Stay 100 feet away from marine mammals. It has also been an enthralling world market since 1865 when John Magregors book 1,000 mile in the Rob Roy Canoe inspired the founding of not only the Royal Canoe Club in the UK, but the New York Canoe Club and many others in US and Canada. Well balanced for wind. [ Paddling Buyers Guide: See all Eddyline sea kayaks ]. It does need some minor fiberglass repair for a seat, and minor rudder tuning. And that seems to be what most of our boats are actually geared to doing.. The lake sits at an elevation of 1,660' and has a mean depth of 130', and an area of 1.484 mi. The Intrepid touring sea kayak is designed to be paddled efficiently at fast touring speeds, carry a moderate gear load, handle well without a rudder and be neutral in the wind. This little kayak had opened the door to the world of kayaking. This kayak opened my eyes to what is possible in a kayak. [ Plan your next adventure with the Paddling Trip Guide ]. That area in between is the little community of Cedar Point. It does drift a little in the wind, probably because it is so lightweight (<30 lbs. Foot pegs were added to the Old Town Otter XT kayak model, offering good support that adjusts easily with a push buttonjust be sure to avoid tracking too much sand and grit into the cockpit, since this can jam sliding foot pegs. -- Finis Mitchell Sea otter and osprey kayaks Last week I wrote about how I bought some new kayaks. Well into the 80s, if Fink saw a kayak on the highway it was probably one hed sold. Just for reference, I am 5'11", 132 lbs., and wear a women's size 9 shoe. Beans Maine symposium in 1988. From paddling a kayak someone made to paddling a kayak I made. #9. The goal was always to have a really neat way to travel in the wilderness, self-propelled, said Schleicher, reflecting on where his early vision has led him. The reinforced glass work in critical areas indicates some attention to detail (GL). Very well built fiberglass kayak. Things got off to a slow start in the East. If you can get it for under $500, you will get your $$ out of it if you can sell it to get a more modern boat design. Excellent article, thanks for the great read! Industry veterans remember the late 1970s and early 80s as a time when, if you had a kayak on your car, heads would turn. Schleicher recallsthat they built their first touring kayak around 1974 and that it actually had hatches and a rudder. And kayaks entered mainstream media and mainstreamconsciousness. I was 12 and Uncle Paul had picked up an old fiberglass kayak that wasnt made by a company. In spite of the good thigh and foot bracing, GL thought his loose fit in the seat caused him to slip out of position and miss a roll. Neckar pulled the kayaks off the car then tossed them on the sidewalk in front of the shop. You will no longer find Old Town Otter kayaks at outdoor stores since the model was discontinued by the manufacturer. The flare and volume in the forward quarter provide lift going into waves and a dry ride in sloppy conditions. Having founded one of the first sea kayak guiding companies in Maine in the mid-1970s I ultimately paddled many different designs of sea kayaks many thousands of miles. Old Town followed up the success of the Otter by modifying it with models like the Old Town Otter XT and renaming it (and changing some dimensions) as the Old TownLoon. TE noted,though, that the coaming aft is high enough that I could only do half of a layback before having my back come in contact. The seat provides some lateral support, though it does not offer a convenient spot for adding customized hip padding for a tighter fit. People said the ocean is too dangerous for a kayak. A solidly built glass boat is perfectly capable of landings on rocky shores and will hold up for years with some simple maintenance. Rudder is controlled by sliding adjustable footpegs. The bow line can also be rigged as a rescue sling. So suddenly everybody was able to make a living at it.. If its of interest, John Macgregors original kayak (now on display in the River and Rowing Museum at Henley) was used by his friend to paddle around the North Cape of Norway (the Nordkapp) in 1867. No other leakage was reported. Mike Neckar is one of the industrys most legendary charactersimpossible to reach for a magazine interview, but variously described by others as kayakings 8,000-pound gorilla, an engineering genius, a magician, and the last person youd ever expect to see climb into a kayak and make it dance. I am a fairly experienced paddler, usually daytrips on coastal tidewater and lakes. I bought this little boat already built, so I cannot comment on the building process, but I can review the boat itself. Extruded vinyl hull/deck seam glassed inside. Approximate Weight:52 lbs. It has a bulkhead behind the seat, but it doesnt have a forward bulkhead or any inherent floatation in the bow. Henry opened Ocean River Sports in Victoria in November 1981. So there have been much more complex influences from both sides of the pond, for both kayak design and coaching, the complexities and beautiful nuances of which would fill a book to do it justice. Any day on the water is a great day, Here musk ox pound craters in the snow with their chins to reach winter grass. Traveling any distance in the Otter will be a workout compared to longer kayaks. This article was first published in the Late Summer 2004 issue of Adventure Kayak Magazine. [ Read more: The NordkappLordy, Lordy, Look Whos Forty ]. ", Meyer said he's trying to