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From: Evan Dallas <Evan_Dallas_at_notes.ntrs.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] subjective evaluation of kayaks
Date: Sat, 12 May 2001 12:11:39 -0700
Ken wrote:
<snip>
>>>    Eddyline Falcon 16:  <<<
<another snip>
>>>I devised my own method for sealing the hatches, and they were
nearly 100% watertight.<<<

How did you do this?  I've got an Eddyline Calypso with leaky hatches, where the
hatchcover is like a piece of from the deck with a gasket glued to the
underside.  The gasket simply presses against a groove in the deck and more or
less relies on pressure for a tight seal (I've added compression straps to the
outside that increase the pressure, but it still leaks (just not quite as
much)).  It sort of looks like (hopefully my ascii sketch will come though OK):

_____________
      |____|  _________
    \________/

Did your Falcon use this arrangement?  If so, I'd be very interested to know how
you solved the leaking!

Evan
Woodinville, WA.


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From: Kenneth Johnson <johnsonkw_at_hotmail.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] subjective evaluation of kayaks
Date: Fri, 11 May 2001 06:55:38 -0500
Most extensive list of kayak reviews I've seen is at

http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/

----Original Message Follows---- From: "Kathea and Ken" To: "paddlewise"
Subject: [Paddlewise] subjective evaluation of kayaks Date: Thu, 10 May
2001 20:05:04 -0700 Is there a place in Paddlewise where people have been
evaluating or commenting upon the performance of kayaks they have been
using? Or, if one wants to discuss a kayak, do you simply post it under
the name of the kayak, and post it along with everything else that gets
posted? Ken Rasmussen www.kayakfit.com

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From: WhiteRabbit <whiterabbit_at_empowering.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] You Can Paddle
Date: Sun, 13 May 2001 11:10:12 -0500
One of the local outfitters held a "You can Paddle" demo yesterday in St.
Louis.  I have no affiliation with the outfitter or the event.  I don't know
what the official tally was but I would guess several hundred turned out.

In this land of scenic rivers where aluminum canoes are king, sea kayaks
were being demoed about 5 - 1 over canoes and around  4 to 1 over whitewater
kayaks.  Quite a few canoers were trying out sea kayaks and a lot of never
ever's also in attendance.

A very gratifying number of younger paddlers and potential paddlers
attended.  A few went over, but no great excitement and all were handled
quickly and safely.


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are
putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.
     ---Mark Twain

ICQ#111665477


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From: James Tibensky <jtibensky_at_msn.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] subjective evaluation of kayaks
Date: Fri, 11 May 2001 13:12:44 -0500
VERY good idea!  Perhaps the reviewer could be accounted for by including, 
in the format, some simple info that would identify the reviewer's 
ability/experience level.  Include years of paddling, how long this 
particular boat has been paddled, compare it to other specific boats, etc.

The daunting question is - Who decides the criteria?????

Jim Tibensky

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

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From: Bob Denton <gulfstream_at_flinet.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] subjective evaluation of kayaks
Date: Fri, 11 May 2001 14:57:18 -0400
The difference between Paddlewise and Seakayaker reviews is that we know
everyone and everyone's opinions are valued regardless of their paddling
experience. The participation in this group is a type of BS filter.

I know that a boat that Sandy loves may not ring Doug's chimes.. By
contextualizing the subjective aspects of a review, it may make the
information more useful to those who are looking for a new boat, or just
a direction to start looking in. 

When I began the quest for my first glass boat, I never would have
considered a Nordkaap..too unstable, etc, etc, but when I did a test
paddle, just to see if I could avoid getting wet, I had no problem with
the boat. If a relative beginner had told me he had purchased a Nordkapp
and he was happy, I would have had a more open mind.

Basically, if we know who the paddler is, how they are built, age and
"intensity" as well as intent, we could go a long way towards
interpreting subjective likes and dislikes about a boat. What is also
useful are other boats they may have owned or paddled extensively, as
comparisons. 

