but forgiving towards a relatively inexperienced paddler who wants to get out and explore the BC coast.
Plastic or fibreglass? Ultimately, fibreglass seems to be the way (faster etc) - but advice so far leads me to plastic for a first boat (cheaper, harder to break whilst inexperienced).
What I've looked at so far: paddled a current designs sirocco down at ocean river sports yesterday. Seemed to work okay for me, but (or perhaps even though) it was pretty windy/choppy at the time.
So - thoughts/views/recommendations requested - be they general or specific!
Thanks,
Colin