Looking sporty with an outrigger kayak

I was thinking of learning how to sail recently. R's all gung-ho about buying a boat and getting sailing certification -- so much so, that it kind of rubbed off on me. I'm usually up for anything, especially when sufficiently hyped about it (or sufficiently drunk). Also, I've canoed for a while now, and I've even built a canoe from scratch (really, I re-built the canoe from parts purchased at a canoe store). But I have never kayaked anywhere, and I think it looks like it would be pretty fun to do.

And yeah, sure, the image of a guy with a kayak on the roof of his sporty car is something that really appeals to my desire to look sporty -- in the absence of actually being sporty. Also, I've always really wanted a catamaran, and have recently been reading J. Maarten Troost's Getting Stoned with Savages, wherein he describes living on Vanuatu in the South Pacific, watching locals scooting about in outrigger canoes (funny book, by the way).

So imagine my surprise when all the things I've just talked about manifested themselves in a boat you can buy online. The Hydrovisions boat is a little of everything thrown into one: a two-hulled outrigger kayak with a sail.

It's pretty cool, doesn't weigh much, and can be driven around on your roof-rack, with minimal setup time. Also, if you get bored with paddling the damn thing, you can hoist the sail. The big drawback is the price, $4995 plus $229.00 if you want the "sidecar" attachment, which allows you to carry the sail and extra gear (or a really light passenger). It's about as expensive as two really nice kayaks, but not as expensive as a pocket cruiser sailboat. So I'm not sure I'd buy one unless I could find one used, and in good condition.