This sort of harks back to my graduate days in Psycho-Geography where I
was involved in developing a metaphoric language to describe non-verbal
environmental experience, using automobiles as a metaphoric system. An
example may be to try to describe your current boat in terms of a
dessert. I.e. my boat is like an Italian lemon sorbet while the K-light
is more like a fudge brownie.

cya

 

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From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Hatch leaks [was: subjective evaluation of kayaks]
Date: Sat, 12 May 2001 13:09:29 -0700
Evan Dallas wrote:
> 
> Ken wrote (DK's paraphrase):
>
> > On my Eddyline Falcon 16 I devised my own method for sealing the hatches,
> > and they were nearly 100% watertight.

> How did you do this?  I've got an Eddyline Calypso with leaky hatches, where the
> hatchcover is like a piece of from the deck with a gasket glued to the
> underside.  The gasket simply presses against a groove in the deck and more or
> less relies on pressure for a tight seal (I've added compression straps to the
> outside that increase the pressure, but it still leaks (just not quite as
> much)).  It sort of looks like (hopefully my ascii sketch will come though OK):
> 
> _____________
>       |____|  _________
>     \________/
> 
> Did your Falcon use this arrangement?

This is standard for many Eddyline boats.  I have four hatches like this and
they are fine.  Couple things to check:

1. Look for signs that the hatch proper is hitting the hull (wear areas), which
would mean the gasket is not under compression there.  Solution:  carefully
abrade away the high spots -- should not take more than an eighth of an inch of
material (max!).

2. Renew the gasket, which gets compressed over time.  You must get neoprene
for this.  Eddyline should be able to sell you some.  If it still leaks, add
another layer of gasket material on top of the first.

3. Store the hatches _unlatched_ so the gasket does not compress during
storage.  Only keep the hatches latched when in use or in transit on your
vehicle.

BTW, this seal system relies on the hatch retaining a shape that mimics the
hull recess.  Adding extra compression straps may distort the hatch and
actually make the problem worse.  Hull/hatch distortion is the weak point for
this system, and if you thrash in surf or flop yourself onto the deck (during
self rescue, for example), expect some minor leakage ... a cup or so at the
most.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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From: Kathea and Ken <kayakfit_at_fidalgo.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] subjective evaluation of kayaks
Date: Sat, 12 May 2001 16:57:40 -0700
Dear Evan:
    If you look under "photos" in our website you can see a photograph of
the toggles I used to press the hatch down.  The website is at
www.kayakfit.com .  I used two gaskets, one fit around the edge of the
cutout in the deck, and the other was on the hatch cover.  When the two were
fit together the edge from one tended to dig into the other.  With the hatch
in place on the deck it tended to stand a little above the surrounding deck.
By forcing it down and rotating the toggles in to secure it, the hatch was
forced down fairly uniformly.  The problem with strap systems is that it is
possible to flex the deck and/or hatch, thereby creating openings.  Straps
work when the deck and hatch don't flex before the gasket material is forced
into a sealing position.  If the deck and hatch are light, straps may not be
successful.

best wishes,

Ken Rasmussen

p.s.  I have been able to find leaks by removing a screw and blowing air
into the enclosed space.  By spraying soapy water at bulkheads, deck/hull
seams, the end-pour area, hatches, and bulkheads you can usually determine
where the leakage is.





----- Original Message -----
From: Evan Dallas <Evan_Dallas_at_notes.ntrs.com>
To: <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net>
Cc: <kayakfit_at_fidalgo.net>
Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2001 12:11 PM
Subject: subjective evaluation of kayaks


>
>
> Ken wrote:
> <snip>
> >>>    Eddyline Falcon 16:  <<<
> <another snip>
> >>>I devised my own method for sealing the hatches, and they were
> nearly 100% watertight.<<<
>
> How did you do this?  I've got an Eddyline Calypso with leaky hatches,
where the
> hatchcover is like a piece of from the deck with a gasket glued to the
> underside.  The gasket simply presses against a groove in the deck and
more or
> less relies on pressure for a tight seal (I've added compression straps to
the
> outside that increase the pressure, but it still leaks (just not quite as
> much)).  It sort of looks like (hopefully my ascii sketch will come though
OK):
>
> _____________
>       |____|  _________
>     \________/
>
> Did your Falcon use this arrangement?  If so, I'd be very interested to
know how
> you solved the leaking!
>
> Evan
> Woodinville, WA.
>
>
>


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