An upgrade
I got my first electric guitar when I was in 10th grade. Like most
kids forced to take piano lessons, I hardly ever touched the piano but
played my guitar every second I could. After a couple of years, I got
pretty good. But, I still couldn't play like Steve Vai (and for some
reason, playing just like Steve Vai seemed like a sensible thing to do
at the time.) I blamed my guitar. Steve had the genius Japanese
scientists crafting custom guitars. I had a $150 Yamaha
somethingoanother that I'd painted blue and green. Obviously, you
can't play like Steve Vai on one of those.
Thanks to a going out of business sale, I managed to buy a
glow-in-the-dark, yellow and pink, Steve
Vai Ibanez Jem 777. It had the classic hand grip, a fully locking
and floating tremolo, and it came with a case lined with pink fabric.
(In my defense, it was still the 80's.) No more excuses. If I
couldn't play like Steve Vai on Steve Vai's guitar, it was my fault,
not the guitar's. I practiced and practiced and was eventually able
to play most Steve Vai songs note for note.
I guess you could say that today I bought Steve Via's kayak.
I wanted a kayak I could take anywhere. I wanted a kayak that has
been everywhere and done everything. I wanted something I couldn't
blame for my mistakes. I wanted to know that if I failed, I failed,
and not the kayak.
The technical criteria were as follows:
- fiberglass - no more plastic and I can't afford kevlar
- must not be slow - It doesn't have the be fast, but it can't be slow
- no more than 22" wide - unlike my wife, I do not want a floating recliner
- I have be able to get my fat ass into it
The short list included the NDK Explorer, Valley Aquanaut, and the
Nigel Foster Legend. Yes, they are all big, British, skeg-boats. No,
I don't like rudders.
I found an Explorer on a trip up to Virginia and was quite surprised
that I had no trouble getting in and out. The problem was that the
thigh braces were too low.
I called around to try to find an Aquanaut and the only one I could
find as an RM version in GA. No thanks.
I found a Legend in a rental fleet at a place in Carolina Beach, NC.
I didn't rent it, but I didn't need to. I just didn't like it. I
can't tell you why specifically. I just didn't like it.
I then began the quest for a NDK Explorer HV. A place in Swansboro
had one in their demo fleet. Before I could make arrangements to demo
it, I saw that Appomattox River Company a 2004 demo model for sale in
Yorktown, VA.
The day I picked up the kayak was colder than usual with some light
rain. It was only fitting. British kayaking weather for a British
kayak.
My NDK Explorer HV