Short note: 1. K-1 arrived in near perfect shape. Minor fabrication problem with the coaming in that the grove seemed to be a little large on the left side, allowing the rubber gasket piece to come out easily. I asked Feathercraft for advice on keeping it in place and they said "no problem, we are shipping you a new coaming which should arrive in a couple of weeks" (some paraphrasing here). It did and fits perfectly. They didn't even want the old one back. I am keeping it for a spare in case of accident in lugging the K-1 around the country in airplanes. 2. I have now assembled K-1 and compared it with assembly time for my K-Light (Hypalon version) and I really think I can beat my K-Light time. The new Seal Skin hull and deck are VERY good and the fit is just perfect. 3. I have paddled the K-1 4 times at 3-4 hrs each time in no wind, light wind with gusts, and one memorable 20-25 knot (first time out) blow on a small lake which whipped up some formidable waves. Each time was a joy. The K-1 tracks well without the rudder and (anti-rudder fanatics can stop reading here) in that stiff wind and when paddling a very twisting lake extension (read: river) going very slowlly, with rudder it is highly controllable. The rudder is easy to deploy or not from the cockpit and I think I will be a "mixed" rudder/no-rudder user. With rudder, it turns in about the same way as K-Light but easier on the paddler. In high wind, the controllability was markedly increased. I will have to remember to keep the cables and assembly well Boeshield coated. 4. Since I am 6' 3" and around 200 lbs, the K-1 rides better and the new seat with inflatable lumbar section and form fitting seat section is very comfortable and customizable (on the fly, or Paddle). 5. The boat is very fast with little paddling effort. One friend here in the D/FW area who has a hardshell, was pretty tired after our 4 hr session and I was still fresh. (maybe the thrill of a new boat though) I went from "I can keep up, to having to worry if others could keep up with me." That is a new sensation. 6. If you are looking for a 16' 6" kayak which can be paddled anywhere, is easy to get there (even a high mountain lake if you can back pack 51 lbs), will be very dry (the new welded urethane covered nylon hull and deck is a superb piece of technology), be comfortable, not require learning how to roll to stay alive, and be the envy of all your kayaking friends <grin>, then you should try a Feathercraft K-1. I don't work for Feathercraft or sell kayaks but maybe I should <2nd grin> 7. The end since I am planning to write a full review after a couple of more months experience. =^..^= --Mel-- Mel Lammers E-Mail: mslammers_at_earthlink.net Homepage: http://melskayakpage.homestead.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri May 26 2000 - 05:23:29 PDT
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