OK so I just heard about this discussion going on over here. For those that have not visited my site here are two responses posted by readers. I don't think I could of said it any better myself so I am quoting them.
Quote:
These are kayak fishing records we are considering. Paddle primarily, but generously expanded to pedal-drive by consensus. Any deviation from a launch-off-the-beach trip falls outside the category. Jim has provided a second category for these deviant catches - he has chosen to call it "assisted."
It doesn't matter how mothershipping to your fishing spot compares to sailing there - only that both are beyond the definition of a pure kayak catch
Quote:
Crux of the argument seems to revolve around emotions on comparing mothershipping to kayak sailing.
But the records are not that. They are simply--
1) pure, unassisted (no assist at leader), catches paddle (peddle) out from shore and back in solo.
2) All other records that don't fall into category 1
So sailing is not categorized with mothershipping...it is merely not eligible for category 1-- and if you want to participate-- use category 2. Just as someone helping to land a big fish (even if pure paddle out/in) would make you ineligible for category 1. Category 1 is also pretty basically the generally accepted rules that apply to most kayakfishing tournaments out here.
If you don't want to participate in the record portion-- don't. I do appreciate how the sailing adds to some additional complication-- but as mentioned it does add significant range (hence an assit) vs paddle/peddle.
Ultimately-- there is no money involved here-- bragging rights only. This has not been defined as THE OFFICIAL KAYAKFISHING records site. So, much ado about nothing.
For the record I have never in any way disregarded the sails or Hobie products. Like stated above, this was only in the definition of Kayak Fishing Records.
I personally think Hobie has some of the most innovative and creative designers and engineers working on their boats, which are a great product.
For the process of keeping
"Kayak Fishing" records I asked if the AI was a kayak or a sail boat. I have been taking the heat for asking the question, but I am not the one that gave the answer, readers on forums all over the country answered. And that answer was overwhelmingly that the AI is not a kayak it is a sailboat.
A fun boat yes, a great product yes, but not a kayak.
So then the subject of sails on any kayak came up.
Boogies question in the poll is a little misleading in that he feels we are comparing sails to mothership, which as stated is not the case.
Here are some definitions of the word Kayak
In almost every definition of the word "kayak" propelled by a double bladed paddle comes up, so when you are paddling it...it is a kayak.
Quote:
# A decked craft in which the paddlers sit with legs extended and propel the craft with a double blade paddle.
www.paddling.net/guidelines/showArticle.html
# an Eskimo canoe made of a skin-covered frame with a small opening and propelled by a double-bladed paddle
www.northstar.k12.ak.us/schools/awe/noyes/glossary.html
# The term kayak is derived from usage in arctic languages where it describes a long narrow hunting boat propelled by single or double paddles. There are a variety of spellings including kajak, qayaq, qajaq et al. ...
www.pouchboats.com/glossary.html
# A slender decked boat which is propelled by seated paddlers using double bladed paddles. Derived from the Eskimos.
www.canoeingdownunder.com.au/glossary.htm
# A decked craft similar to a canoe and propelled by a double or single-bladed paddle.
www.kayakingjournal.com/kayak-terminology.html
# Self-propelled watercraft in which paddler is fully enclosed and uses a double-bladed paddle from a sitting position.
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/ol ... nterms.htm
So once again in terms of
Kayak Fishing records where does the sail come in.
Well in order to give the Kayak Fishing Purists their place we have the true kayak fishing records.
Unassisted: Paddle out catch your fish with no help and Paddle Back, because of the popularity and because it is also human powered we also allow Pedals such as the Hobie.
The other Category was simply
Assisted: As in not eligible for the other "Pure" category.
Assisted as is you had some kind of assist over just paddling.
Assisted as in you used a sail to get there, an advantage over paddling
Assisted as in you have outriggers on your boat an advantage in landing larger fish over a single hull.
Assisted as in used a mother ship to get to the location a huge advantage over a straight from the beach paddler.
Assisted as in you did not do it yourself but had help landing the fish.
All fish must be hooked fought and landed from the kayak.
Here is the definition of the word assist
as·sist (É™-sÄst') Pronunciation Key
v. as·sist·ed, as·sist·ing, as·sists
v. tr.
To give help or support to, especially as a subordinate or supplement; aid: The clerk assisted the judge by looking up related precedents. Her breathing was assisted by a respirator.
v. intr.
To give aid or support. See Synonyms at help.
To be present, as at a conference.
n.
An act of giving aid; help.
Sports
A fielding and throwing of a baseball in such a way that enables a teammate to put out a runner.
A pass, as in basketball or ice hockey, that enables the receiver to score a goal.
Official credit that is given for such a pass.
A mechanical device providing aid.
Once again we were not in anyway putting down the use of these other sources of stability or propultion. We were just saying they are not in the first category, they had an assist. All of them in some fashion had an assist over the straight unassisted paddler for
Kayak Fishing records