: I'm a first time paddler. Last weekend I went for a short paddle with a
: friend and his two recently completed Guillemots. He has enough experience
: to track quite straight. I,on the other hand,could not track worth a hoot.
: My guess, paddling technique has a lot to do with it. Had a blast though.
: Paddle On!

Paddling technique definitely has a lot to do with it - but the paddling technique (or lack) may be a result of the characteristics of the boat you normally paddle. Having recently had the pleasure of trying out Ross' Guillemot, I almost felt like I was paddling a large saucer. But then, my boat is a Coho, which tracks like an arrow and doesn't weathercock. Ross on the other hand did not seem to have the same problems when in the Guillemot. So, my technique was probably a little lacking, but I think that's mostly because my boat keeps me from having to have good technique to go straight. His technique was better, at least in part due to the fact that his boat's design characteristics seem to require it of him.

Chris