figure out what the closure means for surviving independent retailers like himself. Thanksfor the info. None of Canadas big players were on the scene yet when Nimbus kayaks was born. I added traditional rigging to the back deck, with two toggles to hold my paddle and stabilize the boat, and now I have no problems getting in and out. Location. People were laughing at me basically.. Lee Moyer was the designer (and owner of PWS) Fiberglass, 16' 2" long, 26" wideGreen deck. One of the pioneers of kayaking in the Northwest is closing this week, a victim of poor timing and changes in how people spend their recreational dollars. [ Paddling Buyers Guide: See all rotomolded plastic kayaks ]. Bradley Meacham: 206-515-5066 or bmeacham@seattletimes.com, Location: 11011 Tukwila International Blvd., Tukwila, Sales: $1.25 million in 2000; down 20-30 percent since then. I just wanted to have a little kayak store that I could run for a few months of the year and I couldpaddle and I could ski. Inspiring paddlesports participation through quality coverage of the people, places, adventures, boats and gear, trends and events that make paddling something you'll do for the rest of your life. Read reviews for the Sea Otter R by Yostwerks as submitted by your fellow paddlers. The Sea Otter had allowed us into the world of sea kayaking. Sea Otter Kayak - $1,100 (Montgomery) 16' Pacific Water Sports Sea Otter Kayak. But as our skills improved, we realize that it was a great flatwater kayak but was a handful out on the Strait if the seas and wind picked up. Andy Zimmerman of Wilderness Systems (a North Carolina whitewater boat company founded in 1986) purchased rights to produce the Sealution for the U.S. market and went on to make the boats plastic version one of the worlds bestselling kayaks. No damage or repairs to kayak. KN57, 125-pound female. Incredible guys, great boats and awesome events and experiences. Desert Voyagers offers fun guided river trips in Arizona's Sonoran Desert. Some of the kayaks Ive built have done astonishing things, but its the next astonishing thing I look forward to. If nothing else, use it as a guest 'yak. The staff helped us into our kayaks and off we went to explore. However, the flipside of short length is a lack of speed and glide, and the Otter is no exception. That old story no one wants to hear and I dont want to tell. Wolf Bauer started up the Washington Fold-Boat Club, the WKCs forerunner, in the mid-50s. Laken Water SportsAsk for: Sales(602) 867-357016202 N Cave Creek Rd Phoenix, AZ 85032Enter this link to see more images plus all other inventory we have available: http://lyv.cc/X4GG72011 Sea Ray 205 SportPrice: $34,99 frameless is the newest and best thing created for scuba diving, snorkeling - forget full face mask that fogs up badly.selling$45, new frameless dive mask, crystal clear silicone, incredible fit and feel and will never leak plus fits ANY face shape and type. I am an 80 year old retired CIA officer who built a kayak from a kit in 1965 (Folbot, company started by J. Kissner, who had worked at Klepper earlier) that I bought for 99 dollars! There were absolutely no more than 10 people paddling open water in the East at the time, he guesses. In fact, Otter owners indicate that its maximum capacity of 225 pounds can easily be pushed to 250 pounds without compromising performance or seaworthiness. John Dowd founded Sea Kayaker in 1984, supported by the advertising revenue of a growing industry. 1984 was also the year that plastic kayaks came out, with the introduction of the Aquaterra Chinook, made by whitewater boat giant Perception. You pay 10 or 20 bucks for the rights to borrow it and go buy some fiberglassing supplies from someone whos ordered them in bulk. The weight was reasonable for its size. Outfitters such as Adventures By the Sea, Kayak Connection and Monterey Bay Kayaks provide renters with proper outerwear, life jackets, gear and a 10-15 minute lesson before you head out to paddle on the bay. How did sea kayaking become the sport we know today? off topicwhile you are enjoying Camp Lejeune you should go to Barrier Island Kayaks (between Swansboro and Emerald Isle). Larger manufacturers make kayaks with less-durable materials, Lee Moyer said, and can sell them for a fraction of the price at G.I. I worried that when the previous owner retired, these kayaks would disappear. The "Lee Moyer Design" decal could be found on any of the may kayaks and canoes he designed. The reinforced glass work in critical areas indicates some attention to detail (GL). The Sea Otter R is a kayak brought to you by Yostwerks. If I dont have that slight tingle in my spine, the anticipation of whats to come, then its not the kayak for me. Slade had started out by importing Derek Hutchinson Baidarka Explorers from Britain: When Neckar saw these he thought they were crap, which seems to have been a typical North American response to the British designs. Most were his Pacific Water Sports brand. Folding-kayak touring has its own illustrious history throughout the 1900s, but todays version of sea kayaking didnt take off until the advent of fiberglass. 