Originally Posted by
thredayevt
boooooo. This is the saddest thread on TGR. Ever.
Don't destroy long boats. They have massive amounts of retro-cool points. Other than my Burn, the last 4 boats I have acquired were all made before 1993.
Seriously, bring a long boat down a popular run and you will make friends. Men will give you beer at the takeout. Once you learn to stick a two-story high pirouettes, and women will swoon. You'll begin to make 6-8 laps on your favorite creek, and be home in time for happy hour.
And the best part is that you'll become a better paddler. You'll line up your moves up better and learn to use the water instead of fight it. That's because you have to when your boat is 13 feet long. Return to your creeker, and the world gets easier.
Finally, you will begin to race. You will lose to some 15 year old kid sporting a Mohawk who is paddling a wildwater boat, or a really expensive slalom boat that you can't afford. But you won't care, because your kayak is older than him. And possibly you too. Plus, the real competition is at party---over who's old-school long boat is coolest, and who can shotgun beer the fastest.
So, in summary, please don't throw that boat away. Or cut it up. That's what Jackson boats are for. Paddle it. On whitewater. And, if that's not your thing, find somebody who will. Post it for cheap on Boatertalk. Or, if you are anywhere near WV, I will gladly take it off your hands.