C&K mag #30 sp - Canoe & Kayak

OUTDOORS WITH
The Sea Going Kayak
The versatility of Sea Kayaks is one of
the great appealing factors for those
looking for fun and adventure on the
water. Sea Kayaks are craft that are as
much at home exploring inland
waterways as they are on journeys
along the rugged open coast. Only the
extent of conditions and the skill of the
paddler will limit the options for a
well-designed and maintained boat.
My first kayak was a ‘fabric on frame’ boat that my
father gave my brother and me one Christmas,
and from there our assortment of craft gradually
expanded. It includes a second canvas boat, an
18 foot open sea tourer, beautifully constructed
in moulded mahogany ply and known to us
as ‘KAOS’.
I now find that I am particularly at home in my
faithful and functional ‘Penguin’ which serves me
particularly well in both roles of recreational
paddler and Sea Kayaking teacher. Many other
boats that intrigue me, however my loyalty to my
existing boat and my deep pockets convince me
to stick to what I have.
What influences your choice of boat?
Stability
Stability is your friend, and whilst it is often
suggested that stability and straight-line speed are
inversely proportional, the difference in straightline
performance between most sea kayaks is
marginal. Yes, it is generally correct that longer
narrow boats can be faster than shorter boats, but
Hi Ruth
Greetings from the other side (of the world that is).
A couple of our Poole Harbour Canoe Club
Members have just returned after spending
Christmas in your wonderful country, bringing
back a copy of your mag for us poor people to
have an ogle at.
Looking through your mag, it seems that wherever
you go, kayaking brings out the same qualities in
people (or does the water just get to the same few
brain cells?) The main differences are the
spectacular rivers and coastline you guys have
(envy) and the aquatic wildlife around your coast
(no envy —you can keep the fish with the
big teeth!!).
32 ISSUE THIRTY • 2005
the physique and capability of the paddler are
more important.
Storage space.
A great appeal of sea kayaking is the ability to
carry more than just the essential items. Whilst
overall size of the boat will influence the scale of
decadence, it is worth keeping in mind that larger,
longer boats whilst giving extensive volume are
likely to be heavier and slightly less
manoeuvrable, particularly in rock gardens and
the surf.
Construction type.
Your choice of construction type is likely to be
influenced by the amount you want to spend, how
carefully you handle your craft and your creativity.
Current Options include roto-molded
polyethylene (plastic), or composite (fibre glass/
carbon/kevlar). Each has merits. Plastic boats are
durable and relatively cheap; glass boats are
lighter, rigid and able to be repaired with ease, but
they are more expensive.
Locally produced, vacuum formed ABS boats
plastic boats provide substantial weight
reductions; increased rigidity; the ability to make
repairs or modify using polyester resin or even to
customise by painting with readily available
automotive products.
As a truly dedicated individual you might wish to
create your own craft in wood. The most common
types of construction are plywood stitch and glue
or strip cedar. Both can produce strong, durable,
lightweight boats with monumental aesthetic
appeal. If you have the time and desire to produce
a unique vessel, this is a most functional and
rewarding alternative.
Letter to the Editor
We do get a regular number of people who
holiday in N.Z. and when they get back to the U.K.
having had a good time paddling on holiday, they
look up a club and take up paddling. Many thanks
for the recruits.
As a club, we are always keen to forge links with
people from other parts of the world. We have
even twinned with a kayak club across the
channel in Cherbourg. They have 2 junior kayak
champions and we have 1.
So if you have any readers coming to the U.K. who
would like to visit our little corner of the country;
they can look us up at www.phcc.org.uk
Here in Dorset we have the heritage Jurassic
coastline and not too far away there are some very
by Andrew Mount
Another option, fabric on frame, is closely linked
to traditional construction methods.
Contemporary versions are available but not
often seen in New Zealand. This type of boat is
light and uniquely can be folded away. It is
recognised and used by kayaking icons such as
John Dowd, a substantial endorsement in itself.
These boats carry a hefty price tag, which may
explain their scarcity in New Zealand.
If synergy were to exist between dreams and
technology, my perfect boat would have the
durability of plastic with the aesthetic appeal of
wood; the low weight of skin on frame and the
strength and rigidity of carbon/kevlar. To date
however it doesn’t, so I go by what serves my
priorities best.
If you who, like me, appreciate the shape and
lines of your kayak as much as its functionality,
try not to be too concerned to prevent scrapes and
grazes on your precious boat. It is after all a vessel
whose heritage is steeped in purpose, exploration
and survival. It is a craft that will serve you well
when conditions have become too extreme for
most other craft, if you have the skills to do it
justice. For some, this is when the fun begins.
I particularly enjoyed the last few sentences in the
chapter on finishing in Nick Schades book ‘The
Strip-Built Sea Kayak.’
“Carry it to the water and carefully lay the kayak
in. Paddle it from the shore with great care,
avoiding any potential hazard. Do this every time
you paddle until, eventually, the day will come
when, thanks to a lapse of attention, you will hit a
rock or stump that you didn’t see. The boat is now
scratched. Your kayak is now complete”.
good surf beaches. Our white water is mostly on
the rivers in Devon and Cornwall during our
winter (no glacial melt I’m afraid) and of course
we have our beautiful harbour. For the completely
potty there is the rodeo capitol of the U.K at Hurley
Weir on the Thames in London just 2 hr
drive away.
Finally a question. Why are almost all kayakers so
preoccupied with stuffing their boats with enough
food to feed a small army and then determined
to eat in the most out of the way place they
can find?
Happy Paddling
Geoff Goulden
Quartermaster for Poole Harbour Canoe Club