I had an opportunity to try a new boat over the last weekend that had some rather innovative features that I thought might be fun to throw out on the list. The boat is manufactured in Germany by a company called Lettman. It seems to be really well made and was a lot of fun to paddle empty - very sporty. The first thing which caught my eye was the way they dealt with the rudder. The rudder itself tucked up underneath the stern in a slot in the hull when not deployed. To use the rudder one "shifted" a small lever on the deck directly in front of the cockpit. You move it to the left to drop the rudder; you move it to the right to bring it back up into the hull. This reminded me of shifting gears on a bicycle. Very slick. You could lower the rudder just a bit, or all the way, depending on your preference. This system is reminiscent of boats with skegs in that there is nothing up on deck, it's all underneath. The rudder was controlled by means of "foot peddles." The peddles are adjusted by way of a sliding track on the floor of the kayak. They consist of a solid bottom which you brace your heels against, and then control the rudder with peddles similar to those in a car. There is a cord on each peddle which is easily adjusted from the seat of the cockpit to allow for variations of angle to the peddles. I found this system secure and comfortable. However, after a couple of hours I really would have liked to take my feet off of the peddles and stretch a bit which was not possible as far as I could tell. Still, not a bad system. The boat also had a bunjie net for the front deck which covered a recess on the deck designed to hold a pump. I really liked that net. I put my water bottle on the deck as a test and proceeded to launch through some sizable surf and actually found my water bottle was still on the deck when I got out! Now that was cool. Those Germans seemed to have put a lot of thought into this boat. Of course I would have to do a trip or two in order to really test this boat, but I did like these features which I have not seen before on this coast. Has anybody else had any experience with these boats? Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I had the opportunity to visit some Boot shops in Germany last summer. I was really impressed with the innovative (by US standards) designs. Besides all the features already mentioned on the Lettman "boot", the prices were almost 1/2 of a typical glass boat in the US. One of the neatest things was a hatch with a rim in the hatch that held a rubber bicycle tube (cut down to size) that has a presta valve in it. You dropped the hatch in and then pumped up the seal with a few strokes of a small pump and tha hatch was totally water tight. A number of boats had innovative designs for rudders and of course, all the boats appeared very well made. I'm surprised no one has imported these boats. cya *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
We have been quite intrigued with the German Lettman kayaks for some time and have imported a couple of them. The Nordstern, quite typical, is available for paddlers here in Southern California to try. Others are welcome to fly here or (perhaps more exciting) to Germany! We find them more suitable for fairly calm water rather than big seas and high winds (6'+ and 35 knot +) and with fairly light loads. With a 180 lb paddler and a kayak loaded for four days, in those heavy conditions the kayak was difficult to handle and keep on course, even with the skeg fully deployed in the rudder position. On the other hand, the boat is marvelous (fast, responsive, playful and easy to handle for normal conditions coastal paddling and surf landings/launches. With the skeg deployed as a rudder, it really feels as though someone is pushing the stern around during turns. Quite fun. The hatches, with their turn-know lever system, are fully water tight even in tough conditions. Joanne Turner -- Southwind Kayak Center, Inc. 17855 Sky Park Circle #A, Irvine, CA 92614 U.S.A. 714-261-0200 or 800-SOUTHWIND (800-768-8494) info_at_southwindkayaks.com doug_at_southwindkayaks.com joanne_at_southwindkayaks.com http://www.southwindkayaks.com/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
>We find them more suitable for fairly calm water rather than big seas >and high winds (6'+ and 35 knot +) and with fairly light loads. With a >180 lb paddler and a kayak loaded for four days, in those heavy >conditions the kayak was difficult to handle and keep on course, even >with the skeg fully deployed in the rudder position. Just out of curiosity, which kayaks would be easy to handle in 6+ foot waves and 35+ knot winds??? Ira Adams certe, Toto, sentio nos in Kansate non iam adesse. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Regarding the German Nordstern: > > >We find them more suitable for fairly calm water rather than big seas > >and high winds (6'+ and 35 knot +) and with fairly light loads. With > a 180 lb paddler and a kayak loaded for four days, in those heavy > conditions the kayak was difficult to handle and keep on course, even > with the skeg fully deployed in the rudder position. Ira asked: > Just out of curiosity, which kayaks would be easy to handle in 6+ foot > waves and 35+ knot winds??? Doug, the 180# paddler, suggests he would much rather have been any of these, in no order: the Current Designs Expedition, the fiberglass Perception Sea Lion, or the Valley Canoe Products Skerray XL. YES, these are very different craft, but Doug has enjoyed excellent paddling in rough conditions with all of them. Joanne Turner -- Southwind Kayak Center, Inc. 17855 Sky Park Circle #A, Irvine, CA 92614 U.S.A. 714-261-0200 or 800-SOUTHWIND (800-768-8494) info_at_southwindkayaks.com doug_at_southwindkayaks.com joanne_at_southwindkayaks.com http://www.southwindkayaks.com/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
OK so I've learned something. There are apparently some well made sea kayaks produced in Germany. I don't understand why we have so many boats imported from England, yet I have just now been exposed to the German variety. Why aren't there more of these around? Which brings me to the next question for those of you more well traveled types; are there other countries producing kayaks that we ( I?) have never seen? If so, how good are they, and why haven't any of them been imported here? Just wondering, Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> Which brings me to the next question > for those of you more well traveled types; are there other countries producing > kayaks that we ( I?) have never seen? If so, how good are they, and why > haven't any of them been imported here? My list of kayaks available in New Zealand exceeds 50, a small percentage are imported. There are also quite a number of designs produced in Australia. They range from indifferent to excellent. Alex -- ---------------------------------------------------- Alex Ferguson a.ferguson_at_chem.canterbury.ac.nz Electronics Workshop, Chem Dept, Univ of Canterbury Christchurch, New Zealand *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
