A bit of searching and I think you'll find some cracked boats - but not as much discussion, as far more creeking open boaters have seemingly found the internet between then and now This is certainly not the first time we've discussed cracked boats on the internet....
I'm not aware of any statistics on either, and given the number of different manufacturers that made the Prelude and SF, I'd be shocked if anyone had them anymore.
Sir Adam wrote:Lets remember a few things at this point:
GENERAL thought:
1) We're talking about creeking - if you look at open boats vs. kayaks in general I think you are right as to expectations. Add in abuse on rocks (intended or otherwise) and the inherent design of a canoe (you can't use the deck to help make the boat stronger as there isn't one...) and I think they hold up remarkably well overall, even compared to kayaks (Nomad? Mongoose? You fill in the blank of beloved designs that you or someone you know has cracked creeking and welded numerous times) (again, this is a GENERAL statement, not meant to reference the L'Edge other than the type of water it is being used on.)
SPECIFIC thought:
2) More importantly, it is my understanding from posts here that Esquif has been contacted and is working on it, or however you wish to phrase it. Comments for, or against them or any owners really have no place yet until this is resolved one way or another.
Just my .02
*:)* ditto *:)*
Speculation without quantifiable and verifiable results, complete with control and non control groups is just that.... Speculation. Of course there come's a point when accumulated speculation seems to indicate a problem... I just don't see it yet. There's type of rock abuse (think quartzite, rock spins, or flat boofs) temperature concerns (muy frio), pilot error (and experience), environment concerns (dropping a boat full of water - twenty feet onto rock)... and so on. Less we also fail to consider, that something which also comes along the with increased popularity, is a certain inherent number of failures.
Time will tell... I hope to see 7-8-9 year old L'edges like we see with the Old-Pyranha hulls. The database is still too small... I'm simply glad to see (repairable) PE hulls being made. Because with cross-linked or ABS, then it would be more planned-obsolescence.
PS - I have no dawg in this hunt, my 3x welded near decade old S'Fly is still bouncing around... and there's a spare never used SuperFly to go.
This is certainly not the first time we've discussed cracked boats on the internet....