18 foot osprey pacific water sports kayak and 16 foot sea otter pacific water sports kayak. I could get it on my rack without difficulty (KN). Pacific Water Sports Brothers Matt and Cam Broze started Mariner Kayaks in their basement in 1980. Cal, PWSPacific Water Sports. Antelope Point Marina. I met Mike Neckar there. But others, like Steve Schleicher and Tom Derrer, are still at the helm of the businesses they started three decades ago. The upswept native-style ends are still low enough to shed the wind, while the shallow rocker and long waterline give tracking and speed. Their new boat building business soon evolved into a paddling retail store and full-time jobs for Lee and Judy Moyer. The Old Town Otter kayak is a great boat for the cottage, beach or campground, offering worry-free durability. The first real glass sea kayak I recall being advertised in the UK was a glass version of an Angmagssalik about 1962, but the first I actually saw was Wessexs Sea Rapier about 1965. Hull Features Fast 16 foot waterline means easy pdaaling, even with 150 lbs. Would like to do a little research before I get serious about this kayak since, even with all the dust and grime, looks to be virgin (not a scratch on the rudder). This is a lovely little boat. PWS is no longer in business but operated in the south sound for years. Its easy to spend an afternoon making an Otter kayak more comfortable and functional with modifications. This classic sit-inside recreational kayak may be discontinued, but there are plenty of these compact, lightweight and virtually indestructible kayaks floating around on the used marketoften for bargain prices and ideal for beginners looking for a taste of kayaking. I made a little foam pad that I can slip behind myself when I want to rest, and I am happy. Adding in 2 Werner Carbon paddles and Dragonfly spray skirts. I miss the old demo days when touring and day tripping SinKs were the main focus. KN found the boat easy to get going and maintain moderate speed. GL thought it moderately fast. For TE, it seemed to be capable of a brisk cruising speed and a respectable, though not extraordinary sprint. Concerning some of the small details: We do not include rescue bungies because we have never considered them to be positive enough. [ Read more: Why The Golden Age Of Sea Kayak Symposiums Might Still Be Ahead Of Us ]. The biggest single thing that happened in our industry to make it become what it is was to get the pricing right, said Dowd. This is the quintessential beginner kayak and its hard to find a body type that wont fit in the Old Town Otter. The fiberglass bucket seat is removable for use on the beach. Get race and event updates delivered straight to you. There isn't that personal involvement any more.". I have two classic Seattle made Touring sea kayaks made by pacific water sports. It was a wonderful experience. People thought I was nuts, remembers Moyer. Someone in your paddling community has a fiberglass kayak mouldprobably at the local paddling club. We figured out how to get back in it if we somehow flipped at sea. Uncle Paul again went searching for a better kayak. Eddyline only built whitewater boats, and had no interest in sea kayaks until the Derrers moved to Seattle in 1974. When we launched, the water had been smooth. Kayak and Gear reviews, Guides, Stories & More, Intrepid Design Statement We were greeted kindly, filled out our paperwork quickly and then were outfitted and briefed efficiently. That was when we realized that we could be an industry rather than a bunch of guys in their backyards, said Henry. This SOT boat is a bit tippy (initially) for beginners but the tri-hedral hull creates mini-outriggers up and out from the main section of the kayak hull. As the shock cord at the hatches ages and loosens, it can be easily re-knotted to tighten the seal of the hatches if leaks develop. A solo carry was surprisingly easy. New and used Kayaks for sale in Sun City West, Arizona on Facebook Marketplace. Lee Moyer, 61, who has written widely about kayaking, said he hasn't decided. Similar Old Town Loon kayaks are available at paddlesports retailers across North America. You can feel the water through the skin, feel the ripples, find where incoming water changes the temperature. We launched our kayaks from the boat launch area . Fast sea kayak that can be used for racing. This little kayak had opened the door to the world of kayaking. The Intrepid touring sea kayak is designed to be paddled efficiently at fast touring speeds, carry a moderate gear load, handle well without a rudder and be neutral in the wind. TE may have to leave his size 12s behind if he tries it, though. The Intrepids initial stability is comfortable enough without being too stiff to set the boat on edge to initiate a turn. I have done some fairly stupid things and thought for SURE I was going to swim, but she always just popped right back up. It was the sort of enormous, high-volume, flat-bottomed cruiser that came to typify the West Coast boat. Since sea kayaking offers many challenges, the kayak should not be one of them. He sandwiched a long, wide piece of metal between two other pieces of metal with a single bolt. DearTim, So interesting to see the history of sea kayaking as you portray it. The Intrepids initial stability is comfortable enough without being too stiff to set the boat on edge to initiate a turn. This may be a good place to introduce yourself and your site or include some credits. Again, the first time I paddled it was at Lake Sutherland. They started the companies whose names appear on most of the boats were paddling today, and between 1974 and 1984, our sport took off. So, where are you headed? Someone in your paddling community has a fiberglass kayak that can be used for....: the NordkappLordy, Lordy, Look Whos Forty ] we went to explore and. 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