Date: 10/9/2000, 9:31 pm
: Hi, Rod --
: My 13's feel a bit cramped in the Osprey std, but not *too* bad. Note that
: I'm always wearing wetsuit booties, not shoes, so if you'll be wearing
: anything more bulky than booties, I would definitely recommend actually
: paddling the Osprey in them to see. Even with booties, though, I'm more
: comfortable in the GE-HI. Otherwise, the cockpit is fine, and I'm bigger
: (6'4", 220 lbs). All of Pygmy's cockpits in their full-size boats are
: large, enough so that they need lots of customizing for a good fit, if you
: like them snug.
: Is it the multi-panel deck that makes you like the Osprey better than the
: Goldeneye? 'Cause the hull is identical (everyone probably knows this --
: just checking).
Yes, the looks and Pygmy's literature about the multi panel deck being out of the way of knuckles/elbows turned me toward the Osprey. If you haven't found the deck to be in the way on the GE-Hi, that extra foot room might make more sense for me. I've also been reluctant to go to the bigger boats, only because I've seen a number of comments/complaints about "too much volume", and it will be only me mostly, not much gear.
: disclaimer: I'm pretty much an early intermediate paddler also, so I'll just
: stick to the sizing questions, and hope some of the more experienced
: paddlers will address the responsiveness issue.
: The Alto's cockpit is tiny compared to a Coho, Osprey, or fullsize Tern. I
: don't know the CLC 17 lt or the Corona. Note that CLC will cut any of
: their boats with 1" higher deck (i.e., more footroom) for a very
: small fee.
I did have a chance to paddle a West River 164 for a few minutes, and it felt good, but was told I would fit a 162 better ("too much volume" caution noted above)-unfortunately, it was not available. Although I have seen plenty of good things about the CLC on this bb, I am inclined toward the Pygmy construction. Should I reconsider?
: FYI, and I hope I'm not blowing any surprise parties Pygmy has planned, but a
: friend who works there tells me they're bringing out an Arctic Tern HI
: this fall, with a higher deck ala the Goldeneye-HI for more footroom. If I
: hadn't wanted to start my boat in July, I would have waited for this, as I
: did like the Tern's handling.
: What area do you live in? I would really want to try the boats first,
: especially given the footsize concern (which I obviously shared). Maybe
: Pygmy can hook you up with people who live near you who might let you test
: paddle their boats?
I'm in Worcester (ie, central) Massachussets. Pygmy has given me some names. A couple numbers were no longer good, and I'm a little shy about calling up to ask if I can come sit in s.o.'s boat for a few minutes (as opposed to a volunteer from the bulletin board). I did visit and sit in a Coho in Worcester. It seemed ok on the feet, although it was padded out for s.o.shorter. Mostly, I have a hard time judging what a boat would feel like after a couple of hours (that Alto was fine for the first hour, but was killing my knees for the second!), so I think I may be better off with opinions of someone with time in the cockpit.
Thanks for the help- any other thoughts on these choices?
Messages In This Thread
- Osprey std and size 13
Rod Beittel -- 10/7/2000, 11:04 pm- Re: Osprey std and size 13
Al Mapes -- 10/10/2000, 10:00 pm- Re: Osprey std and size 13
davew -- 10/10/2000, 9:20 am- Re: Osprey std and size 13
peter czerpak -- 10/10/2000, 8:50 am- Re: Osprey std and size 13
Bill G. -- 10/8/2000, 3:16 pm- Re: Osprey std and size 13
Rod Beittel -- 10/9/2000, 9:31 pm- Re: Osprey std and size 13
Bill G. -- 10/10/2000, 2:20 am- Re: Osprey std and size 13
Rod Beittel -- 10/16/2000, 9:43 pm- Re: Osprey std and size 13
Bill G. -- 10/17/2000, 2:36 am- Re: Osprey std and size 13
Rod Beittel -- 10/17/2000, 9:15 pm
- Re: Osprey std and size 13
- Re: Osprey std and size 13
- Re: Osprey std and size 13
- Re: Osprey std and size 13
- Re: Osprey std and size 13
DEAN C -- 10/8/2000, 2:10 pm- Re: Osprey std and size 13
Rod Beittel -- 10/9/2000, 9:36 pm- Re: Osprey std and size 13
DEAN C -- 10/10/2000, 2:47 pm
- Re: Osprey std and size 13
- Re: Osprey std and size 13
- Re: Osprey std and size 13