> Anyone have experience with the CLC West River series, especially the new
> 2nd generation version? How do they paddle? What type of stability? How
> fast are they? How do they track? How hard are they to build? And why do
> you see so many pictures of CLC boats with painted hulls and Pygmy's
> aren't?

Ron, CLC was kind enough to let me try out their new 180(?) West River, It is capable of being moved very fast, . It is a stiff tracking boat. It is very predictable leaning and bracing up. It's not tippy, but requires some attention getting into from a high dock. The whole primary/secondary terms of stability I think are kind of non-descriptive for dynamic characteristics. I have made boats from both companies, I have painted the hulls bright colors,and varnished the deck for my enjoyment while paddling. The whole issue of visibility is handled a lot of ways. bright yellow hat while paddling dark wooden boat, bright yellow hull/varnished deck (paddler doesn't have to see yellow while paddling)etc. As far as why companies market their boats differently,Who knows why people do what they do, reasons are sometimes made up after the fact, my boats are a little different than how I intended depending on materials available or muse. With regards to the issues of visibility addressed in the rest of this string, I had a friend comment that he watched me crossing perpindicular to him,200-300yds away, I was surpised to hear him say that he didn't see my paddle,new bright yellow Werner little dipper(like a small Camano). I was paddling quickly but those blades weren't very visible on edge.