[Paddlewise] Eddyline Carbonlite

SKILLIANS_at_aol.com wrote:
<... I was intrigued by the lightness and durability of Carbonlite, and
the
$1400 price tag was way below the kevlar models I've been lusting after.

Anyone out there know any reasons NOT to trade in for an Eddyline?>

Well, "Carbonlite" (which is marketeering for polycarbonate, like Lexan)
is a nice material.  However, the price is closer to fiberglass than
polyethylene.  The full size Carbonlite kayaks run $1700-$1900 new.  The
weight, however, is about midway between polyethylene and fiberglass.

So, kevlar is substantially lighter but more expensive.  Fiberglass is a
little more expensive and a little lighter.  Polyethylene is
substantially heavier, but much cheaper and tougher (but can't be
readily repaired).  Polycarbonate lies pretty much within the
cost-benefit envelope, leaving no clear-cut winner and making the choice
personal.

Eddyline does tell you that its labor cost is low -- much closer to
rotomolded polyethylene than the composite boats.  An interesting thing
about these boats is how even Eddyline gets the thickness of the
material.  They don't seem to discuss their process at all, though.  My
guess is they spray the plastic into the deck and hull molds.

Ken Cooperstein



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