There have been a couple of races and training paddles lately where the subject of 'the right boat' have come up over and over. 

Firstoff, there is no 'one boat to do it all' regardless of what manufacturers, designers and marketeers would have you think.  The boat that I enjoy paddling the most isn't necessarily the right boat for Lake Superior, nor for Rice Creek (although it's pretty fun there).

Second, there are 'wrong boats'.  Sprint boats on Lake Superior.  Anything with an underhung rudder on the Wisconsin River.  12 foot pokey boats in a 26mile race.  Lots of ways to hit this one.

 So I continue my search for  the right *combination* of boats.  I'm sitting at 3 right now - a fast, tippy ICF spec K-1 for small lakes and rivers.  A 21' surf ski for big water races, and an 18' "touring rules" boat for days I just want to paddle and not swim.  Greg Barton just won the big race 'out east' - the Blackburn, in an Epic 18.  Not the fastest boat in all cases, but one of the most versatile, and it was Greg.  Sort of like saying Lance Armstrong can ride a bike...

On the non-racing side of things, why not have a couple of boats.  I talked with a guy the other night who has 4 plastic boats.  Nothing wrong with plastic, mind you.  He knew exactly what he wanted, needed, and had.   He has two boats that can go on Superior, so he can invite a friend.  And he has two others that are a little more 'stable' so he can introduce his non-paddlng friends to the sport.  His idea of a fun weekend was to convince 3 other people to go up to St Croix State Park, camp out for the weekend, and paddle the river.  What an ambassador.  He also told me what he does for a living.  If he had a high end composite boat, that would be it - one boat.  No spares for friends.   And even if you have two, do you want to hear someone else run your $3000 beauty up on the rocks?  Nah. 

So I'll continue to espouse the idea of get the right boat for what you do.  No sense getting a top end composite boat if all you do is paddle around on the local creeks, and no sense getting an expedition touring boat for that one weekend a year on Superior - RENT ONE instead.  Buy boats that are fun.  Buy boats that you want to paddle - a lot.  And above all, get what you need.