A couple comments on choosing a kayak: If you're considering a hardshell, look for one with an oversize cockpit, as in a recreational or day touring model. It's much easier to climb into and out of from your sailboat. Something like the low end Otter is OK, small and light, but for a better paddling model, the Necky Manitou Sport or Old Town Cayuga 110 (which I have) are good choices. If you want to build your own, Pygmy Kayaks just came out with a good looking Sport/Recreational model. Inflatable kayaks offer some advantages: easier to transport in your car, stowable aboard your boat until needed, light weight, Disadvantages: having to inflate and deflate for use (made much easier with a rechargeable pump), don't paddle nearly as well as a hardshell. The hardshell has the disadvantage of having to be towed all the time. Yes, they're easy to tow, little drag, but in following seas they can become a handful. And of course, if you have two people on board, an inflatable would be better than towing a two man hardshell. The basic decision comes down to whether you're just looking to get to shore, or if you want to explore the anchorage, coves, and backwaters in your kayak. I like to explore, so I use the hardshell, but there were days I kinda wished I wasn't towing it. Larry On Mon, 3 Aug 2009 17:56:06 -0700 (PDT) W David Scobie <wdscobie@yahoo.com> writes:

for the 17 and 15 is suggest a kayak. limited speed hit when towing and easy to paddle. on my list for purchase ... sometime in the future.

using your motor on a dinghy will increase your costs ... you must then get a registration for your dinghy as it becomes a 'powered vessel'. also the danger in that taking off the 15 to put on dinghy ... or reverse ... you turn motor into an anchor.

dave scobie M17 #375 - SWEET PEA visit SWEET PEA's www-site - http://www.m17-375.webs.com

--- On Mon, 8/3/09, Blake Reimer <blkreimer@yahoo.com> wrote:

With thoughts towards the great NW next year, I wonder if I need a dinghy for my dimunitive-enough-as-it-is M15. What say? Do others use a dinghy for such locales with their M-15? If so, what are you using? With oars or motor(assume my 2hp can do double duty..) or both? Has anyone tried the newfangled Kaboats (strange, inflatable kayaks with a transom)? Am I any more out of my mind than usual to think I would need one?

Blake M15 IOTA

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