Ode to a Mallard

My first kayak was a Trinity Bay Mallard like this one:

It was about as fast as my family size canoe when I tried to paddle it solo and it was 30 pounds lighter.  In the canoe I had to row in rough water but this kayak I could paddle in rough water.  With float bags and a skirt I took up surfing in it.  The huge cockpit collapsed almost every time I paddled out so I learned from the white water canoers and added an electric pump.  As time went on this boat became my sons.  I think it is still the best sit inside 10 footer I've ever paddled.