I’m getting ready to drop some coin on a new (used) kayak for the 2008 season and was wondering if anyone else out there has any must-paddle boats you would say I’d at least need to check out before making any decision.
Right now I’m leaning toward an Eddyline nighthawk 16. It’s 16 feet in length with a 22" beam and comes in right at 50 pounds. Material is Carbonlite, the polyethlene and mesh lay-up that is propretary to the Eddyline boats. Has just about the same weight as fiberglass but nearly the durability of a roto-molded material. I don’t plan on thrashing the boat but it’s going to get dinged while racing and portaging so I’m enclined to go with a more robust material than a kevlar boat that’s 10 pounds lighter but will crack if dropped.
Here is the nighthawk16 :
Other boats I’m looking at are Wilderness Systems Tempest 165 Pro, Current Designs Cypress, Kitsilano and Oracle GTS, Seda Swift & Shadow, and the Eddyline Falcon s-18 & Fathom LV.
I looked into the Ruahine boats but the cost to ship them from NZ was half the price of the boat! There are very few available on the secondary market here in the US. Also, I’m an intermediate paddler and have found most of the K-1 style and “racing” yaks to be a bit more than I can handle with the degree of confidence I have right now. Perhaps after a few seasons on a stable platform I can move up but for now I’m going after utility and fun.
Do you guys find yourself racing with or without the skirt on the cockpit? The package deal I’m looking at is the yak, a carbon werner paddle, bilge pump, sponge and skirt for $1700.00. I could save $100 if I forego the skirt.
At least for 2008 I get to race in the Masters Catagory (40+), I’m tired of getting my ass handed to me in a race by an 18 year old kid. Here’s the series I’m racing for 2008: http://www.bigblueadventure.com/pub/main.asp?daPageID=237
For flat water lakes you will be ok without the skirt. Its always nice to have in the gear box though if the weather kicks up. If your going to be paddling in the ocean or white water rivers you will need the skirt.
Simon River Sports is the north American Distributor for Rauhine, so you no longer have to ship them from NZ. I bet there is a dealer pretty close to you. http://www.simonriversports.com/english/index.html
The Huki is made in California and is a lot more stable than most people think.
Good luck in the Big Blue!
