Loving the water and living on it I recently bought Kayaks. I was thinking about this for 10 years. I use to race offshore boats and love the challenge of the water. From 145 to 5 mph but it is still me and the water. People said it would be bad for my back which goes out from time to time. So far it has been good and comfortable.

Anyway I rented with my GF and we bought a few hours later. I bought a Ocean Trident Prowler 15' and she got a Hobie Quest 13' both sit on tops. Racing boats and cars I like to go fast as possible. I noticed my paddle Bending Branches carbon shaft plastic blades leaves a bit to be desired when going fast as it seems small in the blade size. I think I could pull more blade and was thinking the Ikelos by Werner. The plastic blades on my present paddle seems to bend back on a good stroke and not to efficient. I read it was silly to buy a 400 dollar paddle for a poly boat but it has to help my travel rate I think? Any thoughts appreciated.

Now the boats I have are great & fun, I use them on the south shore of Long Island western end Nassau County. I can slide them off the boat dock and into the canal for instant fun. I then go into some 5 mph boat areas and it is fairly calm most of the time. I did go out in some 30 mph winds with a decent chop as I enjoy rougher water most. This weekend I went out Jones Inlet to the edge of the ocean some two foot chop and some bigger boat wakes. I went about 12 miles total for the day in some decent chop at times. Surprised my body didn't protest it more at 58 but I enjoy physical work also. i think I could paddle much further or most of the day at a comfrotable pace. I do take my hand held Marine radio that floats which is tied to my vest. The significant other likes the calmer water so she stayed at the beach and i continued to the ocean. She does amazingly well paddling and loves it also.

It usually seems harder for me if I am coming back with the wind and waves as it stalls the boat on the back of the waves and they following waves seem to push the boat sideways for a tough paddle at times. i am sure I could do better with more experience. i may get some paddling & safety lessons if I get the other boat from the dealer Empire. Tips appreciated on this and me!

Next I was thinking of a better faster boat for longer travel in rougher bay travel and some ocean swells. So after reading what my dealer sells and a few back issues of this forums magazine I was looking at the Soltice Titan GT by Current Designs. Being about 210 lb. and 6' I don't think I would fit in some of the smaller cockpits with 16" width. My race car seat is 17". I read a review on the similar boat the Soltice GT a bit slimmer and it seemed decent. Any thoughts on this boat and it fitting my type of water usage for most of my time is appreciated. I would like to do some day river travel also but more scenic than white water.

If you got this far thanks for listening or any insight you may have.

Next question will be cold weather clothing and safety in the cold water. I would like to still get the exercise in the winter even if it is up and down the canal and close to shore. Hobie Quest was good bang for the buck and a decent boat for the money and I steal it from her when she is not home.

Dog,
If you are really going to get into the sport in the way you indicate, you are definitely going to want to take a look at some real sea kayaks. Current Designs makes some that would fit you just fine.

Here I go again, but if you want something that will really blow your ears off, take a look at what nckayaks.com has to offer.

As for the paddle--yes I do believe that spending $400 for a paddle for the type of boat you have is a little overkill. You can get a fine paddle for less than $200 that would be more than sufficient for your boat. However, before you spend the money, it would behove you to do some research. And while you're at it, you really need to think about how you paddle. If you think you can go all out all the time, you are in for some painful education. It's much better to learn proper technique in types of strokes for boat handling and of course the all important forward stroke. Most important is moderation. Paddling is a repetitive motion activity that can cause serious injuries if done wrong and too strenuously.

Thanks for the tips.They look good but not sure if I want to buy what I cannot see in hand first. I feel better also having a dealer to deal with and NY to WA is a long way off.

I figured I could use the paddle for another boat if I spent 400 now. I'll get a paddling lesson and safety lesson in Sept they have one at my dealer. I know I can't go full bore all day. I learned a lesson many years ago at a gym I could not get dressed the next day without someone buttoning my shirt.

Thanks you for your input!

Dog, I would caution you to not buy an expensive paddle for the boat you have now and expect it to be the right paddle for your next boat. I suspect that the boat you have now is wider than what your next boat might be and you possibly sit higher than what you will in your next boat. These are only a couple of factors to consider when choosing the right paddle for a given boat.

That was crossing my ind today. I will rent a sit in composite this weekend to try it. Thanks for the tip! They get 20 per hour so I may try a few. I may try a sit in poly sea kayak/ I really want a good composite in the spring. Great part is my honey loves this also so we can share this sport. She paddles a decent distance to my surprise I just do a few circles from time to time. I have a 220 and 230 now I guess I may need shorter. they have a Werner I can try this weekend, I think it is a 220 that the ower uses nd demos with.

NC kayaks look nice and are priced right!

Dog, so you are a connoisseur of the understatement. Here's another one for your consideration: The Werner Camano is a decent paddle.

Looked at Current Design, Impex model Assateague was $2700, and Wilderness boats today. Rudder, skeg, soft chine, hard chine, I guess now is time to try one.

Rented a Current Design Soltice for two hours not bad first sit in I have been in. Found rudder really slows down your speed. How does this compare with other similar designs for choppy water? I was pretty flat today with one police boat wake and nose seemed to into the wave and not really rising much. Is this how sea kayaks run? Got used to it after 15 minutes I felt more secure in it. thanks!

Dog,
I can't tell you anything about the Solstice except they are highly regarded, but I will say that no, not all sea kayaks are alike. Some punch through waves, some ride over waves and some just bob around in waves, or some combination of all. Almost any sea kayak feels pretty good on flat water; it's when there are swells, with big chop and counter-waves coming from power boats from every angle that reveals more about the boat's design.

Don't be too quick to dismiss the merits of a rudder; some people wouldn't be without one. None of my boats has a rudder, but I sure wouldn't rule a ruddered boat out.

When I rented te boat I had a carbon paddle longer and bit more narrow than the Ilkeos. I didn't think I would like it but I think it was a good paddle shaped more like the one you recommended. Decent speed and it seemed like I could paddle forever with in. Launched today in Great South Bay LI and it was some good water. I had the GF with me so I know it was to much for her but I did get into it for a 15 minute jaunt. It was about 2.5-3' chop with waves breaking over the bow. I had my GoPro Camera on my head for some laughs. I was not flying but I could make progress. We were trying to get up to a river where it was calm. So the trip was canceled. Need to find a river launch spot.

Did get to travel with the kayak's on the roof of the Excursion. Needed a ladder and step stool to lash them down as the truck is high. Roof is weak so I had to keep my boat to the back for less weight on that front roof mount.

Rudder was good on the Solstice but if I was going far and didn't need it I would pull it up. I bought a "Sea Kayaker's Hand Book" by Shelly Johnson. Good read and I am learing a ton with it.

Can't wait to see the used Perception in the morning. Hope it is good. Took some wood in my foot yesterday on my floating dock and it sliced my foot. Today I almost did a good slip at the ramp. First thing I did on the way home was buying some neoprene Kayak shoes.

Thanks john!

Dog, I am delighted that you got hold of a sea kayaking manual. There is much to learn in order to be a prudent and careful mariner out there, and reading through several sea kayaking manuals is a very good way to pick up a lot of very useful info. You'll find that you actually will know more about serious sea kayaking by reading a couple or three manuals, than many other paddlers you'll meet, who only learn from a few remarks on the Internet or by talking with others who may know even less than they do.

Dog, If you're going to be paddling in an area with commercial and or recreational boaters in addition to kayakers; think about learning the basic rules of the road, also known as COLREGS (Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea). There are several well illustrated books available or you can get the legalize government version. If you're new to the rules definitely check out the illustrated version.
Michael

Thanks!