My impression of these boats ?

My experience ?

My thoughts on paddling ?

My thoughts on racing ?
 

The MI-415 is as much at home in the flatwater as it is in fast moving water of the spring run-off in Northeast. It's unusual hull design provides loads of secondary stability without sacrificing speed. Of course, if you want speed in a touring kayak, and you're not planning on taking on any serious whitewater, the Voyager is the way to go. It flies in the flatwater and knifes through waves in a rolling surf. As for the Explorer, it's not my parents "duo" rec kayak (yes, my parents do have a 2 person recreational kayak). The Explorer is the big brother to the Voyager - speed for two. 

My favorite thing about Ace Kayaks is that they help to dispel that nasty rumor about polyethylene kayaks. No matter what someone tells you polyethylene doesn't have to be heavy, slow, and unresponsive.

To Top

I began paddling around the age of four. Started racing canoes in my mid 20’s. Moved from racing recreational canoes into C-2 Marathon racing. Paddled my first kayak around 1993 (it was an MI-415). Since then, I have paddled the MI-415 in lakes and rivers throughout New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York (and even on the ocean); and I still love the boat. I haven't had a Voyager for nearly as long, but still managed to get it out on lakes and river in NH, MA, CT, and NY (as well as in the ocean).

I Raced K-1 once before the 2001 season (Sea Kayak in Puerto Rico in '94) where I met and lost to Greg Barton (not surprisingly, everyone lost to Greg that day). The last time I raced prior to the 2001 season was in 1998 when I got together with my old C-2 partner to do the Adirondack Classic (AKA the 90 Miler) in a canoe (SCR). 

I raced K-1 in 2001, and ended up doing more downriver racing than flatwater (see the Chronicles for the details). I used both the MI-415 and Voyager in the downriver races and only the Voyager for the flatwater races. In 2002, I returned to my roots - flatwater racing. No downriver racing in 2002 or 2003, and it's early, but I'll go out on a limb and say only flatwater again in 2004.

To Top

There have always been two sides to paddling for me. 

First, I love being out there all by myself. To spend an hour or two on the lake with no distractions does wonders for me. I can do some of my best thinking there, or focus on nothing but the pure pleasure of paddling.

The second side is the paddling community. It's great to spend a few hours on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon with a group of people that enjoy the activity as much as I do. It's usually a leisurely pace with good natured jokes and a chance to see and try other peoples kayaks. 
 

To Top

Of course, the paddling community isn't just the weekend paddling club outings. There is definitely a genuine camaraderie among racers. It may may seem to be all business during the race, but should you lose or break a paddle, or flip your boat, there will always be someone there to offer assistance. And after the race, you trade war stories, grab a bite to eat, and start talking about the next race.

What other activity or sport can you not only meet some of the  sports' best athletes, but compete against them ? 

Since 2002, we have been proud sponsors of the Adirondack Classic. We are very happy to be sponsoring the Top Of the State racing series this year. We were please to participate in the first Annual Adirondack Experience Paddle Festival & Triathalon last year, and look forward to being back in Port Leyden July 31 and August 1 for the 2nd Annual.

Racing is great fun, there are categories for boats, gender, and age. You are usually competing with a few hard cores and a few novices. I know it's not for everyone, but everyone should give it a try. 
 
 

To Top