Best Boat For
No boat is inherently better than another until you consider who it’s for and how they’re going to use it. We’ve put together a look at the best selling boat line-up for 2007 as it applies to the most popular boating scenarios.
Best Sailboat for Lake Wabamun - Vanguard Nomad
Also applies to Cold Lake, Slave Lake, Lac La Biche, and other
larger, deep water lakes. This magnificent daysailer has capacity for
six adults and simple controls for single-handing in light to
moderate winds. With the included spinnaker and responsive handling
you can hone your crew’s skills for your next ocean cruising
adventure. The Vanguard Nomad can anchor on a buoy, sit on a small
lift, or slide back onto its trailer.
Best Sailboat for Pigeon Lake - Nacra 500/570
Also applies to Sylvan Lake, Gull Lake, Buffalo Lake, Calling Lake, and other larger lakes with shallow shores. These large catamarans are fast, friendly, and boardless. Pigeon Lake is home to one of North America’s largest Nacra fleets. You can keep the boat on a lift or just drag it up on your sandy or grassy shore. Setup and go in just 15 minutes.
Best Sailboats for Class Racing - Laser (&Radial) Pro, Byte CII, 29er, Formula 18
The Byte has long dominated the local youth and women’s singles
dinghy racing scene.
The Laser Pro has a huge following from local clubs all the way to the Olympics for men’s singles. The Radial has a new lease on life in youth and women’s singles. The 29er is a challenging and fast youth doubles racing skiff. The Formula 18 is a spinnaker rigged catamaran with a booming international circuit.
Best Sailboats for The Family Cottage - Hobie Bravo, Laser Pico
If your family cottage is a place where family and friend come to play, you need toys. The Hobie Bravo and Laser Pico are both tough and inexpensive sailboats. And both are fun for one with room for two.
Consider the super simple controls and terrific initial stability
of the Bravo for adults who love to play and try new things. Set-up
takes less than 5 minutes! Consider the Laser Pico with
its easy righting characteristics and clip-on jib sail for fantastic youth
development opportunities and tons of fun.
Low acquisition cost, no operating cost and minimal maintenance.
Best Sailboats for Horsing Around and Hanging Out - Hobie Wave and Hobie Getaway
Made famous by their presence at beach resorts and rental shacks in winter holiday destinations such as Florida, Dominican Republic, and Mexico, these catamarans have something for everyone. Both boats have simple controls that give the novice and beginner an easy learning curve, yet there is enough performance potential to excite even experienced sailors.
The Hobie Wave can be transported on a car-top yet can sail away from shore within 20 minutes. It’s a great choice for up to 4 people (600 lbs) and has optional jib sail and backrests. The Hobie Getaway handles up to six people (900 lbs), comes standard with a furling jib sail and forward mesh trampoline, and has optional wing seats - the most social and comfortable catamaran around.
Best Sailboat for the Joy of Sailing - Megabyte
If you like the simple, pure image of a single-handed dinghy but find the Laser a little cramped, take a good look at the Megabyte. This powerful, single-handed dinghy has fantastic controls for tuning the sail shape and an ample cockpit that accommodates a larger sailor and taking along a friend. Although not yet well established as a racing class, why not start a fleet together with friends along the beach.
Best Recreactional Kayak - Kasko, Ookpik, and Ookpik Duo by Boreal Design
Every kayak is designed to meet a particular use or application.
In the case of the Kasko, the particular use is having fun in a broad range
of settings - day use and light overnights in lakes, rivers (up
to Class 3), ocean bays, and inlets. This versatile boat strikes a
balance between comfort, stability, speed, and tracking that
make it well suited across a broad spectrum of novice to intermediate
paddlers. Oh yeah, it’s affordable too.
The Ookpik has similar characteristics to the Kasko but a slightly larger cockpit opening. The Ookpik Duo has a large cockpit and two seats.
Best Performance Touring Kayaks - Muktuk, Fjord, Esperanto (tandem), and Alvik (fiberglass)
Sleek graceful boats with comfort for full days on the water and capacity for several nights of camping. These boats are good for the soul. Boreal Design is Canada’s own premier designer and manufacturer of high performance kayaks. Choose the Muktuk, Fjord, or Esperanto for versatility and toughness, choose the Alvik for unmatched beauty.
Best Relationship Kayak - Hobie Mirage Tandem and Mirage Outfitter
The Hobie Mirage Drive series of pedaling kayaks is becoming legendary as the go farther, go faster answer to kayaking. We’ve been selling this product line to get everybody from 8 year olds to 80 year olds playing on the water. And it’s a great equalizer when mismatched rhythm and power of paddlers is involved - partners in the same Hobie Mirage Tandem don’t need to coordinate and weaker paddlers pedalling a Mirage Kayak can easily keep up with strong paddlers in a traditional kayak or canoe. The Hobie Mirage Outfitter seats two but is shorter and wider than the Mirage Tandem for higher stability and carrying capacity.
Best Fishing Kayak - Hobie Mirage Sport, Outback, and Adventure
A walking tempo on the Hobie Mirage Drive will get you 2-3 mph of speed without working up a sweat. So it’s easy to get to your favorite fishing hole and your hands are free for trolling along the way. These boats have many trim details optimized for fishing and other on-the-water activities such as outdoor photography and scuba diving. Optional sail kit gives a third power alternative - paddle, pedal, or sail!
Maybe our Best Buy categories don’t quite match your picture of sailing or paddling. No problem, drop in to see us at Nautical Reach and we’ll figure out your very own Best Boat for 2007.