Re: [Paddlewise] Pygmy Coho vs. Arctic Hawk

At 04:19 PM 6/4/98 +0000, Edward Sullivan 503-778-2429 FAX 778-2491 wrote:
>   Please compare and contrast. I want a light, fast, high performance 
>   touring boat and was just about to get a Coho kit when a used Wilderness 
>   Systems Arctic Hawk surfaced. Somebody warned me to watch out for flaws 
>   in the Kevlar process in earlier boats (not W.S. boats specifically). 
>   Any experience? 
>   
>   Comments on the performance of either, or building the Coho are 
>   appreciated. 

I just returned from a trip to Baiya de Las Angeles on the sea of 
Cortes side of Baja.  The trip was the maiden voyage for my just 
completed Pygmy Coho.  I can't provide you with great perspective 
because the only boat that I've spent enough time in to compare it 
to is a rotomolded sea lion.  As it happened, the first day out was
windy, maybe 15-20 mph from the NE but no swell.  The coho handled 
the wind waves w/no problem and the small difficulty that I had in 
keeping it pointed on course could be attributed to simply getting 
used to a new boat.  Later in the afternoon, having finished snorkling 
at a couple of the islands and eaten lunch, the wind shifted and 
came howling out of the W,NW.  We were protected from the brunt of 
the wind by an adjacent island to the north of us and set out for 
the opposite shore.  When we came around the edge of the island and 
were met with a 40 mph wind and swells of 4 or 5 ft. it didn't take 
us long to turn tail and surf back to the north shore of Isle Vendata.
We spent the rest of the afternoon hiking around the island where 
the winds were hitting gail force up on the peaks.  We spent the 
night on the island -- had packed for it, but our night out was 
made more pleasant by the arrival of some mexican fishermen who 
gave us beer and let us sleep in their tent.

Oops, this boat review is turning into a trip report!

There was a lull the next morning and we crossed back to our camp 
in about 20-25 mph winds.  I did experience reverse weather cocking.
Or whatever the correct term is when the bow points downwind.  Could 
be that I had my load packed poorly but I didn't have that much weight 
in the boat.  The Coho did nicely in the waves with the bow slicing a 
little bit and then rising over the crest.  

Could be that a more skilled paddler would have had better luck 
keeping it on course.  My friend in his Necky was also struggling to 
keep on course.

During the rest of the trip the winds were much more moderate and the
boat handled beautifully.  Leaned turns were a cinch, primary and 
secondary stability seemed very good.  I did intentionally exit (with 
mask to look at some dolphins that were following us) and scrambled 
back in w/no problem).  (I am sufficiently uncoordinated that scrambling
back into a kayak is a good test of all types of stability!)

I am very pleased with the boat.  The only thing I would change would 
be the hatches.  I used the Pygmy kit and it works fine, minimal water 
entered the hatches (couple tablespoons) during a very wet paddle.  But 
the cinch cams that apply the pressure look like trouble if you involved 
in any rescue that involves someone laying/sliding accross either deck.

The construction went fine.  Took me a lot longer than the estimated time
but maybe that is just me.  There are some nice articles on better ways to
do the foot peddles and recessed deck lines at:
<http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/btreecs/HOME.htm>


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