Boats and Gear > Boats and Gear
So, imagine I've been paddling for a bit and I want to buy some stuff.
Douchier:
Yeah, I think that helmets and BAs are the ones to really take a close look at when going second hand. A helmet can be totalled without showing it and a BA might not float as well as it should.
Boats cost a lot of money so I would definitely ask for advice on that one, maybe even bring someone with you to prod it a bit.
kmck:
Look carefully at areas that show wear.
Drypants: Look at the knees, ass and seals
Cags: Elbows, wrist and neck seals, under the arms. Check inside to see if it is coming apart
Helmets: Do not buy second hand, there a good quality cheap helmets but this is something that should only ever have one owner.
B/Aid: As buoyancy ages they loose buoyancy. If it is older than three years it can have lost half it's buoyancy. Test it. In most cases this won't matter but it something to keep in mind that B/aids have a life span.
Blades: Lenght, feather and size of blade face. Look for obvious scratches or cracks or any sign of glueing. Do not buy the biggest blade face you can. Try out other people blades first if you feel pain or strains there is a good chance that the blade face is just too big for you.
Boats: Only used on grade 3 and surfing is the boating equvialent of elderly lady owner didn't drive much. Look for wear on the hull, kettling (Creek boats especially kettle(bending in) with age around the seat area), signs of repair to the out fitting, plastic welds and of course try it out if you can.
Order to buy stuff: Cag, booties/footwear, long johns wetsuit(the dry pant/cag versus cag/wetsuit combo is for another day, I still have my wetsuit from when I started, I do not have my first pair of drypants), Neoprene deck, B/aid and finally a helmet. Now start looking for blades and finaly boat. The reason for this order is what will amke paddling more comfortable for you and what will benefit you more also if you decide to quit you haven't spent money on things you won't use at another water sport.
Garbhan:
--- Quote from: Douchier on April 22, 2012, 18:34:09 ---
Decks:
NRS - I might buy a slightly cheaper one than this to start with, but I reckon it's decent value
--- End quote ---
Slightly better deal That myself and I believe Rosin got
http://www.i-canoe.com/PEAK+CLEARANCE+KIT/PEAK+2011+CREEK+DECK.html
--- Quote from: kmck on April 22, 2012, 21:29:55 ---Order to buy stuff: Cag, booties/footwear, long johns wetsuit(the dry pant/cag versus cag/wetsuit combo is for another day, I still have my wetsuit from when I started, I do not have my first pair of drypants), Neoprene deck, B/aid and finally a helmet.
--- End quote ---
I'd be interested in some info on this as I think a wetsuit is the next bit of gear I will buy.
P.S Kerian, your wetsuit from when you started is in the boathouse...
Douchier:
--- Quote from: kmck on April 22, 2012, 21:29:55 ---Order to buy stuff: Cag, booties/footwear, long johns wetsuit(the dry pant/cag versus cag/wetsuit combo is for another day, I still have my wetsuit from when I started, I do not have my first pair of drypants), Neoprene deck, B/aid and finally a helmet. Now start looking for blades and finaly boat
--- End quote ---
I wouldn't agree with that at all. It's all based on the assumption that there's not much progression and on minimising short-term discomfort at the cost of performance and safety (which in the end will lead to much more discomfort).
It all depends on what your aims are and how much resources you planning on committing to the sport.
A wetsuit is something that you'll have for a while and then stop wearing the moment it becomes an option. They don't keep you warm enough and they hinder performance. I certainly wouldn't invest in one ahead of something else at this time of year.
kmck:
Really I have two wetsuits, one with arse and one without. I don't remember lending them to anyone, they are yak wetsuit blue on the inside with black on the outside.
A long john wetsuit does no hinder motion, a steamer on the other hand does restrict motion. If I know I'm going to spend a long time in the water I go for the wetsuit. If I am just river running I go for the drypants. I stopped wearing shorts after running through nettles to rescue someone.
The order is based on cost and compromise. In my case I bought a helmet soon after my cag, since I've a massive head, club helmets just weren't comfortable.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version