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Success! No one can steal my beloved kayak now.

The beauty on the left is mine. I saved for years to buy it back in middle school, and spent hours with my head buried in Canoe & Kayak’s Buyer’s Guide or online, browsing different makers’ offerings. For any who are similarly inclined, it’s a Necky Elaho, a no-longer-manufactured 16.5 ft. touring kayak with an aluminum rudder, chined hull, and three hatches. It’s been five years and I still consider it the most beautiful kayak I’ve ever seen. This photo is poorly representative of its shape, but it’s got the most elegant, sleek hull imaginable, drawn up to the least awkward looking dolphin bow in the world (the only one I’ve found attractive) and drawn back to a delicate-looking stern that belies its sturdiness. The composite version was even prettier, but (alas) even more expensive. I’ve considered selling this boat to help pay for college, because I won’t be able to take it to California with me and may never get to use it as often as I’d like, but I can’t bring myself to really do it. Fond memories of our nights at a local high school pool, learning how to roll or perform rescues, or of camping trips long forgotten inevitably come back to me when the thought crosses my mind.