I believe there's a reason why so many OI's get built, and that it's the same one that occasioned me to build a second one (after I wore out the first one), and make exactly zero modifications to it. Well, I modified the cockpit with a radical recess to lower the rim for improved laybacks, but since I'm a compact 5'-5" x 160 lbs I can get away with reducing an OI's cockpit volume. The hull is 100% as Uncle Jay designed it. It's a superb boat that does everything well; it's as effective on flat water as in the big stuff. Fast as greased lightning, I'm perfectly comfortable trusting my dearly beloved butt to it in any and all conditions.

A few years back, at the single iteration of the Gulf Coast Sea Kayak Symposium (omg, such a heartbreaking tale), there was a class for BCU Four Star headed out into San Luis Pass, and I could clearly tell that half the participants were stiff with fright and feeling badly outclassed by the conditions. Well, them's my home waters and general playground, so I thought I'd see if I could help 'em out a little. I put my paddle in the park, popped off the sprayskirt, and sat my boat smoking a cigarette and sipping a bottle of water while bobbing among the haystacks as they passed by. It wasn't easy, but I did it .... and heard about it afterward too. Just as I'd hoped, a guy walked up to me and said he was scared half to death but then saw me sitting there, and instantly felt more confident. Mission accomplished! (I haven't smoked a cig since March '07, btw, yay me!) I might've been able to pull that off in another boat .... maybe .... but in the OI I just freakin' did it.

Another quick tale: I struggled to learn to love the Greenland paddle at first. Worked on it for a year, and would've given up if it weren't for watching other guys and gals use 'em so effectively. I was just getting the hang of it when my first OI came online. When I took the GP to the OI, it came alive for real! I genuinely detest Euro paddles now, as totally inefficient things.