Subject: Re: [baidarka] Number of Boats, Was: Umiak
From: kirk olsen (kolsen@imaginelan.com)
Date: Tue Oct 16 2001 - 13:05:15 EDT
At 01:56 PM 10/16/01 +0000, you wrote:
>> Unless you are willing to commit to your
>> leans in rough and windy weather I think the HM could be dangerous.
>
>This seems like quite an overstatement to me. I've had mine out in pretty rough conditions >and it's never let me down. Yes, it can be tiring to paddle, since leans and corrective >strokes are often the order of the day. I would also recommend avoiding situations that >require quick maneuvers, as Norkapps of ANY flavor won't turn in a hurry. If this is what you >meant, fine, but I think "dangerous" is too strong a word.
A few years ago there was an incident with one of the Maine touring companies. They had
a group of their guides together for a training day. The wind came up. One trio ended up
rafting together as they were blown out to sea, to be rescued later by a fishing trawler. They rafted up because one of the participants, in an HM, wasn't able to control the boat.
IF you are willing and able to commit to leaned turns, in adverse conditions, the Nordkapp HM is fine. If you aren't, I think the combination of boat and paddler is potentially dangerous.
>On the plus side, when you're out to make tracks in comfortable conditions, the HM is >superbly suited. Although I haven't used mine for anything other than day trips, I've heard >from other owners that it really comes into its own when loaded.
It does track straight and is moderately fast. I've tried to race it a few times and it generates
quite a side wake when pushed.
>One thing that really surprised me was the large number of Nordkapps at the Delmava >Retreat. It's hardly what I would call a "Greenland" boat and it's poorly suited to learning >Greenland skills (that's why I built an SOF boat), but it must have something going for it if >so many experienced paddlers choose it.
Uh oh, the argument "they have one it must be good" ;-) I would expect the experience paddlers to be willing to commit to leaned turns in nearly any conditions...
Despite my bias, my wife loves the Nordkapp HM and has no interest in trying let alone paddling anything else. I do paddle our Nordkapp, and have paddled it in entertaining conditions, you just need to be able to commit to leaned turns in whatever may come your way.
kirk
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