I've been out in my new boat (C.D. Caribou) maybe 15 times. It rolls like a dream (it must if it is me rolling it). Carves a turn and goes like a rocket.
This boat is above my skill level, but I am working hard to catch up. I love reading about you folks that know your boats.... debating the different styles and attributes. I live to get in this boat. With the grand recession I am on work share on half time and the new yak is the ticket for an escape. Paddle on dudes!!!!

My wife and I each have a rotomolded Current Design Storm. She always uses her rudder but I only use it when the wind is fairly strong from the rear and I use it more like a skeg. They are roomy enough for extended camping but heavy for portageing when we have gone to Boundry Waters Canoe Area.

venture skye 17 and perception carolina 14 and for fishing a native manta ray 14.5

Started with Folbot Greenland II double. Then supplemented with Folbot Cooper for a sportier kayak. Then an old ocean-cockpited Nordkapp HS (1987) dropped from the sky and recently purchased a playboat VCP Avocet.

I like:
- Nordkapp for long-distance travel,
- Avocet for playing,
- Cooper for bringing on trips away from home and on planes,
- Greenland II for taking the entire house along with you on camping trips that don't require long-distance paddling and for sailing.

I share your passion for touring boats...for me touring is the best sea kayaking has to offer. I paddle a fiberglass Enetai, Seaworthy´s most capable touring boat. Off the top of my head, the waterline is 17 feet and it has a beam of 22 inches. I paddle the high volume model which gives me plenty of space for gear, as well as room to wiggle in the cockpit. Excellent hatch designs, though the front one is small, everything stays dry even when you bury the bow in the back of a wave. It rides great when loaded and the long waterline gives it great speed for its volume. Actually, great speed for any boat. It is nimble, but its secondary stability is excellent. Tom Wilkinson hand builds each boat, and the craftsmanship is excellent. Great lines as well. My only complaint has less to do with the boat and more to do with my skills: It is difficult to role compared to lower volume boats. That´s the nature of a high volume boat though. I have been a sea kayak guide in Southeast Alaska for nearly ten years now and have paddled dozens of hulls and thousands of miles. The Enetai is the finest boat I have ever paddled.
Alec Dickinson
Ketchikan, Alaska.

I'm pretty much brand new to Kayaking. I have a Delta Expedition 17 with tons of space for gear. I did a solo 5 night 6 day trip on Georgian Bay south of Parry Sound, Ontario this summer.

Here is a link to some pics of the trip.
http://s203.photobucket.com/albums/aa170/Funkyadventure/Misc/Kayak%20Trip/?albumview=slideshow

My 1st and only: Hurricane Tracer 165

Currently paddle a P&H Capella 163. Thinking of adding a NDK Explorer or maybe a Sterling Kayaks Illusion, although I don`t like buying a boat without an extensive test paddle. The Illusion gets great reviews.

Owning a small fleet of 13 Seayaks - my favorite is the Azul Sultan which you no longer can buy unfortunately. After owning and paddling the QCC700 my Azul, Sultan out preforms quality and I can paddle just as fast with out trying against the QCC700X. I'm a 60 yr old female 5'5" weighing in at 125 lbs, both boats are considered to big for me - lol, I've had no problem with boats being too big for me. You can be bigger built and not have the strength to paddle either.
Noticed Riot Kayak makes a boat very simular to the Sultan, if I'm not mistaken Azul had some interface with Riot prior to going out of buisness, maybe the new Riot, Sea Kayak is the same boat - still checking that one out. If anyone has the facts on this please inform me as I really love the Azul, Sultan. If they went out of buisness I feel it had to because they made to much of a good boat for the money, they lost out. Only my opinion as to the quality and handling of the boat I own and paddle, my FAVORITE over all. The Azul Sultan :-)

Old Town Cayuga 146. Love this kayak. I am 200 pounds, 5'9" and this thing can handle some pretty bad conditions. It also keeps up with alot of the faster 17-18 foot kayaks. Oh, and it turns on a dime and holds alot of cargo.
Thanks,
Patrick

I previously owned a capella 163, beautiful orange on orange boat. I currently paddle a Talon (Peregrine Kayaks). I've loved both and would recommend either.

Thanks for the pictures !! Very nice :-> Beginner ? You've got way more gear than me !!

NYCmitch25,
Great boat, gear and pics! What a beautiful destination for not only your first year or so, but to go there on a solo... NICE!
Paddle Safe,
Patrick

My first boats:
Started with a Prijon Seayak - a great, bombproof all-rounder.
Feathercraft Khatsalano S - beautiful Greenland style boat and fast. Unfortunately got annoyed by having to maintain it so recently sold it after 8 years.

My current boats:
Paddling Perfection Euro-X - fast boat and well behaved in the rough stuff (non-Kiwis can check out www.paddlingperfection.com to see what I'm talking about)
Fenn XT surfski - even faster boat, great fun for catching runs.
Cleaver-X K1 - very fast, but only for flatwater!

I'm currently lusting after a Chatham 16 in plastic. Would be a great fun play boat and a secure boat for my wife who's an occasional paddler.

Current Designs Suka in kevlar/fg
North Shore Shoreline Fuego (1997) fg
Hurricane Aquasports Tampico 135S Trylon ABS
Dagger Blast ww boat

The Fuego and Blast are no longer made so I consider them
very lucky finds.
The Suka was custom ordered by a CD rep & purchased from him
last season... another stroke of luck.

These boats are all quite different but all make me smile....