Re: [Paddlewise] K-light

Merijn Wijnen wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> Someone has given me a rather good offer for a used 5 year old k-light (about $800 including 4-
> piece paddle, but that is converted from European currency). As the seller lives a bit to far away
> to test the boat, I have a few questions for the k-light owners on this list.
> 
> Will the boat fit me, and leave some storage capacity for weekend trips (tent etc., limited amount
> of supplies, weight about 25 kg (40 lbs))?

That is an excellent price, whatever the year of manufacturer (the
K-Lights began production in April 1993)

Most definitely at your weight (listed below), you will have plenty of
room for gear.  I did an article awhile back on packing the K-Light.  I
weighed 162 at the time (now about 168).  And I was able to load all I
needed in the boat for 6 days of paddling/food.  I could have packed
more in the boat but I was limited because, for the article, I took only
what I physically could carry in public transportation (city bus, huge
terminal, commuter train, a walk to launch site) without using any form
of cart.  I think it appears on someone's webpage but I would be willing
to fax it to you if you wish.  After I did the article, I got several
people sending me letters or email saying that they had camped out of
the K-Light for 3 weeks in Alaska and northern climes that would have
required bigger sleeping bag, more clothing etc.  So it will work.  It
will, BTW, work for any small boat.  You don't need a big boat to camp
unless you weigh over 200 and therefore require more reserve capacity.

> I am one of the long and skinny variety, my length is
> 1.94 m (6'6''), feet size 13 (46 european), weight  80 kg (160 lbs).
> For comparison: I like a boat with a tigth fit, esspacially in the cockpit, e.g. a Khat-S cockpit is
> OK, K1 (old model) feels very wide. Feet space in Khat S is a bit tight, in K1 OK.

The foot pedals are certainly adjustable enough for your leg length. 
You can get more length by reversing them (a simple procedure: take the
foot pedals and take out the bolt holding it to its mount then reverse
the foot pedal portion) if needed.  Your shoe size means that you will
likely have your feet pushing up on the deck fabric.  It will do no
harm.  If you angle your feet a bit (if comfortable) you won't have even
this protrusion.  The cockpit is not wide feeling at all.  You can lock
yourself in nicely in the boat.  You can add padding to the sling seat
near your hip if you want more snugness.  There are all sorts of way to
accomplish this in the K-Light.
> 
> Will the boat with weekend loading still be nimble enough to handle well at sea in rough
> conditions?

Within reason.  Remember that you are in a boat just 13 feet long. 
Rember the scene in the movie "Jaws" where they first go out and see the
size of the shark and one guy says to the other "I think we need a
bigger boat!"  Human nature generally dictates that at such times as
rough sea conditions, one tends to want something longer and more
substantial feeling around them.

It will remain nimble.  When I was writing that article, I launched at
the same time with my fully loaded boat as a fellow in a hardshell who
was just packed for a day trip.  Within about a mile or so, he said to
me "hey, that's a pretty fast boat."  So I was not dragging him back.
> 
> Will the total loading slow down the boat so much that I will become a burden for my hardshell
> companions?

Depends on your companions.  If they are skilled, strong paddlers in
boat that are four and five feet longer than yours, then of course, if
they speed up and go toward the max speed of their hulls, you will not
be able to keep up.  But if they stick to 4 or 4.5 mph, you will be able
to.  The   K-Light, like many small boats, are agile and accelerate much
faster than longer boats.  But its top speed is not that of a much
longer boat.

 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."
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