jw7
June 15th, 2009, 19:02
I have a Necky Manitou Select 14'4" long and 24" wide kayak. It's made from a blend of Superlinear Polyethylene material. It weighs just 49 lbs. Above 55 lbs I would spend the extra money on a composite boat. I'm a strong paddler not concerned with all-out speed because of my paddling partners limited skills and conditioning.
The boat tracks better than all the other transitional kayaks I demoed, even when the skeg is fully retracted. I will use the boat mainly on large lakes and rivers here in Minnesota. It will go on Lake Superior on nice days. It handles rough lake water and afternoon winds well.
It has limited space for carrying camping gear, but I go light and have good quality, small, and light backpacking gear.
Minnesota is a long way away from the oceans and if I plan a big tour I would probably not drive there from MN carrying my boat on top of the car the whole way. I would rent a better boat there.
I was also looking at the Wilderness Tsunami 140 (without rudder). It's also a great transitional boat.
The boat tracks better than all the other transitional kayaks I demoed, even when the skeg is fully retracted. I will use the boat mainly on large lakes and rivers here in Minnesota. It will go on Lake Superior on nice days. It handles rough lake water and afternoon winds well.
It has limited space for carrying camping gear, but I go light and have good quality, small, and light backpacking gear.
Minnesota is a long way away from the oceans and if I plan a big tour I would probably not drive there from MN carrying my boat on top of the car the whole way. I would rent a better boat there.
I was also looking at the Wilderness Tsunami 140 (without rudder). It's also a great transitional boat.