The End of an Era--The White Whale rolled out of my driveway atop the roof racks of the Subaru of a friend and fellow paddler. Sad to see a dear companion leave, but she looked good up there, and will have a fine home with her new owner. 24 years of history, and some great trips, that will be long remembered.

Magic, what is the White Whale and do you plan to replace her with something, or was she already in retirement? Either way, you deserve credit for keeping her safe and sound for all those years. It pains me to see nice boats left to the elements.

My beloved Dirigo 17, the White Whale, had been in semi-retirement since 1995, when I completed my highly-customized CLC Patuxent 17 and launched it as my primary boat; the Dirigo then became my Winter boat because of its extraordinary stability.

But the Patuxent is just as heavy as the Dirigo, and, as I'm not getting any younger no matter how hard I try, I'll be getting a much lighter craft quite soon--thinking about an Epic 16X.

Magic, may I suggest you take a look at what Novus Composites (NC Kayaks) has to offer? Check them out at nckayaks.com.

I assure you that these are the most beautiful boats you have ever seen and are available in some very light versions. My Expedition weighs about 50 lbs. The 17'-2" boats are considerably lighter. Let me also assure you that NC boats are fast, extremely stable and track like nothing else.

NC boats have many very unique features that make them very special and once you see how well they work and how well built they are, nothing else will do.

I think their recent sale has expired but I wouldn't be surprised if they extend it for a while longer. Their website is very thorough, but I can't stress enough that the pictures just can't do justice to these gorgeous boats and the craftsmanship that goes into them.

Steve

I also suggst that you check out CD's Cypress. I've been paddling mine (not the demo) for three weeks. Every time I get in it, I love it even more!

I let a good friend test paddle it and below is what he wrote in our little ad hoc group trip report:

"Debbie just got a new kayak; a Current Designs Cypress in kevlar. It sure is nice. I asked to paddle it at our lunch stop and she hesitated. I promised not to leap over any logs in it and she reluctantly let me try it out. I feel privileged--even Tom hasn't been allowed in it yet. It handled very nice, it edges effortlessly, accelerates quick, is very fast, and has very good directional stability. The primary stability is light which would make it sketchy for a beginner, but that also makes it perform better, and Debbie is no beginner. I much prefer it that way. I humbly asked for permission to roll it and I was allowed. It worked great and rolls as easy as my Tempest. Current designs did a good job on this kayak. It is pink on the top and gold on the bottom. The gold I believe is the kevlar with a clear finish over it. The kevlar weave looks nice. Debbie is all excited about it and has plans to color coordinate her paddle and pfd, etc. with the kayak so she can paddle in high style. It's fun when people are excited and happy about things."

Just a suggestion, as an alternative to Magooch's NC. I swear they are paying him to promote their boats.;)
deb

Yeah, I wish. No, Deb, NC isn't paying me, but like you, I am so totally thrilled with my new boat that I just can't help myself. Hey, I also am a fan of CD boats; remember, I have one and it too is a great boat.

To tell the truth, I would have to say that the NC boats are probably not for every paddler. The one thing they don't do as easily as some boats is maneuver. They are designed to track and go fast. However, I have learned to manage the Expedition just fine. The other thing they do is handle rough water. The initial and secondary stability is unbelievable.

Now see what you did. You got me started.

WoW! I just went through all 7 pages about this boat. What an interesting history lesson in kayaking! My husband has been paddling since the mid 70's. He is orginally from upstate New York. He has an old 14 ft White Bros. roto WW(?) kayak. He bought two for $125 ea in the late 70's. We sold one a few months back for...$125! He cannot part with the second one, too much history. We still use 'ole Blue.

You have inspired me to try to find some history on his kayaking antique. Great thread!

My fellow paddler who carried off my Dirigo reported that he paddled it for the first time the very next day. The first boater he encountered on the water remarked to him what a very handsome boat the Dirigo was/is! I am at peace.

Thanks to Magooch and Deb for your suggestions as to which boat should replace my Patuxent. I know that both of you (and everybody else out there in Kayakland) give your boats at least a 9 and more likely a 10 out of 10 (don't we all?). But as I've indicated in some other posts, for me, sea kayaking is a Head Trip--I'm not a picky paddler when it comes to boats; I just want a boat to get me there and back. (Besides, how many meaningful differences can there be among 200 models of roughly 17-foot, 22-inch beam sea kayaks?)

With that in mind, I was looking for a boat with a slightly wider beam than my 22-inch Patuxent, a rudder (always), and much lighter weight. So I got the Epic 16X (after test-paddling it), and got a kayak that actually is a little bit different. I'm sure I'll discover things about it that are less than perfect, but, like all of my boats, I'll learn to live with them, and continue to have a fabulous time out on the water.

Sorry I missed the quick sale of the "White Whale". I was busy fishing.
Someday I'll find one, or an alternative. Actually, I've been thinking about building my own. I've been looking at Chesapeake Light Craft and the like. Cool stuff.

Bilnik

Bilnik, browsing through the CLC catalog, especially on a cold, windy, wet, dreary day, is one of the great pleasures of our time. So many great boats! And you can build them all!

Strange Magic- I think I'm going to start off with the N.E.er' Sailing Dory. I've got kids and they need to learn sailing basics. Plus it would be a cool way to camp up here in the ADK's. Then maybe a kayak.
Just repainted the Dirigo 17 for duck season when I return from AK. Its still floating.
Have a good autumn.

Bilnik

Thanks, Bilnik. I'll indeed have a great autumn--here in Jersey, we call the season from Labor Day right through into November the "Sea Kayakers' Summer"--most of the jet skis, cigarette boats, other stinkpots clogging the waterways are gone, leaving clean, open water for the kayakers. Best paddling of the year!

So far, really grooving on the new Epic 16X--great boat for surfing chop on the Bay. Good luck with the dory--you can't go wrong with a dory.

Hi Bilnik - I just noticed a Dirigo 17 on the Portland CL. I was unfamiliar with the boat and did some research and found you little club. This one is being offered for $1450. Good price? I've got way to many boats already so am not interested but thought you might want to track this one down. Search "dirigo 17" in the Portland, Oregon Craigslist and you'll find it .. due to rules, I don't think I can offer you the link here. And, no, I am not the one selling it. Just looked like an interesting boat and I thought I might help match you up with a 2nd (or 3rd?) D17. Cheers!

N.Wet- Sorry, thats too far, if its still available.
Thanks for the heads up though, you should buy it! I'm down to one D17.
I'll be paddling her hard though the next few months.
Bilnik

I bought my Dirigo 17 in Blue Hill Maine in the '80's, serial # DIG 10261 D787. It was the vanguard of the Canadian/American free trade agreement since I paddled it across the border to avoid paying the duty. It is still in excellent condition. Long ago I replaced the original, cramp generating, one toe steering, and added the sailing kit they recommended at the time. That kit into the garbage can beside the cramp generator a week later, and I replaced the sail with a golf umbrella. The Dirigo, (stupid name) still turns heads wherever I paddle and lowering myself into the beautiful steam bent ash cockpit is like sliding back into the womb.