Chekika wrote:
The AI/TI/sea kayak analogy is: "The easier, more versatile boat will put the pure paddle boat out to pasture." This law becomes more and more demanding as you get older.
(I'll preface this with "but then I know I'm not normal anyway so..."
)
Funny thing is, I've used my paddle kayak (a Pungo 140 - not even a rudder!) more since getting the TI than I did when I just had the Outback.
The Outback is pretty close to the same amount of time to set up - maybe a couple minutes more - as the Pungo, and it's pretty straightforward.
The TI - as much fun as it is - is *involved*! It takes much longer to set up / tear down. There are a lot more bits and pieces that go in/on it. When it's windy enough it can be a real handful at the boat ramp. It's just plain a LOT of BOAT when compared to regular kayaks!
I've gotten to where after I take the TI out a few times I'm ready for SIMPLE! I can lift the Pungo on top of the truck rack in one easy lift, toss a paddle, PFD and my "safety bag" (bilge pump, paddle float, etc) in the truck, and I'm off. Less than 5 minutes after I arrive at my put-in point I'm paddling my way across the water...
(The Outback isn't neglected either - it still sees the most use, actually.)