KiAyker_at_aol.com wrote: > > OK so I've learned something. There are apparently some well made sea > kayaks produced in Germany. I don't understand why we have so many boats > imported from England, yet I have just now been exposed to the German variety. > Why aren't there more of these around? Which brings me to the next question > for those of you more well traveled types; are there other countries producing > kayaks that we ( I?) have never seen? If so, how good are they, and why > haven't any of them been imported here? > > Just wondering, > > Scott > So.Cal. Sea kayaks are being made in many countries. I know there are several manufacturers of fiberglass boats in Australia and New Zealand. I remember hearing that some were to be imported into the States; did that happen? Japan makes hardshell kayaks,they also make folding kayaks. Even Argentina makes fiberglass kayaks...there is an Argentine Nordkapp that is either a bootlegged design or under license. The British boats get a boost from the fact that they made a splash early on when fiberglass hardshells started to be made. Several of the better known sea kayaking authors are Brits and help to design boats. This certainly helps account for the desirablity of British imports. If Argentines started being seen as fearless paddlers and sought after lecturers and authors, we might see a horde of kayaks from the Pampas, models such as the Evita, Tango (isn't there a Tango out of the Northwest?) and Gaucho. :-) ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
G'day - Believe it or not, there are manufacturers in countries other than the US or Canada which have the ability to produce very respectable kayaks and in some cases innovative design improvements (I am not a manufacturer - although I can do a very tidy looking fibreglass repair job due to lots of practising bouncing of rocks and nose standing boats on the coast over the years!!) One of the overseas manufacturers hurdles to exporting to North America is that general product awareness of International Boats is not good (and fair enough, there are some great North American designs). The current currency exchange differences between the US and Australian dollar make for a very good buy if you are purchasing Aussie boats. They are generally less expensive to start with than the North American counterpart, and then with an exchange rate at the moment of one US dollar buying you $1.67 Australian, there is some good value here. As Alex Ferguson correctly points out, there are a variety of boats here in the Australia/New Zealand region and cover the whole spectrum of suitability to be called 'sea kayaks'. Some are great - some are dogs. Everyone has their favourites. Sea kayaks manufactured in Australia include the following brands (and these are NOT in any particular order). My apologies to any I miss. Let me know if so. Some of the manufacturer/builder have a number of different models. Some are commercial producers and others produce custom builds only: Mirage Pittarak Tasman Greenlander Puffin Southern Raider Inuit Classic If anyone wishes any further info or to correct me on any of the details, please drop me an email and I will put you in touch with the relevant manufacturers. Wayne Langmaid Central Coast Kayak Tours - only a step way from Sydney, Australia http://www.kayaktours.com rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote: > KiAyker_at_aol.com wrote: > > > > OK so I've learned something. There are apparently some well made sea > > kayaks produced in Germany. I don't understand why we have so many boats > > imported from England, yet I have just now been exposed to the German variety. > > Why aren't there more of these around? Which brings me to the next question > > for those of you more well traveled types; are there other countries producing > > kayaks that we ( I?) have never seen? If so, how good are they, and why > > haven't any of them been imported here? > > > > Just wondering, > > > > Scott > > So.Cal. > > Sea kayaks are being made in many countries. I know there are several > manufacturers of fiberglass boats in Australia and New Zealand. I > remember hearing that some were to be imported into the States; did that > happen? Japan makes hardshell kayaks,they also make folding kayaks. > Even Argentina makes fiberglass kayaks...there is an Argentine Nordkapp > that is either a bootlegged design or under license. > > The British boats get a boost from the fact that they made a splash > early on when fiberglass hardshells started to be made. Several of the > better known sea kayaking authors are Brits and help to design boats. > This certainly helps account for the desirablity of British imports. If > Argentines started being seen as fearless paddlers and sought after > lecturers and authors, we might see a horde of kayaks from the Pampas, > models such as the Evita, Tango (isn't there a Tango out of the > Northwest?) and Gaucho. :-) > > ralph diaz > > -- > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- > Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter > PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 > Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com > "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
If you check out Peter Carter's Web page: http://www.mpx.com.au/~pcarter/Voyager.html here he details a favorite kayak of his called the Voyageur. Has anyone experience with this kayak and how satisfied are you with it's performance? Regards, Philip ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KiAyker_at_aol.com wrote: > Which brings me to the next question > for those of you more well traveled types; are there other countries producing > kayaks that we ( I?) have never seen? If so, how good are they, and why > haven't any of them been imported here? > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
There are some excellent Kayaks produced in Sweden and also a nice (good bang for the buck) kayak from Estonia. The Estonian boats are being imported ...Baltic Kayaks I believe.. cya *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Near Rome, Italy, Raymond Varraud produces some great kayaks as well, kinda like the British kayaks. Not yet available in the USA or Canada. However, if you want a container full, I'm sure they could arrange something. If your interested contact him at varraud_at_usa.net Barbara Richmond, Calif. USA At 09:22 AM 9/30/98 -0400, Bob Denton wrote: >There are some excellent Kayaks produced in Sweden and also a nice (good >bang for the buck) kayak from Estonia. > >The Estonian boats are being imported ...Baltic Kayaks I believe.. > >cya > >*************************************************************************** >PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List >Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net >Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net >Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ >*************************************************************************** > > * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * --*--*-- Barbara Kossy Communications voice: 510-234-3479 fax: 510-234-6615 * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- *--* -- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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