I want to complement Ron for up selling me to the new Capella 161. I had been looking only for plastic just because of having to launch on the oyster beds and concrete boat ramps around here. After you sent down the used Prijon, which was too large for me, I tried every small volume boat in the store. The P&H 160 seemed like the best fit in plastic. I am about Ron’s size and he suggested that I try the Capella 161 for size because he knew that it would fit me even though I wasn’t interested in fiberglass or Kevlar.

He was right. The boat was a good fit. The boat is a real pleasure to paddle, but almost as important is how easy it is to handle outside the water. It is much easier to load and unload and carry to the water without benefit of a cart. Remember I also own a Tarpon 140, so I know heavy. Getting used to the sea kayak is taking some practice since I’ve given up 7 inches of stability and a lot of weight.

I got my kayaking start in 2000 when you used to have the monthly demo days in York County. I was initially looking for a canoe for my son and I. We found that we liked the kayaks better. Of those boats above only Tucker’s and Fay’s did not result from Steve and me going to those demo days.

After fishing a charter with Cory Routh in Virginia Beach, I got into kayak fishing, and I bought the Tarpon 140. I bought the Ripper just to have something to play in the surf with and to run the class twos above Belle Island in Richmond this summer. I think the three boats will have me covered for a while unless I can get my son more interested.

I have also attached a picture of me in the Capella that Ron took on the 26th.
Thanks,
F. Thomas Carmine, Jr.