I'm between boats. For the past four summers I have been paddling a 17-foot Boreal Design Inukshuk. It's a barge. But I can handle it well, and it holds a lot of gear for camping.

During the winter, I came across a great deal on a 17-foot, 1-inch Necky Chatham. It's narrower than the Inukshuk. And it has a skeg (Inukshuk has a rudder).

My paddle is a Bending Branches Sandpiper Evening paddle. It's a wood paddle with a very thin blade. Althought it's not the lightest paddle on the market, the buoyancy of the wood makes up for the few extra ounces. It's a joy to use.

I haven't tried the Chatham yet. But looking at the specs, I should like the fit and the speed. Both qualities should be an improvement over the Inukshuk. And I'm tired of the rudder. It's dangerous in the surf zone. And it catches the wind. There's way too much drag when I do use it. I can go on but that's a whole other entry on why rudders are such a drag.

You read right. I haven't tried the Chatham yet. Yes, I broke one of my cardinal rules.

Never buy a boat you haven't paddled. Kayak fit and feel is very personal. You should make sure you are comfortable sitting in it and maneuvering it. A great boat for one paddler might not be so great for another.

Why break a rule I adamantly preach? It is such a good deal that if I don't like it, I can sell it and get my money back. Then I have my trusty Inukshuk. But if I like the Chatham, look in a classifieds section near you for a lovingly used kayak.

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