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> It's too bad that it's difficult to find shorter boats (around 16 ft) that
> aren't also very wide (24" +). Is there some technical reason one
> can't build a 16 foot boat that's sleek and narrow?
Peter, I think the reason is mostly misguided fashion, the perceived market and the comparative lack of smaller sized designer/paddlers in the US. There are a few british boats that are 16ft and narrow. Wilderness Systems Tchaika is the only US production boat I can think of that is designed for the smaller paddler. Most 120 lb women are more stable than the average 150 man, (no tangental comments please,talking physics here, and I'm a guy anyway) so I see no reason for a 23" wide boat for a skilled 120lb paddler. The pygmy 13 would be a fine choice for your wife, don't know about the Tern 14, but it would probably be good too. A lighter paddler doesn't have to have a 16 ft boat unless they are really cranking out the speed, at most cruising speeds the smaller paddler will get the benefit of less wetted area as well as a boat that is easier to manuever in rough stuff. Been on a few paddles with strong paddlers in 13ft coasters that left us folks in "sea kayaks" breathing awfully hard.
After getting used to my North Bay, I think a 15'x 19" boat for a 100lb paddler would be cool. I think the problem with sizing boats for lighter paddlers is that the range of acceptable weights is also smaller. So a boat that is good for a 120 person isn't necessarily acceptable for a 90 lb person, unlike the average(?) 17ft boat that can fit a 150-220 lb paddler.
My 80 daughter wasn't able to roll in the 22"wide pygmy 13, with the more proportional Poquito(19") she had no problem. Humbling,she learned in 15 minutes. hey a guys gotta brag about something.
Now that I think about it the Tern 14 would probably be the boat for her, allowing for extra carrying capacity.
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Guillemot Kayak - High
Performance Wooden Sea Kayak Designs
