More ‘Vintage’ Gear

So we picked up a Burley tandem last week that’s at least from the early 90’s, maybe even 80’s

This week I topped it.

Fired up with all my recent creek adventures, I started trolling Craig’s List for a good deal on a kayak.

My requirements were easy, maybe even impulsive – cheap and not too hard core.

I’m not interested (at least not now) in a serious creek or white water boat. I just want something convenient and not so stable a horse could float on it (my biggest gripe with affordable boats these days is they’re too stable, thus too slow).

When a “white Perception” showed up in Harrisburg I emailed the guy – twice.

Finally he called and said there’s a lot of people interested. Whoever gets there first, gets the boat.

That was at 9:30am this morning.

I was there by noon.

So now i had a “white Perception” and was headed happily east on the turnpike.

Not until tonight did I delve into the details.

The first clue was the 100 year anniversary American Canoe Association sticker on the hull. 1880 – 1980.

Hmmm.

Turns out it’s a Perception Mirage. They were made in the 70’s. In their day, they were badass. Now they’re old and liable to break, though described as a good beginner’s boat.

Sounds perfect.

It’s definitely got some “character”.

Jen says it just looks beat.

My guess is it will be the boat of choice for future creek runs (possibly Sunday is the next. supposed to get buckets of rain Saturday night).

Hopefully I can get the foot peg unstuck by then – little issue with corroded aluminum – and make it my own.

We’ll see.

If nothing else, it’s always an adventure.

– b