Thanks Jim,

I bought it on "blind faith." (Not the Eric Clapton band, but actual blind faith.) It appears to be very well built, and the toe pedals are a great idea.

It's nice to know you had a good experience with it. I was also thinking perhaps I could make a wood blade to match theirs just to blend it with the yak, but for now I'm just happy to get a blade on this thing. My paddling partner paddles a 19' racing surfski and he's built like the incredible hulk. I'm keeping up, but it's difficult with me making so many corrective strokes while he can keep paddling and just twitch the rudder.

By the way, that surfski is a blast. It's got a rounded hull, which is a bit tippy, but it weighs just a bit more than a feather, tracks great, and it surfs great for a long kayak.

Have you tried it with bare feet? Just wondering how comfy it is. I've been using the wood footbrace from Nick's book, and it's great on bare feet. I hated to give that up.

Cheers,

Malcolm