OUTDOORS WITH The Sea Going <strong>Kayak</strong> The versatility of Sea <strong>Kayak</strong>s is one of the great appealing factors for those looking for fun and adventure on the water. Sea <strong>Kayak</strong>s 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 <strong>Kayak</strong>ing 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 <strong>sp</strong>eed 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 <strong>Canoe</strong> Club Members have just returned after <strong>sp</strong>ending Christmas in your wonderful country, bringing back a copy of your <strong>mag</strong> for us poor people to have an ogle at. Looking through your <strong>mag</strong>, 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 <strong>sp</strong>ectacular 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 <strong>sp</strong>ace. 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 <strong>sp</strong>end, 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 <strong>Kayak</strong>.’ “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 <strong>Canoe</strong> Club
Andrew Mount and his father Maurice. Faithful ‘Penguin’ on left, with two canvas covered kayaks of unknown design. They were recovered in the late 1970’s by Mr Pegram of Whenuapai. Both are still in good functional condition. ISSUE THIRTY • 2005 33
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