Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout

Posted By: Hugh
Date: Monday, 22 January 2001, at 11:26 a.m.

In Response To: Buying Kayak without tryout (Ron)

I have seen the Storm, it is nice, but heavy. It should fit you pretty well though a bit of padding may be in order. I have a Solstice GTS and it can't turn very quickly but can haul gear very well. The Storm has similar characteristics. I have paddled the Cape Horn and it is an interesting and fun boat. It would probably not fit 14 days worth of gear unless you are a minimalist. I have not seen the Kodiak though Prijon can make a nice boat.

My quick word on repairs is this: Fields repairs can be the side of a plastic milk carton and duct tape until home is reached. If you do not have access to a person who has experience repairing boats (as well as the tools) fiberglass can be repaired fairly easily but the products to fix it tend to be temperature sensitive. Glass can take quite a bit of abuse. Kevlar is much lighter (usually) as is the carbon/kevlar mix. It can be very finicky to fix (kevlar hairs can rise to the surface of the gel coat). Holes in plastic boats occur fairly rarely. Fixing holes in plastic boats sucks and tends to require specialized equipment. Removing dents is easy. Ironing or shaving the hull to remove plastic scrapes is doable but unless you are worried about performance or looks, why bother? Buy UV protectant and use it regularly.

The key to kayaking is to have fun. The 2 boats you chose that I know about are nice boats.

Hugh

: I am an experienced wilderness canoeist who is planning to purchase a touring
: kayak for use on big lakes in the north. I have paddled kayaks on several
: occasions, but have never owned one. I live in a fairly remote location in
: northern Manitoba, and will not be able to test-paddle before I buy. I am
: considering plastic boats for the durability. Primary use will be
: multi-day trips, any thing from 3 to 14 days. I have narrowed my choices
: down to Current Designs Storm, Wilderness Systems Cape Horn 17, and Prijon
: Kodiak. Any comments from folks who have paddled any of these models? (I'm
: 6' tall, 200 lb.)

Messages In This Thread

Buying Kayak without tryout
Ron -- Saturday, 20 January 2001, at 7:52 p.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
Tim Mattson -- Saturday, 20 January 2001, at 9:54 p.m.

Re: Durability
Ian Johnston -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 3:01 a.m.

Re: Durability
Tom -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 10:12 a.m.

Re: Durability
Tim Mattson -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 10:52 a.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
Tom -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 10:10 a.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
Paul nevels -- Sunday, 28 September 2003, at 8:45 p.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
Mark -- Saturday, 20 January 2001, at 11:04 p.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
FBC -- Sunday, 21 January 2001, at 11:41 a.m.

Re: Some Experience Here.
Ian Johnston -- Sunday, 21 January 2001, at 2:55 p.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
Joan Spinner -- Sunday, 21 January 2001, at 9:21 p.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
Hugh -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 11:26 a.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
Mark Drozda -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 11:51 a.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
mike M -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 7:31 p.m.

Re: Buying a CD Kayak
Ray -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 11:56 a.m.

Re: Buying
dave mcadoo -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 1:30 p.m.

Re: Buying Kayak without tryout
J. Byrne -- Monday, 22 January 2001, at 3:36 p.m.

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